The Reason Why
... I'm reminded time and again that it's all worth it.
... the waiting and watching and the worry. ... the feed bills and the vet and the worry. ... and the dreaming and the worry ...
- but when one is born, you remember there's nothing softer than the feel of brand new fur and nothing sweeter than the smell of their warm milk-breath.
- you have the years of just being together and learning to be friends while learning to halter and lead and get hoof-trimmed and get in the trailer.
- then you have those first short, easy rides. Miree's driving as well, so we've been doing a little of that.
- and then you have the big day when you take them in public for the first time and put a little pressure on, always of course, in front of a crowd.
When one comes through as well as Miree did last weekend, there is no feeling in the world that can compare.
We had a great day her first day shooting. She showed herself to be settled and sane and willing -- and gave a little more with each stage, showing improvement throughout the day -- but more than just a good day, Saturday was both a culmination and a starting point of what I dreamed of when I put her sire and dam together almost five years ago.
6 comments:
I remember you posting that first picture of you and Miree in the hay, and of the initial worries about her. And the discussions about her color. It's really interesting to see how as she's aged she's gotten darker.
I really appreciate your blog. I love to write, I'm good at it in fact. But having purchased your "Mistakes" volume about horses, and reading your site, boy, sometimes I amaze myself!
Do you think everyone who owns a horse grows to emotionally connected to them? Do you think it's possible for some types to be immune to the bond you so clearly live and breathe?
Gosh - time has flown!! I, too, am intrigued by Miree's color. I wonder if she'll continue to darken.
Aw - congratulations!
(We've really got to check this shooting activity out when Midge is back on-line... but in the meantime I did get the donkey cart hitched up this weekend => BIG FUN!)
Leah, yes, we and she have come a long way. You're exactly right about all the concern and worry about her color and if she might have any associated issues. It's something that stayed in the back of my head for a long time and has only gradually faded away over time.
Cathy!!! YES! Time goes by so quickly. I need to do a separate post about her color. I don't have any idea what she'll look like in another year, but I'm looking forward to finding out.
Val, my local club is having monthly practices and I'm trying to get cart shooting added as a division. I'll email you privately.
What a great picture in the hay. Such sweet sentiments :)
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