My horse Charlie is ready to roll
I love watching my horses roll. When I let the horses out in the morning, Charlie, the bay colt throws his head up, shakes his sleepy sand-filled eyes awake, bucks and rears as if he were a rocking horse. As he twists toward the two chestnut mares, Sonia and Maggie, they join his dance. Enthralled, I watch them prance in the crisp morning air.
Charlie pushes the other horses back from a circle of sand then strikes his hoof three times to announce his intention to go down. Front legs bend as he drops to his knees followed by his rump collapsing to one side.
Back and forth he rolls from belly to back, one more time, then flips all the way over, kicking at the air to maintain momentum.I
Lying flat now on his right side, he rubs his neck in the sand, twisting his mane into knots. After resting for a moment, he lifts his head, flopping it down as front legs lift to continue the roll, half way over, two times, three, squirming as he falls back in the dirt.
With an extra kick, he pulls his body over the hump of his withers. Over he goes to begin again on his left. Three times he repeats the ritual before preparing to stand, using front hooves to lift his shoulders and claw his way up onto all four.
Charlie is back on his feet
The shake begins at his head, moves along his neck and body, ending at his tail with dust rising, earth particles drifting into a growing puff of powder. He raises his head and his body follows, front feet in the air, striking without ill intent.
With a last buck, he races to the far end of the flat.
Once there, he jolts to a stop and spreads his front feet. Dropping his head, he tears loose a mouthful of tender spring grass, chewing as he glances about. He jumps in place as a tease, then looks to see if the other horses are watching. But they’ve wandered off to roll a distance apart, removing what’s left of their winter fluff.
Determined not to be ignored, he spins and gallops to dance around them. When they scramble to their feet, he exchanges playful bucks with each.
Together, the horses race to the far pasture for its tender untouched blades and drop their heads to graze. Until it’s time to feed evening grain, I return to my office, with my energy centered and my mind peaceful, inspired to write.
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A Note from Deborah
If you took the time to read all of this post, thank you. It means a lot. I will be posting more stories about living with horses.
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I am currently working on three books, four if I include my horse book with essays and poems matched with my art and photography. So, I’ll try to keep you posted on their progress as well.
I look forward to hearing from you
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