Don't Look If You Are Shy

Naked Horse Pics

It did get warm and sunny enought today to let the Boys go without their blankets for the afternoon. So here, for your viewing pleasure, the Naked Boys!
First, of course, is Toby. Trying to get a side shot is nearly impossible. So here he is, coming to check out the camera, nose first.

Tucker did pause in his curiousity. He had already rolled so he's dirty, but since there is no mud at the moment, it was easy to brush off. Ok, no comments about how round he is....*sigh*

And here's Chance. He looked the cleanest of all. I did get one side shot of him, but I was too far away. But this is better than a full in the camera nose shot anyhow. And he looks cute, so who's going to argue?

I did all the barn chores today which was fine. Then I decided to do some poo picking in the arena. Some of the manure is still frozen, but I managed to fill two wheelbarrows. Error! I should have stuck to one and left the second for another day. Frankly, I was pretty worn out, but I did clean up about half the arena--at least where I could get the stuff up. There is a section that stays pretty much in the shade along the barn side, so the footing never really did thaw. Elsewhere it was pretty good.

I came back into the house to rest for a few hours as I needed it. I had no idea how little stamina I actually have.

Then I went back out just before feeding time and brought Tucker in. I saddled him up and rode. That is if you call a total of perhaps three minutes. What a strange feeling! I was just a little insecure--not in my seat--but in my brain. It was as if I hadn't ridden in a year, not just over a month. Strange how aware of your body you become after you've had an injury or illness, or in this case, surgery. There is, I think, a sense of overprotectiveness, as if any unusual movement will somehow be a problem. I was a little nervous.

But Tucker was a sweetie. At first he moved off cautiously, as if he too were unsure. Then I patted him and reassured him and he strode off with a nice forward walk. We trotted a few circuits on each rein, but the footing was only good on the one side, so I had to be careful where we turned. After a bit more walk, I called it a day.

To be sure, I was very clear about thanking Tucker for giving me such a good, quiet first ride back and he seemed quite pleased to have been the chosen one.

Tomorrow, we'll see.

Tragedies like the earthquake in Haiti do make me think of all the blessings I have. Besides the horses and the dishwasher, already noted earlier, I have just come through a surgery without a lot of difficulty. Yesterday, I drove to the doctor's office myself and realized how easy and convenient it was to have medical care so readily available. We have at least four good hospitals less than an hour away, and doctor's offices all over the place. My primary care physician is only about 15 minutes away. There are also emergency clinics nearby, and a first aid squad for emergencies.

Those of us with such blessing on our doorsteps need to remember to count them now and then and say "Thank you," to whatever spirit you believe is watching over you.

So, "Thanks, Tucker for being my caretaker today," and "Thank you, God, for granting me this life."