Wild Dreams Farm

Yesterday I was standing in the driveway and for the first time really appreciated that the view is beautiful. I took a photo which didn’t come out as gorgeous as the view with my naked eye – because it was morning and the sun was in front of me. I also took a photo of the view to the right (westward) and the left (eastward).

I am still letting go and starting to relax and truly enjoy the farm. And I do really enjoy it. Every time I drive home I feel good when I turn the corner and it sits before me. Every time I stand in the driveway I feel at home. It has a good feel, and that’s what’s important to me.

The horses too seem to enjoy it, and to have settled in. The other day I was looking out the window and saw Lucy and Bettina standing side by side – very close, touching or almost touching. That in itself is unusual, but what struck me was that they were touching faces occasionally. They were being loving! I’ve noticed too, at hay time, that the horses are very companionable with each other. Lucy will share with Beauty, Shadow with Zola, Zola with Lena. And then they change, Lucy will share with Chance, Roxanna with Lena.

This is the first time I’ve seen them so happy – ever. Certainly since we moved to Kentucky.

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With all the work that needed to be done, by Christmas I felt like I’d been here for months.  it was only when I sat down and looked at the calendar that I realized it’s been just over 8 weeks.

Last week I finally settled into a routine.  (I’m one of those people who needs a routine to be happy and to get things done.)  The routine?  Feed the horses between 7 and 8.  Eat breakfast, work on the computer, do chores/run errands.  At 11 work with Huey.  At noon feed horses.  Eat lunch, take a break.  At 2 gallop and feed Chance, then work and feed Zola. Let Bettina, Zola, Chance, Beauty, and Lucy out to graze in the big field til about 4. Then feed Bettina and put her in, put Zola in,  put Lucy and Chance in, feed Beauty and put her in.  Feed horses at 5.  Relax.

I trained Huey to drive several years ago.  My goal was to put him to work as a farm horse. Nothing heavy, he’s a Paint, not a draft horse, but helpful things like pulling a drag to break up manure, pulling fallen branches, etc.  That project has been on hold a long time, but now is the perfect time to finish his training.  He was pretty good pulling a cart, the issue he has is standing still when pulling an item that drags behind  him.  He whoas well, but then will move his butt to one side or the other, or take a step back, or both – leading to serious tangling issues.  Luckily he doesn’t mind getting all twisted up with traces around his legs, but it could be a real wreck if there was something attached to him.  So we are working on standing still in harness.  And making progress!  I’ve also decided to train Lucy.  She is pretty unflappable, and is really good at standing still.

I’m really enjoying riding Chance and am looking forward to getting back on Zola.  I almost got on Tuesday, but just lay across the saddle instead. Not that she did anything wrong, she’s been very good, it’s just that commitment of swinging my leg over the saddle for the first time in several months – on a green horse.

The horses really seem to have settled in and seem happier than they’ve been since I moved to Kentucky.  Everyone is relaxed – the horses, the cat, the dog, and me.  As I was grooming Zola on Tuesday, Sissy (the cat) was lying nearby rolling around on her back enjoying the sun.  What a contrast to how things were in Paris.

Of course, today there’s a blizzard going on outside!

Snow! January 12, 2012