I don’t know anything about this horse other than I drive by him four or five times a week. We have become friends. it started a few weeks ago, I saw him gazing out at the road, and I had an apple lying on the front seat. I was going to eat it.
I decided to give it to him.
I had this feeling that the horse was talking to me, or wanting to know me. I know it’s strange, and I have no reason to think it’s true. But I pulled over, walked across the road, and held out my apple. He’s always outside. There is a pole barn up the hill, and he has the run of a wide pasture, lots of grass in warm weather, I remember.
He was 20 or 30 feet up the hill. He stared at me for a while, and I looked back at him, holding the apple out in my hand and over the fence and whispering to him. He came over and took several bites out of the apple in the same way the donkeys do. He was gentle and chewed slowly, staring at me the whole time.
I told him my name and suggested we hang out together once in a while and briefly.
I walked back across the road and drove on. The next time I went by, I had a couple of apples. I pulled over and walked across the road again, saying hello softly. He came and ate both apples, and then we stared at one another. He did allow me to scratch the side of his face, something the donkeys like.
I did this a couple of days ago and again today. He looks for me now and comes down the hill as soon as he sees my car slow down. So I’ve made a new friend. It might just be the apples, but I think we somehow click. These things are mysterious, and I am wary of projecting my own emotions onto animals.
We really don’t know what they are thinking.
This friendship isn’t going anywhere, and I don’t need to know his name or owner. I like seeing him when I drive by and sharing an apple and a few minutes with him.
He is quite dignified and has a lot of poise. And I’m happy to see him when I go by and stop. I asked if I could take his picture today, and he didn’t mind.
I like this guy. He is calm and dignified. And I think he was looking for a friend.
precious creatures, flowers, and ur writing…ty jon glad to hear u r well!
heart emoji 2 you and m
Jesus Christ, Jon! Why do you think it’s appropriate to feed someone else’s horse without permission? Would you think it was fine if someone drove by your property, got out of the car, and decided to feed Bud a chunk of liver? Sheesh! Boundaries, man! Keep Jesus out of it…he fed donkeys and total strangers and was worshipped for it..
I think of Robert Frost and his wonderful poem about stopping on the road in Vermont to give apples to the horses… I’m so glad people like you were not around on social media to yell “sheesh” at him from behind your computer. I’ll visit the horse often and bring him apples. And remember the days when people would mind their own business. I call people like you Stink Bugs
On social media, no good or personal deed goes with a yenta peeing on it..
He is beautiful. I have no doubt he now waits for you to visit him especially for the tasty apple. Thank you so much for caring.
Thanks, Sandra, I wait for him also…
I agree with you, Sandra.
I have five horses and I knew this post would light up with comments.
Horses are amazingly intuitive and smart. Even if you didn’t do this again for another year, this horse will recognize your car and you.
My opinion concerning your description of the way the horse is living; big pasture, run-in shed, the apple won’t bother him. And he has made a connection with you. That’s precious and wonderful.
Thanks Rachel, it felt quite precious to me..
He is a beauty, Jon. Friends like these, even if we don’t know what they are thinking, are incredibly rewarding. Mutual benefit without unreasonable expectations.
Oh yes, horses are herd animals (like sheep and goats), and if he is truly alone in that pasture, without a companion, he really does appreciate the company, scratches, and of course the apples. Good for you Jon!
delicate/strong story
Horses – such feeling animals. I always feel better when I’m around them. Like donkeys, horses are good judges of character.
Oh Jon.. think about what you are doing. You are feeding someone’s horse. This horse probably has a set daily food intake and maybe the owner doesn’t allow apples in the diet. Suppose someone drove by your house and gave treats to your dogs. You would be first to announce and fret that some stranger were giving your pups an unknown treat. Enjoy this horse from a distance and refrain from feeding.
Oh, Kay, I can’t wait to do it again, perhaps even today…people stop by the fence with their children often to give the donkeys a carrot…we very much appreciate them and make them feel welcome..I don’t tell other people what to do Kay; it’s rude and obnoxious; I’ll thank you for not doing it to me..This is the country; we do this all the time.
Looking for a friend, and company, I’m sure. What a wonderful story.
I knew the comments about feeding someone else’s horse would occur. This old pony looks like he eats whatever falls off trees or grows in his pasture and lives a very natural life, so I doubt an apple would be harmful. It’s a special thing to form a connection with a horse, and the horse looks happy.
Thanks much, Catherine. She is absolutely right. Social media is a great gift to people who can’t mind their own business and know little or nothing about what they’re talking about. Where I live, we’ve been feeding apples to donkeys by the roadside for generations. I will certainly keep doing it to my new friend when I see him. I call these people Stink Bugs they are the pests of the Internet. Their laments have the whiff of rich people with show horses. A farm donkey who can’t eat an apple won’t last long up here.
I never tell other people what to do; I can’t imagine it. I’ll never bend to it.
And there is no doubt in my mind that he’s found that friend in you. I call that a win-win.
For me, for sure, thanks Ann..
Jon. what a magnificent horse. I wonder if he is a Morgan? A Justin Morgan horse. That wonderful book by Marguerite Henry or was it Wesley Dennis? He looks like a Morgan from Vermont. Am sure he appreciates and looks forward to the apples and friendship. Thank you for stopping and caring.
I love his ears! somehow he seems unique among equines with his facial expression. Nice friend to have.
I have horses and can say assuredly that horses choose their people. You are a selected member of his herd. Kudos Jon!
How lovely! He is a beautiful horse… those eyes… aren’t they all beautiful? I am glad you are sharing an apple with him. On my walk in northern CA the whole neighborhood brings carrots to the two donkeys along the rural road. The owner has now put up a sign with the donkeys names and their preferences. It is a joyous thing to partake in. Don’t let the people who don’t know what they are talking about change you. Every situation is different. A completely different experience In the city, where some of us offer treats to the dogs we meet (since we have treats in our pockets anyway and we ask permission). The responses from the owners is across the board — yes of course thankyou, no he’s on a special diet, is it an organic grain free treat, no he does not get treats. I respect where each person is coming from; I have been in all those places myself. Jon, thank you for living as an example of love, care and hope.
One summer years ago, I was doing fieldwork with other botanists at the Sevilleta National Wildlife area in central New Mexico. Each day when we were leaving for the lab, we stopped to open a gate, and there were two donkeys waiting for us. We would give the donkeys an apple each, and many pets before driving on. Now our students are doing the same. Our profs were doing the same before us. We always wondered what the donkeys thought about this strange box with people in it that stopped to dispense apples and pets.