Sunday Stills - The Open Road

I knew immediately what I wanted to do.


thecrazysheeplady

We have a wonderful, now retired, carriage horse, Handy. This beloved friend has been my partner for over 20 years now. As a gift we horse people are occasionally given, this honest old horse has taken me so many places, taught me so much, opened so many doors and brought joy to so many people...especially me.


Saint Tim

Keeping one ear cocked back towards me, as a good driving horse should, we headed down the road for the first time in over a year and a half.



While not a Sunday Still, I thought you might like to join us for a minute on the open road.


Saint Tim

Heading back to the barn. That's the new horse Gato in the distance. Amanda, his trainer, was out this morning for a lesson. I had been cleaning my very dusty harness. She noticed and mentioned that as a kid she used to work for someone with driving horses. Turns out a mutual friend - who had recently passed away.

I was humbled as I set the harness across Handy's back and quietly wept a little as I adjusted it to compensate for his aging and diminished size. I know the big red horse won't be with me forever.



This video is mostly for me, but you are welcome to watch if you'd like. It's shaky and pixelated and I wish I hadn't waited until he was old and been hanging out in the pasture for so long, but it's something I'll treasure.

Handy's enjoying his retirement, but I think he might have enjoyed...just a little...being the star for awhile again. Not too long though. I didn't hook him in the cross ties as I was hanging up the harness and came back from the tack room to see him heading out the back door. I gave him a pat and a big "thank you", rubbed out his sweat marks with my hand, pulled off his halter and let him go on.

Thank you, Saint Tim, for playing groom/navigator once again and for taking the pictures and videos.

For more Sunday Stills on the open road...