Feature Friday – "The gift and Joy of Love"

Howdy Folks,

 

Ravishin' Robbie and I are still in the grip of the sweetness of the Christmas Spirit and I didn't really plan on writing a Feature Friday for this week. But as I sat enjoying my Folgers while Kessy peacefully munched her hay I thought of this past week, and love. I thought of Robbie's effortless ability to give love and what it's meant to me over the past four decades. To me and all those in our lives. I thought of this past week and the love we felt spending time with our daughter and grandchildren.

All at once the chicken scratch was swarmed with at least a dozen Juncos and a few Cardinals. Folks who know me know of my love for bird watching; their antics this morning painted a great smile on my face.

Saturday came trotting back into the barn, weaving between Kessy's legs and forced his nose under my hand, nearly spilling my coffee. He was ready for some more loving and was never shy about asking for it. That little stray beagle gave as much love as he asked for since the very first Saturday he wandered into our hearts, tired, hungry and scared. Love pours out of him.

I'd called our dear friend Annabelle yesterday. Over the years she, Robbie and I have enjoyed countless hours in Annabelle's stunning flower gardens and bird watching with her. Annabelle's been in a nursing home for a few years now and recently she's become too weak to even enjoy the birds outside her window so I call her and fill her in on the birds and flowers I've seen. She loves those chats, and it's easy to feel her spirits lift, even from 300 miles away.

Love is truly all around us and if we let it into our spirit it can help us, guide us. As I sipped my Folgers, sitting next to Kessy this very chilly morning, I thought of the stories I'd written this past year. Stories about, "People and Horses Helping Horses and People." Each of those stories was about folks and horses doing their very best, all they can, to help others. Therapeutic riding centers, therapy horses, folks who mortgage their homes to maintain rescues and sanctuaries. I thought how lucky I was to have had the chance to talk to those people, meet those horses. Feel their love. And share their love by being allowed to write their stories. The passion they all have to help is fueled by love.

Love can indeed move mountains, as they say. Mountains of healing, mountains of courage. Mountains of caring and giving. No matter what we might face, if we let it, love can sweep into our hearts and carry us. Love is truly magic.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

Feature Friday – Family, Friends, Love and Helping

Howdy Folks,

On this day after Thanksgiving I think it's wholly appropriate to think of love, helping, family and friends. Family is the backbone, the structure, the spirit of who we are. But by family I don't mean to suggest mom, dad, brother, sister and so on only. Family, for folks who understand love and helping is much broader than that.

From the roots and strength our families give us, we can reach out to help others. Perhaps we've never met, and never will meet them, but they are family, and we know them, hear them, and love them. Animal and human. And we want to help them.

Sometimes it's an adoption. Sometimes it's a donation. Sometimes we volunteer at a hospital, a nursing home, a rescue or therapeutic riding center. Sometimes we just call someone in the hospital, or nursing home. Sometimes we send cards, photos or gifts. Always help is offered. Love is given. Support and kindness is given – and felt.

Kessy and Dutch writing about "People & Horses Helping Horses & People"

On this day after Thanksgiving we thank all those who hear the calling to share love, healing and encouragement.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

Seeing With Her Heart – follow-up – Chy, The Blind Horse Moves Home –Ariana Tomeselli

Howdy folks,

I knew last week Ariana was moving Chy home, from the boarding barn where she’d lived most of her life. That’s why I wanted to post their story (SEEING WITH HER HEART-Ariana Tomasrlli and Cheyenne ) (Which had been published in Trail Blazer in Dec) .. about how their lives came to become intertwined and enriched by each other’s love and trust. I also asked for an update, as to why the move, and how it went, as this sort of thing could be traumatic for a blind horse. Ariana sent me all the details and it seems most appropriate to share the story in her own words – So please enjoy “Chy and Britches Big Move” – by Chy's partner, and guest blogger, Ariana Tomaselli.

Chy and Britches' Big Move

Hi Dutch and Coffee Clutch Friends, I'm Ariana Tomaselli, Chy's human partner.--

First, I am going to give you a little story behind all my horses (just for amusement).

Chy - As you know, Chy was given to me by my friend as a Christmas present since she could not afford and handle a blind horse.

Ariana and Chy - Together they Soar

Britches - My mom's friend saw a video I made of Chy. That night she had a dream, and in her dream God told her that Chy needs Britches in her life. (Britches was 1 at this time, Chy was 2). So the next day, my mom's friend called us, told us her dream, and gave Britches to us. Chy and Britches have been best friends ever since.

Taza - She is an old fireball pure bred Egyptian Arab. The owner of the boarding barn we were at would always watch me ride Chy. She would watch how Chy would buck and rear (out of excitement) and how I never came off of her. She asked my mom if she could talk to me, I thought I was in trouble. The owner told me that I have glue on my butt when I ride. She said that she has a bit of a wild Arab who was claimed a killer that needed work. With the permission of my mom, I accepted the challenge. So, I began working with Taza. Shortly after, the owner of the barn got very ill (from being in a previous car accident) and passed away. However, the day before she passed, she told her husband to give Taza to us. So, Taza became ours and became my mom's perfect riding horse. However, now she is retired because she has arthritis and is in her late 20's.

Geronimo and Tomahawk - These two horses were basically abandoned at the boarding farm. I fought for custody over these two horses for years and finally got them when their owner got into debt with the barn owner and the barn owner granted custody to me and had them signed over.

So, more about Chy and Britches ... As you know we have had all of our horses at a boarding farm called Cameo Farm; which was only a few minutes from our home. We lived in a small neighborhood where I spent my entire life. Shortly after we got Chy my mom began looking for a small farm we could call our own. We wanted Chy to live in our backyard. Then of course, we got another horse, then another, then another, and so on and so forth. My dad would always say, "We are not getting another horse until we buy a farm!" I obviously did not listen.

Ariana and Britches

Even after searching and searching, and getting the count of our horses up to 5, we were still boarding. We searched for years and years. Finally my parents were about to sign a contract for a 5 acre place that would have been OK, but just didn't feel right, when mom heard about a house ethat may be for sale. Mom and dad agreed to go look at it that same morning. As we all pulled up to that house, we knew it was meant to be! It is a small 8 acre property that is tucked back from the road and surrounded by trees, a perfect paradise; but that's not it. As my mom rang the doorbell to meet the home owner, this lady answered the door and both her and my dad stood in complete shock. It turns out, the home owner is an old family friend who grew up with my dad and his family. Small world right?

So she showed us her home and we fell in love. Dutch, it was truly meant to be, we were so close to buying a house literally a mile down the road that we weren't in love with, but ended up getting the home of our dreams.

We moved in the first week of July. We didn't plan to move our 5 horses until September because we needed to put up some fencing and build an extra stall. But, things never go as planned and due to unfortunate circumstances we had to move Taza, Tomahawk, and Geronimo less than a week after we moved in.

Geronimo, Tomahawk and Taza settling in

We kept Chy and Britches at Cameo until we finished everything that needed to be done at our new home. We wanted to move Chy into a home that was "stress-free". Oh, I didn't even tell you the best part.... our trailer, the trailer Chy loves, was sent to the junk yard moments before we had to move our horses.

We had to have our dear friend Betsy trailer our horses for us, but there is one problem... Chy is claustrophobic, and Betsy's trailer is a lot narrower than our old trailer was. I was worried Chy would refuse the trailer.

Then came the day to move Chy and Britches to their new home... I was happy but also worried that they wouldn't load on the trailer, but they proved me wrong! Chy AND Britches both walked right on the trailer!! This has NEVER happened before, usually I have to wait awhile for Chy to make up her mind of whether or not she wants to go somewhere (I always let her choose) and Britches ALWAYS puts up the biggest fight. On that day those horses knew they were going home! It made me cry tears of joy and we were all shocked but so happy!

Britches steps off first - Chy patiently waits her turn

We got them to our new place and I immediately unloaded them and put them in their new pasture. I let Britches roam around on her own, but I kept Chy on the lead so I could show her the boundaries and obstacles. Now, Britches can sometimes be, well, a mare. Haha! She is never really warm and fuzzy towards Chy, but she is always there for Chy when she needs her. As I started walked Chy around Britches would not leave us alone. In a few of the pictures I posted of me leading Chy around you can see my hand on Britches' butt pushing her away. She insisted on staying right by Chy's side. I swore Britches was trying to say, "Ariana, let Chy go, I can handle this". I took that as a sign, and I reluctantly let Chy go... and Britches took over in the most beautiful, sweet way I have ever seen.

Chy stepping "hoof" onto her new home

Britches literally walked Chy around her entire pasture, she showed her the tree, the stump, the gate, the stalls, she showed her everything! It taught me that sometimes I will not always be able to be there for Chy, I won't always be able to protect her, and baby her, and lead the way.

Ariana "pushing" Britches out of the way as she showed Chy her new home fenceline. Britches always worries over Chy. 

Chy has Britches, forever, and Chy has her will power and strength. (Oh man, I am crying now) For the first time in my life, I was able to let go and put my trust in someone else to take care of Chy, Britches.

Chy figured out everything that day. There is this automatic water in her pasture that has a lever in it which the horses have to push down with their muzzle to make the water come out. Chy figured it out on her own!! My other three horses had been there for a month and still did not have that waterer figured out!!! Chy can handle herself.

I feel like a momma bird who let her baby bird fly out of the nest for the first time, which is weird seeing that my baby bird moved home with me. I could not be anymore blessed to have such an amazing family, friends, and horses, especially Chy.

Chy and Britches all settled in

Thank you Dutch for caring about Chy and me! Ariana.

Thank you Arianna for sharing yours and Chy's story with us!

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

When Hearts Open PT 2

Howdy Folks,

I wrote this story yesterday in the barn with Kessy, Saturday and Miss kitty. Some folks say horses don't remember. I know they do ... I've listened to their stories ... I posted Pt 1 yesterday..  (HERE)  ... I hope you enjoy Pt 2 - 

Writing with Kessy & Saturday

  When Hearts Open -Pt 2

Holly understands now why Megan had hugged her so tightly that day. Why she cried so hard into her mane that tears ran down her neck. It was the first time Holly had heard, "goodbye."  That day she could not understand what it meant. She knew Megan's heart was breaking, because they understood each other, but Holly could not understand the sadness. When they led her to the trailer, it was a strange man and a strange trailer. Are we going to a show? Where is Megan? As they closed the door Holly screamed and pawed. "Where are you Megan?" she screamed. The trailer lurched as they drove away. Holly screamed and screamed, but Megan never came.

 

When she stepped from the trailer Holly found herself in another new world, new smells, sounds and sights. But it was not a show she had gone to, and still there was no Megan. From the trailer to another tiny dark place she now knew people called stalls; she had seen plenty of stalls at the shows with Megan. This one was like the one long ago at the training place. At first her heart jumped. Were her old friends here? But no, all these horses were strangers. Who later would become friends, but that first day, Holly was just alone, and scared. Where was Megan? She missed Megan. What had she done wrong that had made Megan go away? She tried to understand, but could not. She called for Megan until her sides hurt.

The people at the new place were nice and even took Holly to shows. Her new rider, a strong young man was a good rider and confident, but he never took the time to understand her. He demanded Holly do her duties, and she did, and they won ribbons as before, but there was hollowness to it. She missed Megan. For a long time whenever a truck stopped by the barn she whinnied for Megan. At every show Holly looked for Megan.

Every few years Holly would say goodbye to new friends she'd made, to move on to another new world. New horse friends were always happy to welcome her, but she learned over the years not to open her heart to them. While she learned to understand it, she never learned to like it. She hated each time saying goodbye to her friends. She remembers each of them. She had a life full of making new friends, and even learned she could help her new riders master the art of riding and winning ribbons. There came a day when Holly began to wonder why there were not as many shows. Where had the fun and excitement gone? It seemed everyone now wanted more of her. More flash, more speed. So many different riders, each with more and confusing demands. 

She tried to understand, but long days in the dusty ring with many different riders made her back hurt. Her mouth was sore, and her ribs. She loved to teach children to ride, but too much, too many now. She felt her legs go weak, then crashed to the dirt. People ran to her, pushed and shoved, pulled on the reins, but her tired legs needed to rest. She had been careful to fall in a way not to hurt her young rider, but he was angry anyway.

Most of her time now was spent in a new tiny dark place. Almost never out in the sun. Never brushed or bathed. What had she done? She missed Megan. She missed Megan's hugs.

Her legs were tired all the time now. And she was hungry. Her skin itched. She tried to tell them to turn her out in the big field, she needed the sun. She knew she was too tired for a show now anyway, but the sun would warm her skin. She nickered when they opened the big doors and a few yellow streaks forced their way to her dark stall. The people did not understand and yelled for her to "shut-up" … "Please turn me out," she pleaded.

"She's got to go." Holly heard the big man say. "You either take her, or she goes to the auction. She's worth nothing to nobody!" It was hard for her to remember how long she'd been here, at the hungry place. But it was very hard to remember not being hungry. Somehow hearing him say that confused her.

Then she saw her. A woman walking up the aisle toward her stall looked so familiar. Holly remembered the happy stride. She tried to whinny, but coughed instead. "Megan? My old fiend Megan?" Her heart raced, even her legs stopped hurting. How wonderful, Megan has come to me after all this long time! 

When the woman reached for her, Holly realized she was not Megan. Holly looked past her, perhaps Megan was behind her … no one else came. "Hi beautiful," the woman said. "They tell me your name is Holly. I'm Carol and honored to meet you!"

It was a hard job walking into the trailer. The ramp seemed so steep. Not like the years before going to the shows when she danced up into the trailers. But if they were going to a show, she would give it her all, and step lively as she could. She didn't feel the old excitement, but getting outside feeling the sun on her back pepped her up a little. Carol took each step slowly with Holly, and Holly felt the warmth of Carol's heart. It reminded her of Megan.

This new world reminded Holly of times so long ago. Stepping off the trailer, Carol was there to steady her. She asked nothing of her, and waited quietly as Holly moved slowly, stiffly from the trailer to her very own grass paddock. And look, fresh hay under the tree. Good hay, sweet hay. Settling in was easy here. Carol made sure there was always plenty of fresh hay and water. She often she sat with her, and told her stories. Every morning Carol visited, but Holly worried about opening her heart, and for a long time, kept her distance. But Carol kept coming, talking, hugging and brushing. Holly's legs grew strong once again, as strong as the tug on her heart. Finally, after many weeks, Holly knew it was not only safe, but important to open her heart again.

Holly lay in the sun close to her other new friends in the big field. The strength now back in her legs after months of never being hungry, she knew any moment now Carol would come out to the field to check on them. Carol was easy to understand, like Megan. There were no tiny dark places here only new friends, big fields and sunshine. And a little work. Holly's new job was helping horses to once again open their hearts. A job she understands.

On quiet warm days Holly still thinks of Megan, remembers their romps together. Sometimes she'll nicker, hoping she'll hear. 

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry