Another Award for the Ribbon Wall

Today Musings of a Horse Mom is a proud recipient of The Versatile Blogger Award, courtesy of a nomination by Shakespeare’s new friend, Gypsy, at Hooves and Claws.

Thank you, Gypsy!

With The Versatile Blogger Award comes the responsibility of sharing a little information about yourself and paying the award forward:

•Display the Award Certificate on your website

•Announce your win with a post and link to whoever presented your award

•Present 15 awards to deserving bloggers

•Drop them a comment to tip them off after you’ve linked them in the post

•Post 7 interesting things about yourself

First things first …

Seven things to know about this Horse Mom:

1) Favourite childhood horse book … The Black Stallion by Walter Farley

2) Favourite breed … Hanoverian … (that’s my boy!)

3) I first started riding horses 40 years ago at Frith Manor Stables in North London, England. For four years or so it was my favourite place in the whole world.

4) I’m a bit obsessive about colour coordinating Bear’s exercise bandages (polos) and my outfit. It just feels better to be well turned out.

5)) I have my Bronze certification in the horse-friendly training methods of respected Canadian horse trainer, Chris Irwin

6)) I have been an Equine Canada certified level 1 coach since 1997

7) In 2008 I received a People Make A Difference Award from the Ontario Equestrian Federation for my volunteer efforts as President on behalf of Toronto CADORA, Canada’s longest-running dressage organization founded by eight-time Olympian, Christilot Boylen.

Now the fun part … blogs I nominate for The Versatile Blogger Award. I hope when you have a moment you’ll take an opportunity to pay them a visit. These blogs have moved and inspired me each in their own way, and while I’m not always able to visit on a regular basis to show my appreciation for their creative expression, passion and versatility, by this nomination I salute them.

In no particular order:

Scott Marshall Photography
Travel.Garden.Eat.
World Via Standby
Tex
Photographs by Peter Knight
Belle Grove Plantation Bed and Breakfast
Canadian Hiking Photography
Where the Dolphins Swim
Inspire 1 Life Every Day
Photography Memoirs — Fine Art Landscape Photography
Confident Horsemanship
The Return of the Modern Philosopher
Fabulous 50s
Mabry Campbell Photography
Cheryl Andrews
The Fight of My Life: Living with TBI

A special shout out to J.G. Burdette who nominated my blog, Eyes to Heart for The Versatile Blogger Award in spring 2012. I don’t know if there’s a statute of limitations re: acceptance of these awards, but I hope to follow up on that one soon.

Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans …

Nurture what you love …

Dorothy
Horse Mom

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Copyright Aimwell CreativeWorks 2013

… and this is Bear …

I love to admire my handsome Bear. In person or by image, his incredible beauty in body and spirit always brightens my day. He is the perfect panacea when I’m feeling blue.

And, as far as I’m concerned, he is the most beautiful horse in the whole world. (Every horse mom thinks their equine baby is the most beautiful in the world … ) And why not? He is, after all, my de facto “child” — the recipient of the tender ministrations my own children might have received had I been able to have any.

As the proud Mama Bear (I just made that up! Ha! ) of this 10-year-old, 16.3 hand, dark bay Hanoverian boy of superior handsomeness, I naturally feel compelled, on occasion, to whip out the old (well, new) Nikon D7000 and photograph him ad nauseam. And, as any proud parent would I share, and gush, over the images with my friends and family, whether they want to see them or not.

In the spirit of the proud parent, today’s post is a quasi photo album of Bear’s Wednesday training session with my friend Christine in the saddle.

A quiet and gifted rider, Christine occasionally babysits and rides Bear for me when my health or travels won’t permit. Bear adores her, which pleases me, for as every parent knows … it’s important to have a reliable and trustworthy baby sitter.

So, let’s get started …

So, here he is working at the trot. … Oh, what a handsome boy!! … And look how beautifully decked out he is in pale pink polo bandages to match Christine’s shirt! … Like me, Christine feels that colour co-ordination is important. I doubt that Bear cares one way or the other, but if I’m happy, he’s happy. … Besides looking smart the bandages actually serve as protection for his delicate lower legs where the hardworking tendons and ligaments hug the cannon bone just below the skin’s surface. Such fragile beasties …

… and this is Bear taking a break between exercises. Look at the blue highlights reflected in his coat. Just gorgeous! …

… and this is Bear and Christine executing a canter circle. See how all his weight (and Christine’s) is balanced momentarily on his left front foot? … His relaxed facial expression, softly swishing tail and expressive ears tell me he’s in the happy zone. What a good boy …

… and this is a partial view of Bear’s beautiful hind quarters. … So glad to have caught his lucky horse shoe … I spend more on his footwear than I do on my own! But he has a superior blacksmith and it’s worth every penny to know he’s soundly shod. … And look at that muscle tone! Like a rock! He’s just so athletic … I actually find it annoying when people make disparaging remarks involving the horse’s hind quarters. It’s a very powerful part of the equine anatomy and worthy of R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Together with that shod hoof it can seriously maim or, with enough force, even kill! …

… and this is Bear at the end of the training session. He’s demonstrating his relaxed and submissive state by stretching through his back and continuing to reach for a connection with Christine even though she has released the tension on the reins. Happy boy, happy mom …

… and this is Bear’s foamy (like cappuccino froth) muzzle … more evidence that he was happy and relaxed in his work. Bear has a reputation at the barn for superior foaminess … That’s my boy! …

… and this is Bear giving me the wooly eyeball, wondering what the heck I’m doing. Love those blue overtones … so handsome! …

… and this is Bear fishing at Christine’s hand for a treat. He received plenty of love … and carrots. He’s such a good boy …

… and this is Bear enjoying a post-workout nosh. Sun, grass, dandelions … a happier horse you’ll never see!

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There … my pride and joy … my beautiful boy.

Thanks for your time.

Nurture what you love …

Dorothy
Horse Mom

Copyright Aimwell Enterprises 2012 

Very Inspired Blogger Award

An award! For me? How wonderful!!!

Thank you, Michele Whitney, for nominating me for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. I feel most honoured. Your own musings of life inspire me, and how delighted I am to have found other bloggers, like you, with whom I seem to “click.” Reminds me that though we walk our individual paths alone we are all, nevertheless, sharing the journey of life (and healing, if we choose) and can inspire one another forward with each step. Thank you again, Michele.

Now, seven things you wouldn’t know about me … hmmm …

1) My favourite ice cream flavour is Baskin Robbins’ Chocolate Peanut Butter … Yum!

2) I’m working with a vocal coach to hone my jazz vocal technique

3) My favourite poet is Gerard Manley Hopkins … For his incredible use of imagery … (Shakespeare “The Equine” too, but that goes without saying … )

4) I have my green belt in Shotokan Karate (no longer practice for health reasons )

5) My favourite band is The Eagles and I’ve been fortunate to see them in concert twice …

6) In 2008 I was awarded the “People Make a Difference” Award by the Ontario Equestrian Federation for my efforts on behalf of local dressage

7) And last but not least … I make a mean homemade chicken soup …

Now … the bloggers that I nominate for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award:

1) http://www.jgburdette.wordpress.com/ … for inspiring me to pay attention to the lessons of history and reminding me that if we do not learn from the past we are doomed to repeat it …

2) http://www.patcegan.wordpress.com/ … for being an ongoing source of inspiration

3) http://www.palmbeachcountynaturally.wordpress.com/ … for inspiring me to more fully appreciate our avian friends

4) http://www.thechangeyourlifeblog.wordpress.com/ … for inspiring me to keep looking inside for the answers

5) http://www.knowthesphere.wordpress.com/ … for inspiring me to look beyond my sphere

6) http://www.resilientheart.wordpress.com/about/ … for inspiring me to be resilient

7) http://www.tracielouisephotography.net/blog/ … for inspiring me to see the beauty in all things …

Please visit, and enjoy, these inspired blogs.

Another “Musings of a Horse Mom” post will follow in the next few days.

Nurture what you love …

Dorothy
Horse Mom

Copyright Aimwell Enterprises 2012