Hours and horseflesh
Apr. 27th, 2010 11:08 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
stephbgI dragged myself into work today more out of stubbornness and cabin fever than anything else, but then I got myself to the stables for some much-missed equine communion.
I only managed 1 1/2 hours at work today and foolishly worked on a complicated topic. I should have found myself a brainless task to do. Really, the drive in took most of my spoons, but I've only been to work 4 times in April so far so I was getting itchy. That's going to be one sad little April invoice. Here's looking forward to May. Maybe I'll kick this annoying little virus that both Husband and I are having trouble fighting off.
Between Swancon and illness I've been missing the horses terribly, and so I decided a few days ago that even if I wasn't strong enough to help out I'd go to the stables and see if they'd let me in to stroke someone equine. I was pleasantly surprised to be not only recognised but greeted warmly and encouraged on in. They don't get many people of my demographic so I guess I'm easy to spot. It would appear that as a volunteer for RDA I am getting the same benefits as a client. I'm a sick person who feels better around horses? We understand! Come on in! Can't carry anything or walk around the arena? No problem! Go ahead and make the horses happy.
Awesome. This is the absolute best case scenario for this plan to join as an RDA volunteer. When I'm stronger I'll be more practical use, but in the meantime it's not costing them anything to let me bond with the animals when they're not working. Within reason :-)
So I stood in close and murmured quiet nothings to a couple of horses waiting for a lesson, and scritched until heads, ears, and eyelids lowered. At one beautifully quiet moment I stood with my hand pressed gently but firmly to Pedro's face and just breathed with him. He stepped in closer to me and tucked his nose into my chest; he didn't lean, or shove, or scratch, he just shared a moment with someone safe. Magic.
What is this hold these creatures have on me? Is it the trust they show despite their instincts to flee and kick when afraid? These horses are far from wild animals, but they're perfectly capable of expressing dislike in a dozen different ways to escape unwanted attentions. Is it just that I find comfort in the company of a large, warm and soft animal, or is their aura of calm something tangible I feel by standing at the shoulder? Straight in front of a horse is no place to be, and I am relishing this opportunity to be on the other side of the fence, stand where it feels most right, and do my thing to make them feel better.
I didn't stay long because my legs started to shake and I knew I wouldn't be able to stand up for much longer. Bit of a problem that. Before leaving I managed to make myself minimially useful by moving one horse from A to B and then closing a gate. A small thing, but a satisfying thing.
I only managed 1 1/2 hours at work today and foolishly worked on a complicated topic. I should have found myself a brainless task to do. Really, the drive in took most of my spoons, but I've only been to work 4 times in April so far so I was getting itchy. That's going to be one sad little April invoice. Here's looking forward to May. Maybe I'll kick this annoying little virus that both Husband and I are having trouble fighting off.
Between Swancon and illness I've been missing the horses terribly, and so I decided a few days ago that even if I wasn't strong enough to help out I'd go to the stables and see if they'd let me in to stroke someone equine. I was pleasantly surprised to be not only recognised but greeted warmly and encouraged on in. They don't get many people of my demographic so I guess I'm easy to spot. It would appear that as a volunteer for RDA I am getting the same benefits as a client. I'm a sick person who feels better around horses? We understand! Come on in! Can't carry anything or walk around the arena? No problem! Go ahead and make the horses happy.
Awesome. This is the absolute best case scenario for this plan to join as an RDA volunteer. When I'm stronger I'll be more practical use, but in the meantime it's not costing them anything to let me bond with the animals when they're not working. Within reason :-)
So I stood in close and murmured quiet nothings to a couple of horses waiting for a lesson, and scritched until heads, ears, and eyelids lowered. At one beautifully quiet moment I stood with my hand pressed gently but firmly to Pedro's face and just breathed with him. He stepped in closer to me and tucked his nose into my chest; he didn't lean, or shove, or scratch, he just shared a moment with someone safe. Magic.
What is this hold these creatures have on me? Is it the trust they show despite their instincts to flee and kick when afraid? These horses are far from wild animals, but they're perfectly capable of expressing dislike in a dozen different ways to escape unwanted attentions. Is it just that I find comfort in the company of a large, warm and soft animal, or is their aura of calm something tangible I feel by standing at the shoulder? Straight in front of a horse is no place to be, and I am relishing this opportunity to be on the other side of the fence, stand where it feels most right, and do my thing to make them feel better.
I didn't stay long because my legs started to shake and I knew I wouldn't be able to stand up for much longer. Bit of a problem that. Before leaving I managed to make myself minimially useful by moving one horse from A to B and then closing a gate. A small thing, but a satisfying thing.
