Freedom of the Fields

Cold walking in the fields today, no sun. The horses were restless, we have walked through their fields numerous time and they just ignore us. Today they came up close, nuzzling and nudging, following us and at one point trotting round us in a circle. Found that a bit unnerving, about 26 of them, all big beasties, and little 'ole us in the middle. Wasn't helped by my son telling me a story of when he was hassled if not attacked by a horse - he has ridden in his time and is no way as wet as me. No idea what it was all about unless the girl who looks after them hadn't been to feed them yet. They are polo ponies on their winter holidays. In the off season, they have the freedom of the fields and boy, do they enjoy it, sometimes galloping just for the hell of it. Their territory extends to the treeline in the distance. There is a definite leader even though they arrived at different times and from different stables - the dark one with the blaze at extreme left. He can separate a mare out of the herd in no time at all. I love to see them, but on this occasion I was glad when they were back on the other side of the fence. Lovely to look at, glad they are not my responsibility.

Horses lend us the wings we lack.

When I hear somebody talk about a horse or cow being stupid, I figure it's a sure sign that the animal has outfoxed them.

A horse in the wind, a perfect symphony.

Horses are uncomfortable in the middle and dangerous at both ends.

Where ever man has left his footprint in his long ascent from barbarism to civilization, we will find the hoofprint of a horse beside it.

A lot of what's about horses is nuts and bolts -- If the rider's nuts, the horse bolts. [The Horse Whisperer]

He's of the colour of the nutmeg. And of the heat of the ginger.... he is pure air and fire; and the dull elements of earth and water never appear in him, but only in patient stillness while his rider mounts him; he is indeed a horse, and all other jades you may call beasts??.William Shakespeare, Henry V