Coffee Clutch with Dutch Henry: "Wonderful Weekend with a Dear Friend"

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

"Wonderful Weekend with a Dear Friend"

Howdy Folks,

Friends are one of God's special gifts, and my dear friend Connie Bloss is extra special. Over the years we've shared many adventures. We've ridden together from Southern VA to Vermont. Oh that Vermont ride! ... It was a 25 mile Competitive Trail Ride in Woodstock, Vermont in January, called the January Thaw, only it didn't thaw. It was one degree with 28 inches of snow. I rode my Spotted Saddle Horse, Diablo, Connie rode my TWH, Fritz. Ravishin' Robbie served as our crew. We all agree of all the adventures we've shared this was one of our favorites.

Connie's husband, Larry was a really swell guy and great friend, too. He didn't always go along on our horsey adventures and escapades, but did cheer us on and if we ever needed any kind of help was right there ... A few weeks ago Larry went to Heaven. This past weekend I went to visit Connie to share condolences and memories. We did plenty of remembering, crying, eating and laughing ... The weather did keep us from playing with Connie's Icelandic horse, Gi.

But as planned, on Saturday we did attend Diane Sept's February "Equine Discussion Group." It was Connie who introduced me to Diane. Each year Diane holds one-day get-togethers in Jan, Feb and March, sort of mini clinics, where she discusses all things important to know about how to be a great horse owner/partner. Not only is it a great chance to learn important information, brush up on things and hear new ideas, but it's fun to see friends you only see every now and then. Diane is an exceptional instructor, trainer and motivator. And my mentor. As I always say, "Everything good I know about horses I learned from Diane Sept. Everything good I know about life I learned from my wife, Robbie."

This weekend's Equine Discussion Group's focus was on the senior horse, and many great ideas were shared and discussed, from feeding, vaccinating, barefoot care, dental work to housing, riding and blanketing. I was pretty surprised to learn the feed industry's idea of a senior horse is 13. I think that's a mighty young senior horse! Many friends there shared their own experiences with their senior horses, and there were some great stories. One of Diane's lesson horses, Jessica will celebrate her 39th birthday in a few months, and she looks every bit of 15!

Larry's horse, Blue went to Heaven just last week at 27. We all decided he wanted to ride with Larry again.

Sunday, and Monday, Connie and I set out to visit more of our friends, talk about horses and family. I don't get see everybody very often since moving to VA, so it was really great to go with Connie and do some catching up.

Ah yes, it was simply a wonderful weekend with a dear friend!

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

2 comments:

AnonymousFebruary 13, 2013 at 9:45 AM
What in the world could be better than that.......great friends, fond memories, and fabulous trail riding. Sorry to hear about the passing of your friend Larry and his trusty steed. Glad you had a good visit. I am sure you made Connie's day. That's what friends are for.....to lift each other up when the other is down :)

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PatriciaFebruary 13, 2013 at 3:50 PM
That's so sad about your friend Larry and it seems his pony wanted to be with him, eh? What a good friend you are.
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Welcome to the Coffee Clutch

Welcome to the Coffee Clutch, a happy place to visit. I write uplifting stories about a wide variety of subjects from horses to birds and nature, to love and family and friends. Sometimes I'll post excerpts from stories I've written for Equine Publications. Sometimes I'll post about writing itself. Coffee Clutch got its name because I often write while enjoying my morning coffee in the barn with my mare Kessy, and all our critters. Join us here for fun conversation and stories I promise will make you feel good.

It's For The Horses

This is not a book about riding, or training horses. It is a book on my thoughts, ideas and suggestions on how folks might find the joy in doing things for the horse, with the horses’ point of view as the leading guide. My hope is to help as many people as possible learn to hear the horse, feel their spirit, and in that way help horses everywhere. Over the years I’ve met and worked with remarkable people and horses who taught me about their feelings, their joys, their sadness, and their spirit. As a horse advocate everything I do is from the horse’s perspective, including this little book. Every story, idea, suggestion and thought on these pages will be to suggest and share thoughts and ideas on how to maximize a relationship between horse and human—from the horse’s point of view.

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