Equines and Summer Memories

Long, hot, lazy summer days take me back to a childhood filled with dreams and memories of horses. I remember hopping on Skyboy with no saddle at all, reclining on his comfortable round back, gazing up, finding cloud pictures, as he munched on clover. My best friend was always on a horse alongside, and we discussed the important issues of the day: Where will we ride? Want to take a picnic? Swim the horses in the pond or wade across the creek? Often our days were filled with typical girl chatter, but many times the simple pleasure of a ride in the cool woods required no words at all. A strong gallop on trusted horses brought us our freedom. (Later, a driver’s license seemed insignificant and paled in comparison.) Steady hoof beats, swishing tails, and quiet equine companionship filled our world and made it whole. Back at the barn, grooming the horses and caring for them brought as much satisfaction as the ride itself. Simply being with horses lent a richness and fullness to our lives. We could not have explained it then (and hardly now) but we needed those horses to become the confident women we are today.

Reflecting on those formative years, I wonder what similar experience is available to children and adults in these busy times. How many break away, leaving technology behind for quiet hours with a kind horse? Do kids take time to gaze up at the sky? Do they know the sound of a contented horse grazing? Is the ambling walk of the horse through the woods too slow in a fast paced world? Or is it more important now, than ever?

When we teach riding at Blackberry, it is important, for safety’s sake, to emphasize the physical skills necessary for good riding. But, you may have noticed, as soon as we feel our riders are capable, we take them outside the riding ring to see the world from the back of the horse. It is the human relationship with the horse, and the horse’s innate connection to nature that gives us intense pleasure. I won’t remember the 200th turn around the riding ring or the 50th fence I jumped. But, I will always recall the summer skies and the cool pathways and the soft welcoming nicker of a favorite horse.

This summer, I had to say goodbye to my longtime equine friend, Ansel. I asked for one last hug and as I put my arms around his big ole neck, I breathed in that sweet summer horsey scent. I gave him a cookie and let him go. As he took wing toward his new pasture, I felt all the great horses of my life, including Skyboy, would surely welcome him. And though my heart was aching, it was very full with love for horses of my past and present, and for all the ones to come.

If you have always wanted to connect, or re-connect, with horses, Blackberry Farm is the perfect place to make it happen. You’ll find me at the Stables…

Carla Hawkinson
Equestrian Program Manager

Long, hot, lazy summer days take me back to a childhood filled with dreams and memories of horses. I remember hopping on Skyboy with no saddle at all, reclining on his comfortable round back, gazing up, finding cloud pictures, as he munched on clover. My best friend was always on a horse alongside, and we discussed the important issues of the day: Where will we ride? Want to take a picnic? Swim the horses in the pond or wade across the creek? Often our days were filled with typical girl chatter, but many times the simple pleasure of a ride in the cool woods required no words at all. A strong gallop on trusted horses brought us our freedom. (Later, a driver’s license seemed insignificant and paled in comparison.) Steady hoof beats, swishing tails, and quiet equine companionship filled our world and made it whole. Back at the barn, grooming the horses and caring for them brought as much satisfaction as the ride itself. Simply being with horses lent a richness and fullness to our lives. We could not have explained it then (and hardly now) but we needed those horses to become the confident women we are today.

Reflecting on those formative years, I wonder what similar experience is available to children and adults in these busy times. How many break away, leaving technology behind for quiet hours with a kind horse? Do kids take time to gaze up at the sky? Do they know the sound of a contented horse grazing? Is the ambling walk of the horse through the woods too slow in a fast paced world? Or is it more important now, than ever?

When we teach riding at Blackberry, it is important, for safety’s sake, to emphasize the physical skills necessary for good riding. But, you may have noticed, as soon as we feel our riders are capable, we take them outside the riding ring to see the world from the back of the horse. It is the human relationship with the horse, and the horse’s innate connection to nature that gives us intense pleasure. I won’t remember the 200th turn around the riding ring or the 50th fence I jumped. But, I will always recall the summer skies and the cool pathways and the soft welcoming nicker of a favorite horse.

This summer, I had to say goodbye to my longtime equine friend, Ansel. I asked for one last hug and as I put my arms around his big ole neck, I breathed in that sweet summer horsey scent. I gave him a cookie and let him go. As he took wing toward his new pasture, I felt all the great horses of my life, including Skyboy, would surely welcome him. And though my heart was aching, it was very full with love for horses of my past and present, and for all the ones to come.

If you have always wanted to connect, or re-connect, with horses, Blackberry Farm is the perfect place to make it happen. You’ll find me at the Stables…

Carla Hawkinson
Equestrian Program Manager

Long, hot, lazy summer days take me back to a childhood filled with dreams and memories of horses. I remember hopping on Skyboy with no saddle at all, reclining on his comfortable round back, gazing up, finding cloud pictures, as he munched on clover. My best friend was always on a horse alongside, and we discussed the important issues of the day: Where will we ride? Want to take a picnic? Swim the horses in the pond or wade across the creek? Often our days were filled with typical girl chatter, but many times the simple pleasure of a ride in the cool woods required no words at all. A strong gallop on trusted horses brought us our freedom. (Later, a driver’s license seemed insignificant and paled in comparison.) Steady hoof beats, swishing tails, and quiet equine companionship filled our world and made it whole. Back at the barn, grooming the horses and caring for them brought as much satisfaction as the ride itself. Simply being with horses lent a richness and fullness to our lives. We could not have explained it then (and hardly now) but we needed those horses to become the confident women we are today.

Reflecting on those formative years, I wonder what similar experience is available to children and adults in these busy times. How many break away, leaving technology behind for quiet hours with a kind horse? Do kids take time to gaze up at the sky? Do they know the sound of a contented horse grazing? Is the ambling walk of the horse through the woods too slow in a fast paced world? Or is it more important now, than ever?

When we teach riding at Blackberry, it is important, for safety’s sake, to emphasize the physical skills necessary for good riding. But, you may have noticed, as soon as we feel our riders are capable, we take them outside the riding ring to see the world from the back of the horse. It is the human relationship with the horse, and the horse’s innate connection to nature that gives us intense pleasure. I won’t remember the 200th turn around the riding ring or the 50th fence I jumped. But, I will always recall the summer skies and the cool pathways and the soft welcoming nicker of a favorite horse.

This summer, I had to say goodbye to my longtime equine friend, Ansel. I asked for one last hug and as I put my arms around his big ole neck, I breathed in that sweet summer horsey scent. I gave him a cookie and let him go. As he took wing toward his new pasture, I felt all the great horses of my life, including Skyboy, would surely welcome him. And though my heart was aching, it was very full with love for horses of my past and present, and for all the ones to come.

If you have always wanted to connect, or re-connect, with horses, Blackberry Farm is the perfect place to make it happen. You’ll find me at the Stables…

Carla Hawkinson
Equestrian Program Manager