This has nothing to do with either the History of the Medieval World or the Art of the Public Grovel.
Max (aka Magnus Maximus), the Belgian draft horse I bought a couple of weeks ago, has arrived.
I grew up around horses and have ridden for most of my life (that includes a number of years riding jumpers, more years teaching for pocket money, and a weird summer when I galloped racehorses at a track in Ashland…that’s a long story), but I haven’t had a horse since I started having babies instead. They don’t necessarily go together. But now everyone’s old enough to help out, ride, and enjoy. So after months of saving up, fence-building, and planning, I bought Max. He’s huge. But also very calm and friendly…kind of like an eighteen-hundred-pound puppy with feet like Frisbees.
I’m hunting around now for one more horse…something smaller, for the beginners to ride, but still big enough for me to get on and school. That way the kids can go out riding together. Also Max will have company. He’s never been stabled alone, and he’s already broken out twice to go visit the neighbor’s cows. We’ve reinforced all the weak spots we can find, but he’s spending a lot of time staring out of the corner of the pasture at the woods (the cows are through the trees on the other side of the property line).
He’s beautiful. He looks so lonely! I hope you find a horse-friend for him soon. A noble creature like that ought not be pining for cows 🙂
I know NOTHING about horses, but somehow that fence just doesn’t look like much of a challenge for a creature of that size. Does it take more than a nudge – more than a strong, hmmm-no-one-seems-to-be-looking, nonchalant lean?
Have fun!
What a beauty! We buy our eggs and other goodies from a farm nearby that raises Belgians. They are amazing, though I do feel intimidated when we have to walk behind a pair of them to get to the refrigerator! You must feel such a sense of relief to have horses in your life again.
My uncle raises Thoroughbreds and sometimes, new horses will arrive with their own pet goat to keep them company. It’s pretty funny to see these sleek, elegant horses with their own personal goat-therapist. Maybe Max needs a goat too.
Max is HUGE and BEAUTIFUL.
That “looking across at the cows” pick is so sad == may Social Max have a pal and soon.
Di
Awwww…he’s so sweet! Must. Not. Let. Second. Daughter. See. This. Post.
This would be my daughter’s dream come true. If only someone had warned me against letting her read ‘My Friend Flicka’ when she was eight. Ruined she was, ruined!
I love your books Susan. Thank you and your mother a million times over…
Does he eat Belgian Waffles and Belgian Chocolates? 😉 I don’t know anything at all about horses. I do, however, know a thing of beauty when I see it. Max is beautiful! Your property is too. If you have time, and would like to see 3 beautiful things in my life…go to scatterjoyphotography.com and look for “Hogan”. Jack, Andrew, and Will are there in all their sweet silliness. Happy Wednesday!
Lol. My first horse kept escaping when we got him and running back to the farm where we’d boarded him. As soon as we bought a second horse the escapes stopped. It was hilarious, we caught him scooting out under a barn door through a spot about two feet high. That was after we defeated his jumping over the door practice. Thanks for triggering a fun memory!
Oooh, so jealous! You do realize how unfair all this is when I’m sitting here in the middle of a big city! 🙂 Seriously, Max is gorgeous, and I hope that he (and his friend-to-come) become a wonderful addition to your family.
There’s something magical about horses, elephants, and dolphins. They’re such inherently friendly/social creatures!
Do horses see straight, to the side, or both?
Their eyes are to the side (as most prey are), but yet
they seem to be at a 45 degree angle giving them a near 360 – 45 -45 degree view (270 degrees). I wonder if they have depth perception sideways.
Horses are such beautiful animals. (I’m regretting not joining the equestrian team in my undergrad years – maybe I’ll revisit it. Most people that join are experience riders)
BTW, I’m soul searching to determine if I should go into social sciences (liberal arts) than in mathematics/engineering. Any advice you can give me – I’d appreciate much!
Cheers.
Oh my goodness, I didn’t know you were a horse person. I guess I should have!
Lee