Remember how last Tuesday was crap? This Tuesday was fine. Not amazingly great, but perfectly, acceptably fine. It's so weird, which it really isn't, because every day is different, that's life, but everything about the horses is still so heightened for me that things like this are remarkable. As in 'momentous' and as in 'to …
The Will to Power
The opposite of love is not hate, according to Carl Jung, but the will to power. I'm not feelin' the love where Rebel is concerned. 'Sue, you're down for Rebel,' Emma said, and turned to allocate the next horse. 'CanIhaveDelilah,' I muttered, my shoulders— my whole body—drooping.Someone else was down for Delilah, and I made …
Rebel is Annoying— Again
Remember how last Tuesday was amazing? This Tuesday was crap. The mood in the barn was... edgy, jumpy, something, the horses, post-prandial, literally feeling their oats. The music was too loud and I turned it down as always— poor Argo is directly across from the speakers, and the noise drives him demented. Mr Bojangles initiated grooming …
I Love Rebel—Again!
HERE'S WHY I approached Rebel's stable with intent— in the main, to see how the haircut was coming along. His head was in his feeder, and he was munching away, and I said, 'Hey, Reb! How's the—' and was shocked to see his head come flying up. I didn't think I was that loud. Hmm. …
Open Disorder
Another indication we're being kicked up a notch. Lately, instead of the group warming up en masse, we've been instructed to limber up in open order. I should like it: it's very freeing to move your horse on your own, trot on your own [we cantered even, on Saturday], turn your own circle when you …
Short Back and Sides
Rebel got his wintertime haircut and was tormented by itches the entire lesson. Which made things interesting. He was particularly skittish pre-mounting; I thought he was trying to push me around. Well, I had decided to do what I ought to do, on the ground, and I asserted my authority with him... which I came …
Takin’ Care of Business
Up to my neck in freelance design work— yay. Working way too many hours— boo. It's not forever and ever, and I expect it to end next Monday [famous last words...], but it does give me pause to think about boundaries. I am aware that my cynicism is wilting under the heat of an equine sun, a …
Confidence Building
'You want Rebel...?' Nikki asked, her voice drifting off into a questioning tone that gave me the out I needed. 'CanIhaveDelilah?' I blurted; she nodded, and I danced to the mare's stable. My confidence was getting knocked about: after a fall off Tango and two rough rides on Rebel, and I wanted some comfort. Going …
Let’s Sing a Song of Three
HOW MANY IS THREE? Three of us in the car on the way to the yard. Lainie had pony camp this past week, and I fired questions at her, left, right, and centre. She had brought her rosette, awarded from their end-of-pony-camp show. I squeal and examine it closely. We are both delighted. Loraine, who …
The Eve of The Eve of All Hallows
I remember last year that one of the girls who used to ride on Tuesdays mentioned how awful it had been, riding on Hallowe'en. This was on a night in November, when the winds rattling the corrugated steel roof of the indoor arena had the horses going completely mental; at one stage, Argo was going …
MANY BRAVE FOOLS 