Rely and Remedy: how to read mule

Rely and Remedy

One week after Remy's arrival, Rely and Remedy (Remy) were turned out together for the first time. I watched closely to see what would happen. Rely was uncharacteristically cautious as he followed this new creature around in his domain. I'd say Rely was extremely anxious to make the right first impression. This is interesting since usually Rely approaches other horses with bluster and bravado. He puffs himself up and utters bellows that suggest he is a power to be reckoned with. But, with Remy he said almost nothing for almost two hours. He followed the new kid at a discreet distance. When Remy would stop to graze, Rely would stop nearby and put his head down to eat, but he would sidle closer carefully monitoring Remy's reaction. He pretended ignore Remy, but in reality he was fascinated with reading every nuance of Remy's tail swishes, long ear positions, and other relevant body language. No contact happened between them for a long time. Here are some images that show the first hour in sequence. I'm wondering if the longer ears give greater emphasis to whatever ear gestures mean. Remy snorted a lot, too. He sounded a bit disgusted.

The black and white image is a little odd, I know, but it seemed to me to sort of show how much of a presence Rely's behavior suggested Remy manifested. Sort of like he wasn't all there! Trying to imagine what Rely was thinking, I'm wondering if he wasn't realizing that this little creature will be his only option for a companion for a while and he better make the most of it!

Spared an Ordeal

SPARED AN ORDEAL. We ought to realize that God spares us OFTEN from worse troubles than we need endure. Scripture says we should let the day’s trouble be sufficient for the day. Some days are more troublesome than others. But, even the hardest are tempered by Him so that we can bear up through them. Sometimes we are called to go through things that seem pointless. Frequently. Because He does keep me from such troubles at times, I know that when He doesn’t take me around them, but has me go through them, that trail is by His leading and His purpose. Thus assured He is determining what I should suffer and what I need not, I rejoice when I realize He has spared me from something unnecessary. Sometimes such reprieves are from perilous tumbles; other times it is from sheer tedium or frustration. An example of the latter follows.

Last week I went into our tackroom to get alfalfa pellets to take to the cows who were in our ‘big field’ (I hoped). I knew they might not actually BE in that field because they had found a low enough place in the end fence (pushed down by our resident does) to get over into the ‘bottom’. So, I expected they were somewhere in that 15 acres (10 of which is not visible) and I planned to just stand at the top of the big field and call them. It was of course, extremely hot and I was hoping they would come quickly when I called. But, when I came out of the tackroom with the bucket in my hand, up walked the cows! I was stunned by the exact timing. If I had come out 10 seconds sooner and gone over to the field (which is across our deep, brambly, poison-ivy infested, wooded arroyo), the cows would have been back at the house; (they had gone through the fence and come up the backside of our property). I would have been searching through 15 acres, with no view through trees, behind the pond berm in the heat. I’d have hunted and hollered, and when I didn’t find them and I would have feared they had gotten over into the neighbors’ fields or gone out on the highway. It would have been a time consuming, steamy, worrisome trip and at the end of it, I’d have found the cows right where I’d begun. Then, I would still have had to get them back where they belonged. Whew! . I doubt this little entry conveys my relief and gratitude, but the LORD spared me much hassle by timing ’when the cows came home’. The cows, because of His ‘steering’ were led to safe pasture instead of wandering into danger. While I was saved from working my way into heat-stroke. Countless times I’ve seen how He smooths our path even though it leads us through treacherous terrain ; this was just the most recent. (Lynn Margason, June 2011)

Rely put to

A guest takes the lines.

His son, too, gets a chance to drive.

Rely steppin' out.

Hangers-on rotated like a chinese fire drill.

Rely gets criticized rather often for his strong-willed nature; but, it is the contrast between his usual behavior and the compliance he shows in this activity that is so illustrative.

You've heard the expressions 'put out to pasture' and 'put to a vote', but have you heard, "he was first put to at the age of two"? Not, 'put out' or 'put upon', but 'put to?'

I love the expression, we 'put Rely to the carriage'. That means to hitch up to drive. I still remember how off-putting putting to was to us in the beginning. We had a fully trained horse, a carriage and a harness, but we were clueless about how to merge them so that we could drive. We went to a 'hands on' clinic at Tom O-Carroll's Good Hands Training Center and were given the basics. That was about six years ago. We've not forgotten anything he taught us! But, one thing he told us was "you need to practice!" We have been lax about that instruction. We said we would do it; we intended to do it, but we rarely actually get to it! It would get easier for us to 'put to' if we did it more often, but the intervals are so great that each time it is like a quiz.

There are plenty of folks that can 'put their horse to' all by themselves. Alone. I've done it twice, I think, and it is NOT easy for me! So, I have to wait until my Hub is willing to assist. It is such a special day when he agrees. Not only does he help hitch, he also takes photos! I LOVE seeing the expressions on folks' faces! I can't see them while I'm focused on driving. So, I rush to the computer when we finish to download the photos he's taken and savor them long afterward.

Anyway, for weeks, we've had lovely weekend weather (especially for this time of the year) and I've been chomping at the bit to drive. Each weekend we keep riding instead. But, this past Saturday, I was bound and determined to drive and we did!

I really love driving. It is quite different from riding. It is sort of gliding over the ground: skimming along. It feels elegant. I love looking down on the horse with his neck bent to the task. The harness is fascinating to look at with the muscles working under it.

And one thing I like most about driving is that you can include others! Although it is possible to take a small child up on horseback with you (riding double), with a four wheel carriage, we can 'cart' around four to five folks at once. Rely actually pulls more than his weight! We don't make him go up hill and down with it. Just around and around on level ground.

He steps right out and treds the breeze, nimbly threading through the trees! Analytical person that I am, I ponder why this is so exhilerating to my soul. I think the primary reason is that Rely has been PUT TO a true purpose! He is fulfilling his potential. He is serving those who his master asks him to convey and he is doing it with comprehension, willingness, obedience and grace. Only those that know him well can understand how out-of-character this is for him. He transcends himself when harnessed and pulling in accordance with the steering and voice of his driver.

Footnote: a certain sweetie who shall remain nameless (unless she asks to be identified) took some of the photos on Saturday for us. She'll likely know which are hers! She did a great job!

Snow Day!

So much of the country is experiencing blizzard snows. All we received is about 1 inch of snow, but because this is such a rare event here; we made much ado about it!

Other creatures were leaving traces they'd been out in it.

Both of our cats ventured out and found it not unpleasant.

Grace (who is five this March) had never seen this before!

And of course, neither had Fuddrucker.

Mount Manure looked lovely with a snow blanket.Our fields were white.

Our cows were glad to see us.

None of our pipes broke, but we're going to have a BIG water bill!

Your turn honey.

Canine snow angels.

The road was slick, but we did not have to drive on it!

Footprints in the snow are gone quickly; but this photo proves we were there!