Sunday Morning at a New Barn

I have a new horse in my life, thanks to a friend who hooked me up with the owner.

I’d been out and had ridden a couple of times, but wanted Bob to see where I go on Thursdays. So on a gilded Sunday morning, Bob brought his camera and we went out to the new barn.

I grabbed Sophie’s halter and we walked to her pasture.

We were basking in the day before we even got there.

I traipsed through the pasture towards the four red mares, not certain which one was Sophie.

Here she is! Even though they all have white blazes, Sophie is the only one with no white feet.

I’m as happy as a child out here. Life doesn’t get any better than this!

Horseman Bob and sweet Sophie. She is very easygoing for a thoroughbred to which I credit the steady hand of her owner who bought her when she was four and has had her for nine years.

Sophie is perhaps searching Bob’s pockets for treats. Bob’s expression says, “What treats?”

Thirty years ago, Bob bought a chestnut mare with the same shimmering coat color as Sophie.

We named her Penny because, in the right light, she shone like copper.

Not long after Bob bought Penny, we traded horses and she became mine.

As I led Sophie up to the barn, another horse expressed interest, so I encouraged her to move along by flicking the end of her lead rope towards her rear end.

When I brushed Sophie, I noticed that she was sporting a few bites (pasture buddy nibbles) between her flank and the top of her rump. I did not notice they were framed by a heart until after we got home and looked at Bob’s photos.

The sixty-something acre property includes a fishing pond and a hay field.

There are horses of all different colors, breeds, and ages on the property, including several mules. This is a cute pony who came up to tell Bob “Hello.”

A pretty grey horse ambled over as well.

This is a Haflinger, a sturdy breed known for their amicable disposition. They do not get very tall, which is super nice for older riders—easier to get on and off, not so far to fall.

I believe you can see your soul in a horse’s eye. Fun fact: horses can see in two different directions at once. Each eye works independent of the other unless they are using binocular vision to focus on something straight ahead.

This is Sophie’s eye.

If you look close, you can see photographer Bob reflected in her eye. This would be the artist in the eye of the beheld.

Bob and I have been married thirty years. Like most couples, we worked, we raised children, we did the things that keep people on their toes. We hung in there, giving each other the benefit of the doubt, sharing the pain and the glory until the dust settled, until reaching the point where we have little strife and a whole lot of ease. Best of all, we still have each other to share it all with.