Saturday, February 1, 2014

Donkey Assisted Therapy

It did warm up a bit the last two days, made it all the way up to 30 degrees, a real heat wave!  I took the donkeys out for a walk and look who came along, the wanna-be donkey...

I wouldn't try this with most horses, but Tessa is a singularly level headed young mare who listens well and loves her donkeys.  We only went out onto the easiest trail right out my back yard where they couldn't get into too much trouble if things got too crazy, but that didn't happen and we all had fun.  So nice to get out.

Ramsey won't get too far away from Emma and Tess won't go off without them.  Emma is my loadstone, the sweet, wise soul who holds it all together - just as long as I can hold onto her:).

There were some moments of craziness that I could not manage to get pictures of.  Ramsey was like a little ping-pong ball, zipping back and forth between Tessa and Emma and generally being the wild little heathen that he is.

Tessa had her moments too, but mostly just loved being out, doing something.  Horses and donkeys love having somewhere to go, things to do, they love to be moving.  Movement is the fundamental element of equine existence and our cosseted pets don't get near enough of it.  They love having a job to do as well, even if that job is just wandering in the woods, maybe especially if that job is wandering in the woods.

One of the best things about animals is that it is easy to make them happy, they find joy in simply doing the things they are meant to do...

and they reflect that joy back to us if we can just set aside our burdens and expectations for a moment and join in.



11 comments:

  1. Three lucky, happy equines. Thank you!

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  2. oh, tessa is so beautiful. she really looks lovely out there.

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  3. They are all so cute and endearing. Tessa definitely has one of the sweetest looking faces. You are very fortunate to have them as part of your therapy, as are they fortunate to have you.

    ~ Valerie

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  4. It does look a touch warmer there. Glad you could get out for a walk. I love the fifth picture of Tessa looking at you. That would be pretty framed...but then so would all the others! :)

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  5. oh you are so right
    what a joy to see these photos

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  6. Just love the shots of your forest home and all your words are so so true!

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  7. I think the ability to take your equines for a walk is fantastic! How perfect for both you and them.

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  8. Love the pictures, those look like some thoroughly contented equines :-)

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  9. An American in TokyoFebruary 4, 2014 at 7:57 PM

    Tessa looks so lovely in that first photo!! Her facial expression is too cute!!

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  10. I am playing "catch-up" on blogs today. Your pictures as usual are great. I learned more about horses a couple of years ago from some books written for youth. They were excellent in their teachings on horse mannerisms, care, and treatment as well as their social interactions with humans and other horses. It was fascinating reading.

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