The Ponies Return

 

The ponies are back on the field.
Just before Dawn , I noticed their large dark shapes shifting from leg to leg by the gate and I walked over to say hello .
I adore ponies noses.
Soft and pink and hairy and all smelling sweetly of fresh grass.
I dropped my head against the first pony’s muzzle and inhaled loudly, 
My nose against theirs and we stood like that for a while saying hello.
I dropped my head at the others in turn and did the same 
It felt as though I was being polite and friendly 
And so were they

56 comments:

  1. Animals know kind souls.

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    1. Horses, in my mind are strange creatures, I understand dogs much more. . Horses non verbal communication baffles me

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  2. In that close contact, much knowledge was exchanged between you. (I can almost smell that divine pony breath from your photo.Mmmmm . . . )

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    1. I got the feeling they were curious but baffled

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  3. weaver5:11 pm

    Lovely image John

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    1. I wonder what the neighbours thought of it weave

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  4. Traveller5:16 pm

    A book man, a book!

    We will demonstrate our chopsticks skills soon - Thai Green chicken curry with jasmine rice.

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    1. Lovely , but usually a bit watery for chopsticks

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  5. Old friends greeting each other. xx

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    1. For me it was, for them, ? Just touching base with strange human

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  6. Magical - You can whisper to the beautiful souls whenever you wish - How lucky x🐴🐎

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    1. I was incredibly happy when they appeared

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  7. Anonymous5:47 pm

    Where do they go during the winter?

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    1. They have different fields used in rotation

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  8. Love that big animal energy! They are like large, warm therapists!

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    1. Beautifully put Karla , their size and stillness in the dark this morning was rather special

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  9. A friend has a rescue centre in Devon for miniature Shetland ponies. She currently has about 45 and has a special friendship with each and every one of them. It's always bittersweet when they are rehomed.

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    1. My sister had a pony , a benign mare called rona who was very patient with me as a child

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    2. That was my mum's name x

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  10. Anonymous6:43 pm

    A prickly beard?

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  11. And I'll bet that made the entire day better. Just imagining it improved mine.

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    1. Do you know, you are right, it just made my morning…it was sweet

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  12. A very proper greeting, I think.

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  13. Barbara Anne9:40 pm

    Sweet welcome to and from your neighbors in the pasture next door.

    Hugs!

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  14. Ponies and/or horses grazing in a field are idyllic and picturesque. You will enjoy the ponies for a couple of months until they go to a new field.

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  15. You have your seasonal traditions, John. Welcoming the ponies in the Spring sounds nice!

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  16. Terrill11:07 pm

    Love horses. They’re smart and have good memories - I expect they remember you. When I was a child I had a largish (Mustang size) pony that my grandfather gave me. Loved seeing him race our truck up the winding driveway when we came for a visit. He was a sweet, mischievous soul. He would sneak up behind my grandfather and shove him in the creek if didn’t smell peppermint treats in his pockets. I’ve the opportunity to be certified in equine massage and there is a horse rescue near here. Seems like it might be a nice retirement activity once I escape Data Analytics.

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    1. All I know is not to walk at the straight on and keep sniffing with your eyes down ….

      Have I got that right mother?

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  17. Hippophilia is now widespread.

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  18. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  20. Pony whisperer....resume enhancer.

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  21. We no longer have horses in the fields around us (in France), and I really miss them. However, I don't miss the neglect they received from their owners.

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  22. The account of your 'interchange' brought a lump to my throat, which is still there - even though I've never been blessed with such an encounter.

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    1. Raymondo, you are not too old ..go and breath on a metropolitan police horse

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  23. How good to have them in the field again and to have a close moment with them all.

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  24. Anonymous12:02 pm

    I have three horses currently...most non- horse people just don’t get that! Thanks!

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    1. I sort of get it, but I don’t understand them as much as I do dogs

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    2. Anonymous11:17 am

      Also have three dogs! Horse people are always dog people..but not vice versa....

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  25. I love the smell of a happy horse.
    Enjoy talking to your new neighbours

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  26. Anonymous2:06 pm

    A poem for john
    ----------------------------
    kind and caring
    to man and beast!
    oh and so gentle
    and neighborly too!
    more sacrifice than jesus
    more wisdom than the saints
    that's john at the church cottage!

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    1. Lol I’m not sure about the Jesus bit
      Lol but thank u

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  27. Oh, John. That brought back such memories. I have loved horses since I was a little girl when my grandfather bought a retired circus horse to use for pleasure riding. Being the only grandchild who lived close, I was quite sure he bought it for me. I grew up riding that horse and spent many hours riding bareback on hot midwestern USA days, and leaning down to rest my face in the mane of Silver. I can pull that smell from my memory even now, 70 years later. Has there ever been anything softer than a horse's nose? Thank you for helping me remember.

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  28. Anonymous9:11 pm

    beautiful description of your love of the ponies.....I could smell and feel their warm, grassy breath just reading! My neighbor has 2 horses....one very loving (the other NOT) and there is nothing like giving *Cosmo* a carrot....and then having him gently snuffle my ear and nose and lips afterward with his soft and fuzzy lips!
    Susan M

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