Happiness is...

Happiness is seeing that smiling face when I walk in the barn. He always has that look of "hey, where have you been and where is my treat?" He has trained me well because there is always a piece of sugar, the bite of an apple or carrot or maybe a stray peppermint in my pocket that tops off my salutation. He is very content to take the small offering and go back to his second cut while I gather all the paraphernalia.

Happiness is NOT all the paraphernalia during the winter months. Blankets (2), boots (6), saddle pad, riser pad, saddle, girth, quarter sheet, bridle, whip, cooler... all of it must be dragged out and pressed into service after I have groomed my dirty boy. I work up a sweat just thinking about it. Yet at the same time, I would not trade one moment I spend with His Magnificence. His overt love for a good curry, his curious nature, the little nips he gives me then self-flagellates for inflicting... it is all good and makes me of good humor. So why complain?

Happiness is... watching four little girls on their ponies enjoying horsemanship as only a young mind can... with abandon. Happiness is NOT having to share the indoor with these joyful children who can run you down in a moment's notice. Can you tell not much schooling was done today? Blu felt a bit stiff and stuck to start so we had a nice canter in both directions, got him loose and called it a day. The beauty of having a schoolmaster is that you do not have to school hard everyday. I think he thanked those 4 ponies as we left the indoor.