I am still getting used to the dark nights when I get up to see the herd. It always takes me a few weeks to adjust to doing things by feel rather than sight, however, I dont know about anyone else but I find this time of year reminds me to use my other senses and not just rely on what I can see. I actually really enjoy it....listening to the sounds of the creatures at the field settling for the night or waking up to begin their adventures, hearing the soft wickers of the herd as they let me know where they are - each one with their own voice. As I cannot do a visual check on everyone (I do have a head torch but prefer not to use it as the bright beam of light is uncomfortable for the horses) I have to use my other senses of touch, listening and what I guess is an instinctual feel having known each member of the herd for a long time. Often in the summer its easy to forget to connect with touch and feel, especially if you are rushing or have jobs to do as most of us do and I have come home on occasion and thought I havent connected with (touched) Stanley...or Whipper...or whoever... which always make me feel a little annoyed at myself for not thinking. Yes, I will have chatted away and made sure everyone was fine, had plenty to eat and drink and was healthy etc but it is possible (not necessarily right but possible) to do all those things by sight and without actually touching everyone. Im not talking about forcing myself on the herd and having intense cuddles or hugs or anything like that - I just mean to offer a hand and be gifted a sniff or a kiss; to gently place a hand on a shoulder and feel the warmth of your horses body and muscles press against it in connection; to open yourself up and invite your horse to rest their head on your shoulder, that type of touching (as well as the more practical checking for lumps and bumps etc) Winter and dark nights remind me of how wonderful a gift to touch is, especially as I am not a touchy-feely person myself. The dark nights also provide a reminder of how we need to trust and be trustworthy when we interact with our horses. As it has been very wet the last week or so, Sky is having to wear a rug but I am constantly changing/checking it when Im there and allowing her time without it even its just for half an hour. Again this all has to be done in the dark and as you know we try to do everything at liberty so this simple activity includes a huge amount of trust on both sides, especially as she would prefer to be naked. We are always negotiating the arrangement - I chatter away to her, asking how she is and about her day, letting her know what Im doing, as I move around her, standing side by side with no restraints, as I remove her rug or put one on, fiddle with the straps, check the fit and ensure its not rubbing anywhere. Sometime we walk together while we do this and this is her saying really Mum do I have to, Ill be fine without. I take the time to explain why (those who have followed her story will know the why) and ask if she will stand for a moment while I do the belly straps and she does - to me thats huge and a massive gesture of her trust in me to always see her as who she is and treat her with the respect she deserves. The dark nights and winter remind me of the honour it is to share my life with such beautiful open and giving souls as our herd because I need to connect on a different level, a more intuitive level. There is something about the deep darkness of a winter evening, the chill of the breeze and awareness of being surrounded by life that reminds me of the magic that exists everywhere if only we remember to see with our hearts not just our eyes
Posted on: Wed, 19 Nov 2014 09:22:38 +0000
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