New babies

Earlier this spring, I was making several trips back and forth to a nearby town. Every day I would pass by this standardbred horse farm. Finally one day - the mares were out in one of the pastures next to the road. There is lots of shade and lots of green grass in this particular pasture - and there were probably about six or eight mares and their wee ones, whiling away the afternoon hours, tails switching, little ones close to their dams.

As always I marvel at new life. Whether it's birds, goats, sheep, cattle, dogs or cats, but especially horses. I've always loved these big creatures... and mostly they've responded by at the very least acknowledging me.

This day I got out of the car having finally remembered my camera, and began snapping away. completely ignored by the mums who dozed in the shade of huge trees. A couple of foals moved closer to their dams as I got closer to the fence. But all was serene. It was quite the tableau.

As I watched, one youngster began to nurse and a mare nibbled grass as her babe moved in closer, little tail switching at blackflies.

 This mare glanced at me and moved her head between me and her foal.

Turning back to protect her baby, tail switching as if to say - okay enough already. Leave us in peace now.

And so I did.

But I was quite taken with the wonder of these animals. They're bred to race. To pull a sulky and a driver. Generally they love this - or appear to.

And while I'm sometimes conflicted about horse racing, dog racing, turtle racing even - I know that some animals like some people really do have it bred into them and love the challenge and the joy of just plain running in a pack with others of their kind. And then again you hear horror stories.
But for today, it was a peaceful scene, a pastoral afternoon, full of tranquility. It made me think of sunny afternoons I'd spent with my boys when they were babes - out in the parks of the big city, or at a cottage, by a lake or a river.

Today was somewhat the same where I live at the moment. Warm and sunny with a lovely breeze across the deck...dogs dozing nearby, cats snoozing in deck chairs (they do like to be pampered those two) and I felt and still feel completely blessed that I too can sometimes doze in the sunshine with my babes nearby.

May you each experience the same if not today, tomorrow or soon.

What will happen to the horses?

This field has ten foals - five of them not yet weaned from their mothers. They are part of the small herd of standard-bred horses that are bred and raised by the fellow who owns and operates this small outfit. He was a vet I've heard, many years ago for one of the largest breeding and standard bred racing outfits in Ontario.

The animals here are sleek, well-cared for and obviously loved.

What will happen to them I wonder when the Ontario government makes the changes to the horse-racing industry in the province by eliminating slot machines from race tracks and thus some of the revenue that goes to breeders, vets, farmers that raise the hay and other crops for horse feed and municipalities who also share in some of the profits from the slots? Not that I approve of slot machines. But the industry has grown in Ontario, it seems to me, largely because of the location of these gambling machines being placed at race tracks. It will take more research for more informed comment from me on this issue...I just know how much I enjoy seeing the young foals on the grass with their mums. Horses are and have been throughout much of humankind's history, companion animals that work with and for us.

But I just love them for whatever reason and always stop if I have time to watch them when I pass by. Yesterday I took my camera with me, not intending to go by this particular farm, but when I did - what fun.

The two youngsters below were curious about me when I got to the fence, but way too hungry to come close to be petted. The one on the left kept it's eyes on me, watching as it ripped out grass, not raising its head much, listening to my conversation with her and her buddy. Nice 20 minutes or so spent enjoying these babies.

So one day I'll do some research and tell you what the results are of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission's decision - it was a pretty abrupt one, based theoretically the politicians claim, on getting Ontario's debt under control.... hmmm. I believe in debt control, elimination even. But...well as I said another day another story.

Meantime don't you like the photos of these youngsters? Wonder if there's a winner among them? Or a horse that someday a child would ride and feel like he or she was riding on the wind?

When we're very young

There are many horse farms and equestrian centres in this "neck of the woods" and I find myself driving slowly by them. I love dogs, cats, all animals really, but my all time favourites are horses.

I slowed the car when I saw this beautiful pair in a field at a large centre near my home. Mum was near the fence by the road as I drew to a stop. As I got out of the car, she raised her head, snorted and trotted away, baby at her side, the side away from me. I chuckled as for several minutes she shielded the foal from my view.  When I didn't move any more she gradually settled and the moved towards some fresh hay burying her nose in it. Her foal ran along behind her, flirting around, always aware that there was something different at the fence, and so not moving to far away from its mother.

There is something quite beautiful about foals - maybe all young things. As I drove to Toronto last week, I passed a very large standard bred racing barn. This outfit breeds horses for the track, and in spring there is always at least one large field with mothers and babes out enjoying the good weather.

My reward was to watch several foals racing around, chasing each other, playing and mothers as well, everyone feeling great to be out of stalls and confining barns, able to run and play in the fresh spring air. Too far away for a photo unfortunately, but enough for me to enjoy.

There's something about spring and fresh air isn't there? Everything seems to be affected and get a sense of well-being - and it shows.