Treasured

Treasured

Anyone who has ever truly loved a horse knows how impermanent and unpredictable life really is. Statistically, horses can live to a healthy twenty-something. Sturdy ponies can boast even greater longevity.

Still, even a young horse can break hearts, slipping away far too soon.

My own special mare, a dear dam of twenty, has given us some beautiful babies and many years of kind companionship and righteous rides. Recently, the cycle of lymphangitis has given us several scares and more than a few emergency vet calls at the barn.

Last night was no exception. Lately, I’m almost leery of answering my cell phone, particularly when the caller I.D. reveals a call from a barn chum.

We know we are sharing borrowed time, so we will try to treasure it.

Photos c2010 by Nickers and Ink.

Stocking Up

A Rhyming Ridge Too Close to the Bridge

The horn may sound, and hounds may bay;

Companions search for words to say.

We watch for hours at her side,

Awaiting yet the coming tide.

The fever strikes; the lymph nodes swell.

Perhaps the clock may only tell.

I cling fast to a fraying rope,

And in the melting mud, hold hope.

It breaks my heart to see her fall. –

Another close call after all.

c2010 by Linda Ann Nickerson

Posted for a variety of prompts:

Meme Express (“mud”)

Simply Snickers (“horn,” “hound” and “hours”)

Weekend Wordsmith (“rope”)

Photo Prompts:

Camera Critters 

Love poetry? Check out Simply Snickers, a brand-new weekly poetry prompt. Try your hand with weekly prompts!  Or, look into The Meme Express for daily blogging prompts.

Click here to visit Linda Ann Nickerson’s poetry and humor blog, Nickers and Ink.

Click here to subscribe to an RSS feed for this writer's helpful Helium content. If you wish, click here for a free subscription to this author's online AC content, so you won't miss a single post! Do you love horses? Check out the content from the National Equestrian Examiner.

Happy Hug an Equestrian Day

Happy Hug an Equestrian Day

No one seems to know where it started (or, in fact, where it might lead) – but today is Hug an Equestrian Day. This happy horsey holiday may add a little mirth to midwinter melancholy. So get on out there and hug a horse lover. Better yet, go hug a horse!

 

 (Photos copyrighted by Nickers and Ink.)

Friday Flash-55 (55 words)

Easy Street Prompts ("on the hoof")

Camera Critters 

Lens Day Challenge ("eyes") 

Photo Hunt ("cuddly")

Wordless Wednesday 

On Edgar Winter, A Horse Known as Cloud

On Edgar Winter,

A Horse Known as Cloud

This blog entry is dedicated to my friend Lisa, who rescued two very senior white horses a few years ago, after their initial owner died. (Look at the cool bracelets she makes to support these horses. They're sold on Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville website.)


One of those old fellows, a Cremello Quarter Horse originally named White Cloud (but also known as Edgar Winter and Cloud) passed away today.

(Scroll down to see a slideshow of Cloud and his friend Albert.)

These two elderly gentlemen have long been tagged "The Dirty White Boys" of their pasture, perhaps for their penchant for finding the smallest speck of mud in which to roll.

So long, Cloud. We will miss you.

A Cloud Unveiled

His glory days had long blown by,

This creamy horse, straight from the sky,

When she discovered love again

A-nuzzling his ivory mane.

Although Cloud’s back was ever swayed,

He promptly stood to let her braid.

And marched her twice around the pond,

Devoted with a heart most fond.

A Quarter Horse, long past his game,

He quickly to her heart took aim.

She rescued this one and his pal

A pure white gelding known as Al.

These dirty white boys held their court

In highest fashions for their sport.

With polka dots and fancy trims

They proudly pranced on ancient limbs.

These pensioners beyond belief

Soon willingly turned o’er new leaf.

They sprouted wings, at least in heart,

But couldn’t bear to be apart.

Now Cloud has gone alone ahead;

Arthritic longings he has shed.

Perhaps he prances in the sky

Through thunderheads aloft on high.

His comrade Albert, Sir the Lame,

May linger, nickering his name,

And search the pasture, ne’er to find

His equine partner, Cloud the Blind.

Inseparable, though they’d be,

For years until eternity,

Now Albert strolls a solo stride

Without Cremello horse to guide.

For cloudy eyes of palest blue

Have since regained their light and hue.

This noble gentle equine friend

Will gallop pastures without end.

c2010 by Linda Ann Nickerson

“But I have promises to keep,

and miles to go before I sleep,

and miles to go before I sleep.”
Robert Frost

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Posted for a variety of prompts:

Easy Street Prompts (“glory days”)

Meme Express (“promises”)

Monday Poetry Train (poem/s)

One Single Impression (“wings”)

Simply Snickers (“linger,” “look” and “love”)

Sunday Scribblings (“new leaf”)

Theme Thursday (“polka dots”)

Weekend Wordsmith (“game”)

Photo prompts:

Camera Critters (photo/s)

Scenic Sunday (photo/s)

Sunday Stills (photo/s)

Thursday Challenge (photo/s)

Wordless Wednesday (photo/s)

Love poetry? Check out Simply Snickers, a brand-new weekly poetry prompt. Try your hand with weekly prompts!  Or, look into The Meme Express for daily blogging prompts.

Click here to visit Linda Ann Nickerson’s poetry and humor blog, Nickers and Ink.

Click here to subscribe to an RSS feed for this writer's helpful Helium content. If you wish, click here for a free subscription to this author's online AC content, so you won't miss a single post! Do you love horses? Check out the content from the National Equestrian Examiner.

Snowy Horse Fun

Snowy Horse Fun

Not to advertise the subject or plug a particular product here (as I have no affiliation with the brand), but I love the Budweiser Clydesdales.

In fact, I enjoyed meeting a few of these fine equines last summer at a county fair and a state fair and speaking with some of their grooms and handlers. This photo shows Yankee and Jake, two of the famous Budweiser Clydesdale horses.

The Budweiser Clydesdales are beautiful, grand creatures.

Here's one of my favorite Budweiser Clydesdale commercials. Perhaps my many snowy days in the pasture with young horses makes this one somehow familiar. You see, there are these couple of spunky colts . . . . well, you get my drift (as in snow drift).

Photo copyrighted by Nickers and Ink.

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Photo prompts:

Camera Critters (photo/s)

Scenic Sunday (photo/s)

Sunday Stills (photo/s)

Wordless Wednesday (photo/s)

Halloween Horse Costuming

Will you and your horse participate in a Halloween fun show this fall? Need some costuming ideas?

Take a look at these informative online articles for ideas and how-to's for masquerading with your mare, gelding, stallion, filly, or colt.

Halloween and horses: Safety comes first with horse costuming
Many horse lovers enjoy dressing up in Halloween and themed costumes for such happenings, and some even decorate or costuming their horses. The secret is to keep things simple and safe.

7 fun and easy horse and rider costume ideas for Halloween or fun shows 

Creativity runs rampant for costume classes at equestrian fun shows, as well as barn Halloween parties. Frequently, the most memorable get-ups actually pair horse and human in complementary or matching outfits for these autumn holiday events.Ideally, the Halloween...

4 extra-easy ways to costume a horse for Halloween or fun shows
Costume classes are holiday highlights at equestrian fun shows and horse barn Halloween parties, among horse lovers of all ages. Riders or in-hand walkers and their horses may win ribbons or prizes, parading around merrily in their masqueraded splendor.

Horse Costuming for Halloween, Fun Shows and More

What creative costume ideas might equestrians choose for these fall horse-lover events? From simple to ornate, humorous to historical and easy to elegant, horse costumes can be fun to make or purchase.

Horse Halloween costumes for humans
Horse lovers’ calendars may fill up with Halloween horse shows, fun shows, masquerade parties and trick But what if a horse lover wants to dress up as a horse?

Photo c2009 by Nickers and Ink

Costuming with caution: 6 Halloween pet costume safety tips
Pet costumes can be fun and festive, but a few common-sense cautions can help keep both canines and felines safe during the trick or treating and other Halloween festivities. After all, no responsible pet owner wants to see Halloween turn into a genuine nightmare or an emergency veterinary hospital visit.

Here's a fun horse costuming video you might enjoy. 
Just saw this online. Check out the variety of costumes for horse and rider, as well as the assortment of interesting musical selections. Costumes include Native Dress for breed shows, as well as parade, Halloween and fun show options.
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What is Hippotherapy?

What is hippotherapy?

The American Hippotherapy Association, Inc. (AHA, Inc.) defines hippotherapy as "physical, occupational and speech therapy treatment strategy that utilizes equine movement."

According to the American Hippotherapy Association, "Hippotherapy has been shown to improve muscle tone, balance, posture, coordination, motor development as well as emotional well-being."

"Hippo" comes from the Greek word for horse.

Of course, any horse lover knows that hippotherapy does not apply only to those facing special needs or physical challenges. To the rest of us, hippotherapy is the healing we may receive simply by spending time with a horse.

What melts stress away more than the view from the top of a favorite mount?

Photo c2009 by Nickers and Ink.
All rights reserved.

Photo prompts:

Camera Critters (photo/s)

Odd Shots (photo/s – odd shots)

Scenic Sunday (photo/s)

Sunday Stills (photo/s)

Thursday Challenge (photo/s)

Weekend Snapshot (photo/s)

Wordless Wednesday (photo/s)

Summer Swim

Summer Swim

Here in the Midwest of the United States, we have had a strange summer so far. Lots of rain and cooler weather have hidden our trails with overgrowth. Still, the horses have been quite comfortable with the milder summer. In addition, the herds around here have gained a few extra watering holes.

And the mud. Oh, the mud!

These two old friends inspired a few lines, as they cooled themselves in a storm-made pond. Because of their puddle plodding, Cloud and Albert have been fondly tagged “The Dirty White Boys.”

Photo c2009 by Nickers and Ink.

All rights reserved.

A Daily Dip

What summer sport may more joy bear

Than puddle plodding, mud to wear?

These four-star friends may munch and muse

And splish and splash and standing snooze.

Their lifelines have been etched in white,

Two decades plus without a fight.

What other pair may boast the same –

No bickering or passing blame?

Though fetlock scratches may appear,

They fret it not, companions dear.

As younger equines run and romp,

They swish their tails and simply stomp.

The virile herd may spook and shy,

But these pale gents don’t bat an eye.

For they have witnessed so much more.

Perhaps they’ve seen it all before.

c2009 by Linda Ann Nickerson

Posted for a variety of prompts:

Easy Street Prompts (“lifelines)

Heads or Tails (“where” or “wear”)

Meme Express (four star)

Simply Snickers (“munch,” “muse” and “myself”)

Photo prompts:

Camera Critters (photo/s)

Odd Shots (photo/s – odd shots)

Scenic Sunday (photo/s)

Sunday Stills (photo/s)

Thursday Challenge (photo/s)

Watery Wednesday (photo/s)

Weekend Snapshot (photo/s)

Wordless Wednesday (photo/s)

Love poetry? Check out Simply Snickers, a brand-new weekly poetry prompt. Try your hand with weekly prompts! Or, look into The Meme Express for daily blogging prompts.

Click here to visit Linda Ann Nickerson’s poetry and humor blog, Nickers and Ink.

Throughout 2009, please join us at The Heart of a Ready Writer, a Bible reading and devotional blog, as we read through the entire Bible in chronological order.

Click here to subscribe to an RSS feed for this writer's helpful Helium content. If you wish, click here for a free subscription to this author's online AC content, so you won't miss a single post!