Be Observant

Today I discovered a very important characteristic about a horse at the farm, which I call one of my favorite giants. Since the beginning of the semester, all the horses have had to be bundled with one to two very heavy winter blankets. However, today the weather was so beautiful that those heavy, and rather stinky, blankets were taken off. Immediately, all the newly naked horses ran around without the restrictions of their blankets and rolled in the damp snow to scratch their backs. I did not take a good look at all the giants until I went to do afternoon chores. Surprisingly, none of the ponies at the old barn did anything lacking common sense today. I seem to be doing a fantastic job of teaching them to go into empty stalls quickly. Thank goodness they are learning.

After completing all the major feedings, my friend Jess and I waited for Gabe, Limerick, and Sangha to finish eating. We watched all the horses chew merrily away at their hay and grain. The two biggest girls were given the nicknames “Big Mama” and “Fiona.” I was petting Big Mama, also known as Kelsey, when Sangha wandered over to me, so I could take off his feedbag. Then, I noticed something vitally important about Sangha. Sangha, in fact is a she not a he. My favorite giant is a girl. This is a special moment in history, because I do not usually like mares. Sangha, however, is not your typical mare. She is actually sweet and very friendly instead of distant and snobbish. I took of her feedbag and she followed me to the pasture gait. Jess commented on her simple beauty and Sangha seemed to understand completely, but of course she did, who would miss her gorgeous features. Her eyes flickered in the setting sun as she rested her head over the gait and in my hands. I scratched behind her ears and sent her off to claim a hay pile.

Sometimes I miss the slightest facts that always end up being very important. I seem to be observant about the things that do not need much observation. There is something to work on. I am so blessed and amused about the little things that open my eyes and teach me important lessons. Still, I am not full of as much thanksgiving as I really should be about those lessons. It is still the beginning of the New Year even though February is tomorrow. I have made another New Year’s resolution. Hopefully, I can continue to make resolutions and not break them.