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Scraps and scribbles from 1960 - 2015 |
Gentle jazz strains filled the empty night air. They knew it was time for food. They were curious about the stranger. A large stallion with the heart-shaped spot on his flank turned to face the visitors as his gentle brown eyes watched perceptively. As we moved among them, they wrapped around us, first one, and then another. The foal, seeking to suckle, followed his pregnant mother. She let him try, though she was already conserving her resources for the unborn life within her. The stranger moved the brush in circles over the stallion and then moved on to the foal, talking and grooming. The mare kept her only good eye on the activities, looking for hay and grain and protecting herself from unwelcome stallion advances by moving adeptly aside. As the stranger began to groom the foal, the mare circled around to watch and the stallion wrapped his head around her shoulder and pulled her gently into him. The stranger felt calmly encircled and gently embraced by these large creatures. Moving on to brush the mare, the stallion thought this might be another chance to test his manly ability, but the mare turned swiftly, glaring at him. He got her message and turned away. Besides, the hay and grain should be coming soon. He softly nickered and spoke to the visitors and tried to reciprocate in the grooming. The stranger laughed at the tugging sensation as he rooted in her back pocket, and as he tried again to make sure he pulled the one with the brush close as the other went about the daily chores. Power and majesty, thrill and awe, respect and care, meets a gentle attitude that radiates from soft brown, intelligent eyes. The horse has been described in words by so many, but the Nez Perce tribe that raised the Appaloosa was thought to have the gentlest and most intelligent horses of the time. Perhaps because they knew to treat horses with respect and to care for their spirit as well as their physical needs, the Appaloosa blossomed in their tribe and responded in kind. Wandering out to the field, the nighttime visitors searched for the horses in the pasture. Under a star-studded September night-sky, softly blanketed by the Milky Way, three large dark shadows moved silently through the mist on the ground. Tree shapes formed the edge of the pasture on the far end and, off to the right, defined the gentle slope of the hill. One of the shadows stood on the apex of the hill, her outline taking shape before us. She looked majestic against the night sky, silhouetted in the dark, punctuated by the twinkling light of the stars. She stood quietly, dark horse against motionless dark tree line. Then in the blink of an eye she was next to us, just sniffing and wondering why the strangers were visiting at night. Demi tossed her head proudly. Her markings were apparent even in the dark, a testament to her Appaloosa breeding. This was an exceptional horse and she wanted us to know. Lori called for the others and suddenly, through the mist of the night, a black shadow dissolved and a horse appeared. Inquisitive, gently seeking, wondering, accepting and watching... the young filly quietly eyed the visitors. Finally, Uma appeared, seemingly floating out of the mist. Taller and older, she was the watcher, the guardian of this little band. Working her way between the others, she too accepted the visitors, both known and unknown, who brushed, speaking softly and petting lovingly. Suddenly the horses were gone. Startled by the soft blowing of wind, they disappeared into the dark field. Were they really there? The tree line gently moved to the breeze. It was an ethereal, dream-like encounter. Watching from the edge of his field, the young stallion awaited our return. He was chased from the feed bucket when he tried to steal the mare’s food. Arching her neck she pulled her head up and looked at him, baring teeth, with lips silently pulled back in a snarl. He got the message and had swiftly turned away. Containing her aggressive posture, content that her point was made, she returned to eating, satisfied her foal would have enough food. The stranger marveled at her swift and clear message; she was in charge. Leading the way, with a protective big-brother, did you have a good time tonight attitude; the stallion returned with us from the pasture. He edged close to the known visitor. She was his leader and would protect him from the mare who chastised him and might not let him back. Indeed he returned safely with her. Once again the herd encircled the strangers as they talked and petted and brushed and marveled at the gentle spirit emanating from each animal. Nuzzling, grooming and caressing each other and the visitors, the stallion wrapped his head around them once again, encircling and folding them protectively close. His message was clear. Thank you for coming, for bringing dinner and for visiting and for brushing us, he seemed to say. We care that you care. Grace and dignity, softness and strength, pride and intelligence, curiosity and respect, graciousness and playful humor, combines to create Wap-Paloosas. tuc 9/7/2004 |
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