As we move (hopefully) past the Applegate struggle, I felt a strong need to go and see my horse friend. Battles like that make me uneasy; I feel a little dirty.
I wanted to look into this horse’s eyes again, bring him an apple again and cleanse myself of an uplifting and disheartening conflict. It feels cleansing.
The one idea that kept going through my head – was actually two ideas. First, there are too many rich people in our cities and too many poor people in the country.
They seem to have no idea how the other lives.
I have yet to meet a farmer or poor person who has expensive special diets for horses (or cows, for that matter.)
Ordinary people can no longer afford to live in many of our cities, and rural people can barely afford to live in the country. It’s out of balance. The other idea is that ludicrous but increasingly intense squabbles like this one explain Trumpism and the movement he spawned.
Rich people see the world differently than ordinary or poor people.
I’m beginning to understand why Marjorie Taylor-Greene is the new face of the Republican Party. You have to be very angry to vote for someone like that. Her district is very rural and very poor.
I see a lot of Trump flags still flying here. I keep reading that he’s over.
Nobody likes being patronized or demeaned. I don’t, and my neighbors don’t.
I was feeling better but still weak this morning. I got up, showered and dressed, and went out to get Maria some soup and to see my horse friend. Applegate has brought us even closer.
I’ve learned a lot about myself.
I knew it would pick me up.
I pulled over to the side of the road by the pasture gate and crossed to the fence line.
My horse pal was about 200 feet away from me. He turned and stared at me, and I showed him the apple I had brought. Up behind him, the farmer waved at me from the barn. We know one another now.
He says people who bring apples to his horse are his favorite people. When he can, he returns the favor by bringing children lollipops and tootsie rolls. He had a big crowd this Halloween.
The horse stared at me for a bit, then trotted down to get his apple. I held it flat out in my hand, and I could see that he knew how to eat an apple offered by a human.
He was gentle and careful not to bite me accidentally.
I hoped to get close enough to get a photo of his eyes, but he wouldn’t turn his head into the light, and I didn’t want to push it.
We have time. I’m learning to be patient. I’ve been through many conflicts online since starting the blog. This one stung a bit and stirred me up.
I was right; I did feel better, and almost instantly. Can a horse do that?
I felt my energy surging back, and I felt good about getting to know this horse.
We’ve had a horse or two on the farm, as you know, but they were mostly Maria’s creatures, not mine as much. My focus has always been on dogs, then donkeys.
The very idea of being friends with a horse is surprising to me.
The good news is that he isn’t going anywhere, says the farmer, and neither am I.
I’m going to have to pick up some more apples. This friendship is just beginning.
glad you are feeling better, and yes……I believe ANY connection, whether horse, human or otherwise…..can do that! And that IS a beautiful horse indeed.
Susan M
Thanks Susan, I like this new relationship.
I agree Susan!!
Well, Jon, now you’re making assumptions that you keep saying everyone else is. I am a third generation farmers daughter….I live on the family farm and have never lived in the city. I own one of those horses with a “special diet”. I’m not rich, but I’ll do without some things so the horse can receive the proper care.
Not trying to be argumentative, but I’ seeing you pushing hard for YOUR side of the issue, which is entirely your right. But I hope you’ll also consider the OTHER side. It’s not important that you choose to feed the apple to the horse, but that you seem to think anyone who feels otherwise is being stupid, or entitled, or whatever. That’s not always the case. I’m not speaking for or against the “right to feed a horse an apple”. I speaking for “is it always a good idea to give a strange horse an apple?” I hope you see the difference. And I hope people will just think for a moment before they feed an apple to a strange horse…..”is this a good thing for the horse”. Just saying….
Not sure what you are saying, Jan, but thanks for expressing it in a civil way. Of course, I argue my side, whose side am I supposed to argue? People who disagree are to give their side, and like you, they do. I think they call that free spech.
Beautiful, Jon.
Yes, a horse can do that. ❤️
Jon>>>>what the hell does Trump have to do with your friendship with this hors!!! Just askin’….
If you don’t know Sally, I can’t help you. Trump’s genius is understanding the grievances of rural people…Can it be possible you don’t know that?
You should write a nice little song titled “Applegate”. You can play it on your Uke.
Then maybe a children’s book titled “Applegate: How to feed an apple to a horse in the country”.
The kids around her love to feed apples to horses and to our donkeys..
Uplifting!! And the horse is framed so wonderfully against the snow.
Thanks for sharing this saga!!
Thanks, Pamela… more to come
I’m looking forward to seeing more of these photos. There’s something so iconic about this horse. You just don’t see that many of them in a rural setting anymore, at least not where I live. The contrast of his dark silhouette against the white snow is striking. He’s a beauty. I’m glad you found a new friend.
Barbara, that’s a good point, there aren’t many horses on farms and in rural areas anymore. Farmers can’t afford to have animals that don’t work, so having horses is increasingly something that wealthier people do. No farmer I know would ever object to someone giving his or her horse an apple by the fence. Very few can sustain horses with special food needs.
What a perfect visit with a new friend and with the farmer’s blessing no less. That should silence the critics!
Nothing will silence the critics, Connie, I’m used to that. But it feels very good having a new friend who is a gentle horse with deep eyes.
All conflict seems to irritate you. Encouraging the feeding of other people’s animals to those who look to you for inspiration is a good way to get someone hurt, either by an animal, or by a less-cooperative animal owner with a shotgun full of rock salt.
Actually Wendy (I know you think you know me) most conflict doesn’t irritate me at all. I get the most irritated when people like you tell me what I am like and what I am thinking but have no idea and are too lazy to find out. Conflict is healthy, and as is obvious, I enjoy it when it is serious and thoughtful.
You have absolutely no idea what I am like. And how could you? You’ve never seen me or spoken with me. The thing I don’t get is why you pretend you do.
I was a city kid but had horses from age 11. Before having my own horse, one of my favourite things as a kid was to have my dad drive us into the country to look for horses to feed. I would bring a big bag of cut-up carrots and I loved to stand by the fence and feed the horses. A sweet memory many decades later….
Nice message Daryl, lucky you didn’t have social media then…:)
Such a beautiful creature! I love seeing your photos of him. So glad you took him an apple today, and that his farmer owner appreciates you for doing it. I would so love to give him an apple, so hope you’ll give him one for me sometime. I loved the pictures of his eyes too. How much more wonderful that you can actually look into his eyes! What a beautiful friendship. Thanks for sharing him with us.
Thanks Charlotte, I will give him an apple slice for you…
Jon, I was told that big animals have big energy, and by their nature are quite intuitive since they can’t talk and ask us questions to suss out our intent. I am glad you found a way to settle your feelings, and the horse was glad for a little snack. Win win!
Thanks Karla, we do seem to have a connection, we look at each other quite peacefully, and he always comes down to see me.. I’ve lived with large animals for two decades now, I enjoy them very much.
Good idea to slice apple into like four pieces to avoide choke. A piece scould get stuck. Othetwise a nice thing to do.
Thanks, Donna, I cut the apple into quarters and put them on my palm one at a time…I’ve had horses on the farm and been giving them and other apples for many years.
Two of our horses like apples. The other does not. They are all pretty and love attention. Here in the mountains of Arizona, their winter fur is already starting to shed. Enjoy your horse friend.
Jon,
Kindness to any of God’s creatures is NEVER wrong, the horse, the person who has a problem with you, or some for yourself. Continue your adventure.
Horses have huge hearts (physically and more) and when you connect with one it’s very healing. They’re all individuals so not every person connects with every horse and that makes it more powerful when one connects with you.