It has been several days since our friends left for their new home. I admit I was worried how our horses would fare without them. Penny was upset the first day or two, she called for her friend Lucy in the morning. It broke my heart. But she seems fine now. I suspect she still misses her friend greatly but she is adapting. 

I don’t want to anthropomorphize too much, that is never fruitful. Horses, like people, are resilient. So long as they continue to have the love and friendship of those around them, and the comfort of their home as a safe and nurturing place to be, all is well. They are not so unlike us in that regard. Our horses certainly know they are loved and well cared for.

After several days of rain we are facing a beautiful fall week, with warm temperatures and sunshine. The grass is still growing. And this weekend is Thanksgiving. I have much to be thankful for. I shall indeed enjoy this holiday with my family. I hope you all do too! Ride well. Happy Holidays ahead!

The first picture you see below is how Penny and I started our lesson on Wednesday. As you can see, her neck, poll and jaw are very stiff and straight. She is not supple or stretching over her back. In the second photo you can see how we ended our lesson. A very different story. Notice how relaxed she is across her topline, her lovely neck is gently arched and relaxed. Her jaw is soft and supple, her ears alert but relaxed, she is chewing the bit comfortably. She is bent all through the back. She looks like a very different horse.

What Joe has taught me to do is to give, give, give, softer with the hands, always giving and never taking. I work to encourage her to want to stretch forward. I bend her gently, not just in the head, but encouraging her to bend from the base of her neck. It works.

When we got to the place we were in Photo 2, Joe said, “I think we’ll leave her by that.” And, just as he predicted, the next time I got on her, that is how I found her, soft and yielding, ready to stretch and chew. Thank you Joe, from both of us! (And thank you Don and Judy for the pictures I didn’t know you were taking.)

This weekend Ann and her school horses left Glen Golden to start their lives in their own place. We wish Ann all the best for a successful business. Sadly though, we must say goodbye to her horses. They will be so greatly missed. Best wishes to them as they start their new lives. Many thanks from us to all of the students and parents who have been with us for these last years. It has been a pleasure to get to know you all. Don’t be strangers.