Ode to equine nose hair
You may have guessed by now how much I am motivated by my senses… 
My husband’s chambray shirt melting into the blue hills of the horizon as he canters off down a dirt track. Fascinating…
…that the little things that might pass others by, rivet me, stall my steps, divert my attention, soak up my time. Things like a ray of light on the bark of a tree, a butterfly alighting on a manure-covered denim-clad thigh, the angle of my child’s cheek as they silently pose a question.
My husband’s chambray shirt melting into the blue hills of the horizon as he canters off down a dirt track. Fascinating……
Eat?? ... this pony NEVER STOPS! He’s a machine!
It’s the frustrated artist in me – although I do not think of myself as an artist.
I’m far too practical for such a lovely, whimsical title.
I was brought up with Time and Motion as Gospel, and Daydreaming a Deadly Sin.
And, I always have been able to adhere reasonably to the former and resist the latter. But it’s a battle to keep the focus on the Practical sometimes.
…
One of the things which has always entralled me have been horses.
And luckily, horses and Time and Motion achievement have been twined nicely together here at Granite Glen since time immemorial. Mustering cattle on horseback and all. But my attachment to these creatures is really much greater than a strictly working relationship.
…
For those who have not had the chance to experience any kind of equine affection, it’s kind of a hard thing to explain.
It’s really something you need to feel… and soak in… and hear… and smell.
It can be gentle and serene,
or furious adrenaline-fuelled action.
But even if you never, ever climb in a saddle, horses can be the loveliest things.
Take Rob Roy, for instance.
Sure, he’s cute at first glance but let me tell you: this horse has got small man syndrome, big time. All red-headed Scottish temper and little bloke outlook.
He’s a foot or two shorter than his buddy, the fabulous Trooper, but no-one’s been game to tell Rob Roy! He’s what you might call a bit bombastic – especially if you ever dare to come between him and his feedtin. It ain’t pretty! He’s even been known to nip unsuspecting humans (around his height) who take him too lightly.
Eat?? ... this pony NEVER STOPS! He’s a machine!He may be the wrong side of 10 hands, but what he lacks in altitude he MORE than recovers in attitude.
…
And while none of these attributes is entirely endearing, he’s just, well… gorgeous!
I can never really put my finger on why we forgive him his naughty little mannerisms so easily…
then I watched him with TLW the other day, and it dawned on me…
it’s all to do with his HAIR.
His nose hairs, to be specific.
Yeah.
I know that sounds a bit, well, arty farty.
But you’ll see.
Look.
Under that little pale, trusting human hand…
The sweetest, softest, tiniest nuzzliest all-over-the-nose hairs in the world.
These nose hairs are among the many arty farty reasons my ironing remains unironed.
13 Comments
Debby
Facial hair (to include nosehairs): not nearly so entertaining to the post 50 group.
Not being critical. Just saying.
Jayne
Hmmm love rubbing those velvety noses. It’s a feeling that shrinks the world’s problems 😉
dykewife
art=daydreaming and wasting time?
no way! i know the work it takes to encourage the muse of inspiration, the struggle to make things look just the way it’s envisioned in the mind’s eye…
i don’t like shetland ponies. to me they’re mean spirited, fat, lazy, biting horrors. the only reason kids end up with them is that they’re short. i guess we each have our own pov on them.
the one thing they do have in common with their taller (and more sedate brethren) is that oh, so soft nose. i have to agree with you there. there are few things i’ve found inn my life as soft as the nose of a horse. the only competing soft things are babies’ feet and Bran’s unpierced earlobe.
jeanie
Ah – so I was being artistic this morning as I stared at myself in the bathroom mirror…
Pencil Writer
Love the butterfly one manure covered jeans. I think I saw a similar little flutterby at my house! Did you send it over?
And I have to agree–the velvety soft horse nose. How can anyone NOT like that!
And just a few moments ago I was looking at an especially gorgeous male horse. (I’m not adroit enough to know geldings from stallions. Guess I need more equine study . . .) but this horse was glistening. I’m not sure I’ve even ever seen a horse this color before. It was a color I don’t quite know how to describe–almost a mauvey tint/tan with darker–nearly black face and lower legs. It looked so healthy and well groomed I can’t begin to tell you! (You probably think I’m losing my mind–color descriptions are difficult if you don’t know proper terms–and I don’t.)
But this horse was on our “RFD” chanel with Aussie, Clinton Anderson. It was very interesting. But I kinda want that horse. Have no place to keep him, no funds to afford him or the upkeep, so I’ll just dream about him. He was sooooooooooooo beautiful.
And, BB, you just please keep on being as artsy and you want. We enjoy your mulit talents.
Oh, and about the ironing . . . My married daughter has a neat trick she taught me–I’ve been ironing her father’s shirts for nearly 40 years now. What she does is:
1. Take ’em out of the dryer asap and hang ’em up.
2. If they have wrinkles, mist/spray them with hot water–while their hanging on hangers.
3. The wrinkles hang out.
Try it. Let me know if it works as well in the Southern Hemisphere!
Bush Babe (of Granite Glen)
Deb… go introduce yourself to a horse. Seriously. It’s very therapeutic. Specially for empty-nesters. PW will tell you.
Jayne … velvet. Exactly!
DW… you’re right, you’re right, I know you’re right. But I always go for the difficult ones. Heh.
Jeanie… you silly thing! SOFT hairs, I said. Sheesh! (Kidding darling).
PW… thanks darling. And yes, Jeanie constantly advises me to “hang up immediately” but that would require me to actually pay attention to when the drier stops. And frankly, I’m usually off taking photos or chasing children away from stinky dogs…
But thanks for trying.
Hugs
BB
Pencil Writer
Hey! Don’t give up so easily! Even if you don’t manage to get them out and hang them up (Dear Jeanie is so worth talking to)right away, try to spray bottle on those wrinkly items–after putting them on hangers anyway. It really does wonders! And IF they’re the permanent press kind, pffft! It’s a shoe in, dear!
Portia
That last picture is so clear and the detail so sharp that I could almost feel the hair over in Michigan.
I’m still having a laugh over you saying you were going to go muck out the bedrooms. A pitch fork would definately come in handy.
Who cares about ironing? Take pictures, they last longer!
Do they sell Downy wrinkle release in Australia? It’s a wonderful product that you just spray on and rub your hands over the shirt and the wrinkle goes away. Magical stuff.
Portia
Bush Babe (of Granite Glen)
Portia – glad you got the nose velvet all the way there!! And really, you Americans think of EVERYTHING… something you wipe on to iron, instead of ironing. Amazing.
BB
Debby
I have a friend (my age) who responded “Ironing?! I don’t even own an iron.” I was amazed, and asked how she did that. When she buys clothes, she doesn’t by anything if it says it needs to be ironed. That’s some forward thinking there. However I already have a closet of crisp white shirts and linen dresses and blazers, and Tim’s slacks and dress shirts, etc. Too late for me, but perhaps you can save yourself, BB.
jeanie
Deb – you also have a friend my age who follows that policy!!
I only got rid of my iron last year when V brought a new one to the house – I had owned that iron since boarding school – and the only time if ever got used was if I was sewing.
Rhea
That pony is ADORABLE. Seriously adorable. Even the nose hair.
Anonymous
Oh man, Rob Roy needs to meet my Jedi. Wouldn’t that make a darling foal?
Remudamom