For as long as Barbara Hutson could remember, she dreamed of having a horse farm and of surrounding herself daily with these magical, mystical, and majestic creatures. Suddenly, she found herself living her lifelong dream. In Knowing Horses by Heart, she talks about the joys and challenges of owning horses. Her poems consider the life lessons she has learned-such as the value of patience and respect-while considering how worthwhile owning horses has been for her. Like most fantasies, the reality of our fondest wishes can be a bit more than we bargained for. Owning a horse farm is not all serene days gazing at horses playing in the field or peaceful rides into the sunsets. Horses are bigger than life. With that comes events that are also tremendous in size and impact which lends richness and color to the fabric of our life story. Fully illustrated, Knowing Horses by Heart shares through poetry some of the knowledge Barbara has accumulated through her equine encounters. Little Girl Giggles The gift is sweeter than that very first kiss Seeing those looks of sheer wonder and bliss There is nothing quite like watching the eyes Of a child as she squeals with excited cries As the magic of real horses fills up the space The look of pure amazement covers her face . . .
Knowing Horses by Heart
A Collection of Poems Written with Appreciation for the Horses in My WorldBy Barbara J. HutsoniUniverse, Inc.
Copyright © 2012 Barbara J. Hutson
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4759-3919-4Contents
1. A Ride in the Snow...................................12. Aromatherapy.........................................53. Ask a Mare...........................................94. Barnyard Glamour.....................................135. Birth of a Foal......................................196. Built for Comfort, Not for Speed.....................23Equi-Accidents..........................................27Folk Remedy.............................................35Hanging Out.............................................39Horsework before Housework..............................43Little Girl Giggles.....................................51Poetry in Motion........................................55The Art of Saying Goodbye...............................59Tough Choices...........................................63When I was a Kid........................................67Yep, I Spoil My Horse...................................73
Chapter One
A Ride in the Snow I walked down the hill to the barn where my horses are found
On a clear winter's morning with fresh snow on the ground
I heard the soft nickers greeting me from the stalls
I saw the halters all hanging from the hooks on the walls
I made up a warm mash to chase off the chill
And stood listening to them eating as hungry horses will
I really had no intention of riding that day
Just doing my chores then going my way
I suddenly felt an old memory deep inside of me stir
Was it really so wonderful? I had to be sure
I walked over to the stall where my favorite mare stood
And right then and there decided I would
When she had finished her breakfast and her belly was full
I snapped on her lead rope and gently gave it a pull
I saddled her up and we headed on out
Feeling that it is times like this are what it's about
Just me and my horse the world silent and white
Quietly trotting out to meet the day's first light
She was tossing her head and wanting to go
Excited to be travelling on the year's first snow
At first I was worried, afraid she would slip
But she told me in her way, she was up for the trip
So, I loosened the reins and away we did fly
I couldn't have stopped her - I didn't try
The snow was flying and the sky turning blue
When I realized this ride belonged to her too
I knew she was having even more fun than me
We both felt the thrill you feel being free
Her mane was blowing back as she kicked up her heels
I knew she was remembering how a young filly feels
The reason I know what I'm saying is true
Is because I was feeling like a young girl too
It had been a very long time, a good many years
Since I had turned it all loose, put away all my fears
I trusted her to carry me safely that day
To the place deep inside me where old memories lay
To a time I was young, carefree and bold
Before I turned 50, before she was sold
Back to a time when my very first horse and me
Ran alone in the snow with me laughing with glee
It all came back to me on that morning ride
Tears of a pure youthful joy I could no longer hide
I slowed my horse down and as we wandered along
The crunch of the snow played out like a song
There's nothing else like it, no music so sweet
As the rhythm beat out by my mare's four feet
Add to the mix my dog running happily astride
I felt the grin on my face stretching ever so wide
When it was over and I quietly walked at her side
I silently thanked her again for the wonderful ride
I gave her an apple for the new memory I'll keep
I buried my face in her neck and breathed in deep
There's no better smell anywhere on this earth
There's no way to explain just what it is worth
I turned her loose and away up the hill she did run
Glistening and golden in the mid-morning sun
It's a magical thing, a treasure I know
To have such vivid memories of a ride in the snow
Aromatherapy You may think me crazy
And that may be true
But one of my favorite smells
Just may surprise you
It's not the heady aroma
That comes from the flowers
That fills up the air
After warm spring showers
It is not exotic perfumes
Rich potpourri or spice
Those aren't the things
That make me sniff twice
It's not fresh bread baking
Although, it comes close
I will tell you what scent
I love the most
It's when I bury my face
In my horse's neck
That makes me all giddy
That makes me a wreck
I can't explain just what
That smell does to me
But it makes my heart skip
And it fills me with glee
So warm and so earthy
I know of nothing so good
I would bottle and sell it
If only I could
I take deep breaths
I just can't get enough
I don't know why, but
I love that stuff
Maybe it's because it
Makes it all real
I have a horse
How lucky I feel
Maybe it's because
I go to a place in my mind
Where the best things are kept
Things only I can find
Or maybe it's because
Dreams get buried in sleep
They only can reach me
When I breathe her scent deep
Of all of my treasures
This is one I won't trade
This is one I shall value
It's worth doesn't fade
If you have never experienced
What I am talking about
Make it a point in your life
And don't go without
Close your eyes tight
And get up real close
Press into her neck
With the end of your nose
Let the scent take you
Into the world of horses
Away with the wind
And all nature's forces
I hope you will feel the power
When you take in the smell
But if you don't understand it
It is a secret I'll never tell
Ask a Mare Unlike the obliging gelding
That wants or needs to be told
What you need from him next-
Be soft and quiet or fast and bold
He willingly heeds your commands
With no qualms or questions in mind
He's known to be trusting and obedient
The predicable push-button kind
Or the magnificent stallion who demands
The right to an equal vote in the matter
Regardless of the time or subject at hand
Dismissing direct orders and useless chatter
The only real way he will ever be convinced
To accept your challenge or grant an appeal
Is with a confident horse-to-man discussion
In what may end up being a lengthy ordeal
When it comes to the more feminine gender
I can tell you what's true on any given day
A mare needs you to give her opinion a chance
Let her be heard, let her have her say
To get her to give her best performance
And be the great girl you've come to expect
Avoid giving orders in a no-nonsense way
Remember she's female and show her respect
Don't use a strong hand to bully her,
Show her who's boss, or force her along
She'll tune you out or maybe even resist
If she's uneasy or if she thinks you are wrong
If she's the Alpha who looks out for the herd
Remember her position and please don't forget
She carries the responsibility of her job seriously
She won't hesitate to offer her life to protect
Like a typical, multi-facetted woman
Her work and her day is never done
She perpetually keeps watch over her charges
And when you're around, even considers you one
And that is the reason nothing is taken for granted
There is a lot on her plate and she needs to be sure
She doesn't mean to be trying, stubborn or moody
She has to be careful - her reasons are pure
Times when she balks or questions your asking
Sidesteps restlessly and throws nervous glances
Just stay calm, don't be angry and impatient
Understand while she heeds her mind's dances
A mare's self-preservation runs extremely high
It is those basest of instincts that make her the best
Give her the time and the chance to determine
When she feels it's OK to grant your request
When it comes to generalities and common cliché's
I admit I have enjoyed giving and getting my share
I get protective when it comes to sayings about horses
Because not a whole lot of truth is usually found there
But with this particular quote about my equine friends
I have to say, I believe the assessment is mostly fair
"You may tell a gelding & discuss it with a stallion,
But always remember it's best to kindly
ask a mare"
Barnyard Glamour When it comes up in conversation
That my job is running a stable
I will get the most envious looks
Like my life is somewhat of a fable
"You're living my dream"
I've heard it over and over
As they envision beautiful horses
Grazing in grassy fields with clover
They imagine and ponder
And how great it must be
How romantic and thrilling
To be around horses like me
The soft nickers and nuzzles
The majestic beauty and speed
The private comical antics
Are an envious treasure indeed
And while those things may be true
And I love it with all of my heart
They are missing my life's daily reality
What I call the "glamorous" part
To them, an occasional trip to the barn
Is exciting and their eyes gleam with stars
But the first thing I notice upon their arrival
Is them on a cell phone in their clean spiffy cars
You see, what serves as my "limo"
Rides smooth as a buck
Better known to us horse people
As simply "the truck"
The outside is usually dusty
And sometimes covered in mud
The interior littered with horse stuff
Along with dog hair and crud
As far as the luxury of using a phone
It isn't a practical or a wise thing for me
To let my attention wander elsewhere
Let alone the use my hands not being free
The visitors come to look at the horses
Dressed in immaculately clean clothes
Carefully trying not to get anything icky
On all those cute ruffles, ribbons and bows
The wearing of those fine clothes
May be most every girl's wish
But when it comes to the barnyard
I think my old jeans are more stylish
The ladies' hair may be coiffed
And I know what they pay
While my extensions are free
And consist of pieces of hay
To them, messed up hair like mine
Is considered almost a crime
Simply caught in a ponytail
Almost all of the time
Their nails are just perfect
Neatly manicured and clean
While mine are more "natural"
You know what I mean?
They come wearing cute sandals
Or shiny boots without even a scuff
Compared to my trusty barn shoes
Broke in, dirty, faded and rough
They are adorned in necklaces
And dangling gold earrings
My jewelry hangs over my shoulder
Like ropes, halters and things
The pampered girls have hands
So soft, dainty, and smooth
Mine are more like the leather
No amount of lotion can soothe
Their workout routines are done
On fancy machines and ballet rails
I get my daily exercise with
A pitchfork and by carrying pails
They take so much time
To make up their faces just so
While I jump out of bed and
Straight to the barn I do go
When nature comes calling
And there is a need for relief
A suggested trip behind the barn
Brings looks of disbelief
I wonder if they would wish
To give my life a try
When I am soaked in the rain
And they are inside and dry
How many would really
Trade places with me
And choose to be sweating
When it is 100 degrees?
If given the choice,
Would their dreams be true?
Would they really and honestly
Want to do what I do?
Would they truly give up
The comforts they've known
To take on the "good life"
If the reality was shown?
That is why I inwardly grin
When I hear women say
"You are living my dream"
And I know I am, - in my way
Although barnyard glamour is iffy,
The choice I made remains clear
For there is no other place on this earth
That holds my heart so dear
Maybe my life isn't all that desirable
As it is imagined by others to be
But I would never forsake it
It is the perfect lifestyle for me
Birth of a Foal There is just no explaining the extent of the thrill
Of expecting the arrival of a newborn foal
Just waiting and watching in the midnight chill
Staying steady and ready being my primary role
My mare's been uneasy and pacing most of the night
So I settle in to bunk just outside of her stall
I don't want to bother her so I stay out of sight
Knowing that if she needs me, I won't miss her call
Her pacing increases and she breaks into a sweat
I try to peek over the stall door quiet and still
She seems ready but her glance tells me no, not yet
Everything will be fine. I just pray that it will
So I go back to my bed to give her some space
Thinking I am probably just making her anxious
She needs to go through this at her own natural pace
She doesn't need me nervously making a fuss
I must have dozed off for an hour or so
Because I woke with a start and my heart froze
I could no longer hear her pacing to and fro
So I run to the stall while my panic grows
I shine the flashlight into the dark space
She's standing quietly eating away at the hay
Then my light finds the most wondrous face
Of my new foal staring at me from where he lay
My heart stood still and my breath escaped me
As I looked at this perfectly beautiful being
This was truly a miracle, I know you'd agree
Even I could hardly believe what I was seeing
A big white blaze shone bright as the moon
Lighting up his face as he took in his new world
Then as I watched what seemed to be way too soon
He tried to stand and those long legs unfurled
With soft nudges of encouragement from his mother
It wasn't long at all before he was up on his feet
I held perfectly still until I thought I would smother
Exhaling only when he successfully found her full teat
The emotion grew until I was sure my heart would burst
Watching those first minutes of my dream come true
I grabbed my phone and knew just who I would call first
I need my best friend there with me to witness this too
Those first wobbly steps grew ever steady and stronger
And he was actually running around in a very short time
Then he grew sleepy and just couldn't go any longer
I watched him napping and couldn't believe he was mine
Years have gone by now and held so many wondrous ways
Hardly a day has gone by that he has not been in my sight
He is one of life's greatest gifts and brightens my days
But nothing compares to how I felt on that magical night
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Knowing Horses by Heartby Barbara J. Hutson Copyright © 2012 by Barbara J. Hutson. Excerpted by permission of iUniverse, Inc.. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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