Dance of the Horse I’ve always been bewildered By the beauty and the power That our special equine friends Display in every waking hour. From a foals first gasping breath Standing shakily to it’s feet It magically captures our minds Causing our hearts to pound and beat. I believe there’s nothing quite so noble As a horse with pride on show Ears pricked with eye’s a sparkle And mane and tail a flow. With each muscle made to motor And an instinct born to run Like a bird upon the wing They’ll gallop just for fun. For many countless generations They’ve held us humans in a trance As we ogle at their beauty And get caught up in their dance. Yes, they’re nature’s finest dancers With each breed a different style And I bet you didn’t realise That they’ve been dancing all this while. Like the “Clydesdales” in their harness Gentle giants side by side The “Bridle Waltz” they dance together And with every step they glide… …like a couple on the dance floor Though their moves are rather slow They have rhythm, they have purpose And as one they seem to flow. Then there’s “Thoroughbreds” a gleaming Racing machines of the equine breed Like “Line dancers” in fast forward They intermingle with power and speed. Then you’ll see them in the hack ring Where now their dance is more relaxed Like old time stage performers With canes and cute black hats. And now we’ll talk of refinement Of horses that dance the “Ballet” The “Arab” with head pointed skywards And all their best moves on display. Like an actor, a dancer in theatre Where tutus are exchanged for costumes Of Arabian bridles and sparkling coats That shine like the stars and the moon. To our True Blue “Australian Stock Horse” With athletic prowess to burn Like an aerobics display put to music They can swivel, then stop, jump and turn. They are born to the bush and to stock work Where their dances with cattle are bold And in campdrafts they’ll ride on the shoulder Bonding firm like a “Lambada” hold. And from gutsy and sturdy Stock Horse We move on to the giants of grace The grand European “Warmbloods” Who as dancers, have sure earnt their place. Whether they be shown in Dressage Like “Ballroom dancers” with poise and pride Or exploding over enormous jumps Like a “Gymnast” they spring and they glide. Now to “Appaloosa” and “Paint horse” Kings of the American plain They danced the “Ritual” of natives For food, for health and for rain. They enriched the lives of the Indians Dancing proudly into their hearts When you think of historic folklore They have played an integral part. Like the “Brumby” has for Australia The mountains and desert their home The “Aboriginal” dance of their country Beats out in their hooves as they roam. The tribal dance of their playground Is displayed every time that they flee Families galloping closely together Their movements are fluid and free. Like that of the magical Spaniards “Andalusians” both black and white Their “Flamenco” brings joy to the daytime And sparkles the darkest of nights. With high kicks and movements of power Displayed in the honour of Spain Applauded by thousands of people Their dance brings the sun to the rain. Now we find ourselves with the Cowboy Stout “Quarter horse” strand of straw on his lip The “Tango” he dances with cattle He’ll be damned if he’ll let that cow slip. But in reining his dance is indifferent With his 20 foot slides and his spins A “Rock n Roll” dancer he now has become Determined to dazzle and win. To the “Shetlands” and “Miniature” horses The “Rap” be their favourite dance With their blood a bubbling and boiling They perform like they’ve ants in their pants. Then they’ll relax just like children Their movements will slow, now precise As they all do the “Hokey Pokey” As cute as Walt Disney on Ice. But now to the ultimate dancers Man and horse joined at hip, joined as one With no gear attached, both perfectly matched Mateship burning as bright as the sun. And who are these wonderful dancers On whom I have stapled this tag It’s “Guy McLean” and his stallion Nugget Though they’re humble and don’t like to brag. But of horses of every description I urge you to relish the chance To witness their beauty at work and at play Be bewitched by their Magical dance. Proudly written and recited for “Equitana” “Mane Event” 2001 by two time Australian Champion bush poet Guy McLean
Posted on: Wed, 31 Jul 2013 01:19:23 +0000
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