Okay, I probably should have remembered to smile as I took this selfie with Nana, but it was really hard to hold my camera still and get both of us in the frame.
Last week was my first venture out to my friends horse farm in a few years. I loved seeing the horses I remembered and a couple of new ones. The pony fold had also grown from 5 to 6. It felt refreshing to leave the city for a few hours. I spent my time brushing the ponies and getting reacquainted. My favorites were Athena, the dark, brown-haired girl with a beard and Wilma, the donkey. Both females have always displayed nervousness and anxiety so I was careful to respect their feelings and would back off if they showed signs of wanting to leave the stall. I'd let them calm down and dictate to me how much they wanted to be groomed and handled. I understood them and gave them more attention than the playful and confident male ponies.
I'd forgotten how calming it was being around animals. It's an external focus for this inward, autistic mind. Each pony has a personality and if I stood and watched quietly from a corner, the hierarchy was evident. Lol, boys are bullies, outgoing and playgul, nipping at my coat. I loved the feel of their coats and manes, each one was different. As I groomed, I talked to them in a soothing, reaffirming voice. It may have been awhile since the ponies were handled and thoroughly groomed. I think they are the "little guys" on the farm and the horses end up with more attention and hands on care.
I decided that I should drive out there, once a week or so, and spend time grooming and talking to them. It makes me feel good inside. I can never get enough of that.
