Early Winter,Horses and Harmony

It is Sunday morning on the farm,it is early and it is a bit cold, the wood stove is low and hasn't really begun to warm the house yet. Outside the weather is typical early winter and is proving the weatherman wrong, once again,as the sun is making a hesitant appearance, over the snow dusted landscape. There is a chill in the air,partially from the temperature and partially because it was wet yesterday and the, now frozen, dampness has permeated everything, with chilling effect. It is a  morning for warm blankets and soft kisses, coffee in a steaming mug and kittens in a bundle of furry, furious activity. The purpose,either to keep warm or to entertain themselves in the near empty barn. The warm blankets were long ago cast aside and the kisses were nuzzles from the waiting horses, but it is all part of the morning rituals, around here. Darla is off somewhere doing her usual best to get lost from view and will no doubt need calling, momentarily,but in the interim, I am drawn to the warmth and companionship of the horses. Most have finished their grain and are poking away at their morning hay ration, with one eye on it and the other on me,watching for the onslaught of the curry and comb, to remove the burrs and tangles, from their manes and tails. Sassy, the Belgian mare will need the most work and she is waiting by the gate, knowing that the sooner she starts, the sooner I will let her go back, to her hay and her roaming. Andy is still eating grain and cares not a wit for the impending brushing. Young Clydesdale stallions are not overly impressed with grooming, when there is hay to eat, or cats to watch,sauntering across their paddock,or any other time ,for that matter. He will not be a problem, but he won't come running. Hanna, likes the attention. She is the most laid back of my four and puts up with the most, as well. She is a Quarter Horse and a good one. She is, also, no stranger to the cold. As a foal, in Saskatchewan, she lost the tips of her ears to frostbite,all part and parcel of ranch life on the prairies. She will eat or follow me around until it is her turn and then she will stand quietly,for the most part,until we are done. The kid, on the block, is another story. That would be Joey,a Canadian and though technically not a kid at all, he thinks he is. He is fairly small, but well muscled and shiny black and very handsome,with no need of grooming, thank you all the same. He will succumb,begrudgingly,but not without trying to walk away about every five minutes and turning his head as if to remind you that he knows you are there,but he is hoping you have gone away. The truth is, that, he loves to be fussed over as much as any of them and especially, if you have a sugar cube or an apple to share.
Working over these four legged companions brings an inner calm and grace to the soul. Their gaze, through deeply glistening eyes,sees much deeper than the human, with a curry comb and it shows. Gazing into a horses eyes, one sees things that are often only felt, trust, understanding,affection,caring,healing. Horses take you at face value,if you are what you appear to be they are satisfied. They will welcome you, into their moment and trust you, to honour the bond. Horses are great listeners, they are not judgemental, about what they hear and they hear the soul and the heart of your words, without need to understand the language spoken. Horses will take you places you have never been and may never go again,simply because there will be no need. All a horse ever wants, from you, is to know they can trust you. Trust you to lead them,care for them,protect them and be what they believe you to be. In return, they will give you 110% of themselves,in every way and forever. There is not a lot in this world, that you can count on, to that, or to any degree, other than, perhaps, yourself.