He paws the earth and revels in his own strength

And the earth and all its creatures know his joy

His muscles ripple in the noonday sun

His nostrils flare with the excitement of newly-found freedom

His head and tail held high, he prances.


Author unknown


This is a portion of a poem that someone gave me when I showed my Andalusian horses. The love of horses is a special gift. I don't ride anymore but I still remember the power and majesty of riding a horse.

9 comments

  1. Mary Marvella // June 28, 2008 at 3:44 PM  

    I don't ride but I can imagine! i have pictures of your Baby having sex.

  2. Mary Ricksen // June 28, 2008 at 4:22 PM  

    I remember that feeling, it's a part of me. To this day I get excited just smelling barns odors. Not just the horse doo, but horses have a scent that stays on you, and I love it. Then there's the leather tackle smell and hay and oats. Ah it's perfume to me. You have to love horses to understand.
    I would love to even sit a horse, and just walk.

  3. Nightingale // June 28, 2008 at 4:44 PM  

    I need to find a picture of Bonito to post with a tale (tail) about him!

  4. Toni V.S. // June 28, 2008 at 6:50 PM  

    Linda, that is beautiful and a beautiful picture, tool There's a quote from the Bible about horses (which I can't at the moment remember) but it's similar to what you've written. Makes me hark back to the days when I was able to ride.

  5. Beth Trissel // June 28, 2008 at 7:34 PM  

    Gorgeous poem. I can really see the horse.

  6. Nightingale // June 28, 2008 at 8:37 PM  

    I lived and breathed horses for yonks of years. One day I burned out, the reason being a mare and a foal struck down by lightning.

    Loving horses is an incurable disease. One day, I'll ride again. Heck I plan to ride with the Middleburg Hunt (Ms. Beth) when I'm 70.

  7. Anonymous // June 29, 2008 at 8:14 PM  

    Linda
    How tragic to lose both mare and fold. You must not allow the tradegy to rob you of your love for horses! I took my granddaughter to watch a friend's riding lesson one day this week. It was hot, and I don't do hot, ask Mary Marvells, but I stay long enough to watch the beautiful interaction between young rider, trainer and beautiful gelding. A lovely experience inspite of the heat.

    Melba from Georgia

  8. Nightingale // June 30, 2008 at 5:50 PM  

    Melba, thanks for stopping by! I still love horses. Nothing will ever take that away. One day, who knows, I may ride again. The real reason I quit riding is that I live in a city and it's difficult--long drives to and fro.

    And to write!

  9. Anonymous // July 4, 2008 at 3:44 PM  

    Hey Linda,
    I really enjoyed your poem. I've only had one experience with a horse and it wasn't as frightening as I thought it would be. But, thanks to your poem I'm ready to go back for more.
    Pamela Varndo