Sunday January 15 2012
Rhett's one of the best rides, but he's a flighty horse. A bit suspicious. Always on guard. You don't just slap a saddle on his back, and you don't make sudden movements around him. You don't hug him and you certainly don't give him a kiss, and when he gets to snorting, watch out.
A loud and long SNOOORRRTTT! means you've done something that's put him on guard. Or he's spied something unsavory. Or there's just something in the air.
If he SNORT!s loud and short with every breath, you know it's probably just not a good day to ride anybody.
Like today, when the cold wind blew down from the mountains, and mysterious clouds of white dust whirled across the draw, and horse tails blew sideways, and something spooky was maybe up the canyon, and Rhett infected the whole Owyhee herd with his presentiments.
[slide show here]
we need better words for the sounds horses make. you did a great job describing them so i knew which was which, but why don't we just have specific words for these sounds? hrrm..
ReplyDeleteThis is a great description of horse sounds. We love the sounds our horses make. But what really gets us barking and acting nuts is when Monnie and Joe start hee hawying.
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, I know the "snort" all too well. It's a sure sign it's not the best idea to ride, or sometimes even handle if it can be avoided.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, I love the pictures. Very dramatic portrayal of a herd in action. Then again, your wide open spaces certainly allow for the action.
Yes, those deep, raspy snorts reveal so much about a horse's feelings at the moment. It's interesting how other horses are set on edge by it, too.
ReplyDeleteWe all know that horses are honest, but I wonder if horses act spooky and excited sometimes and use that sound as a game to get the others horses running and playing with them? Or if one of the horses is feeling cold and wants everyone to get warmed up by a few rounds in the pasture?
Great photos as always.
~Lisa
Wonderful pictures! :))
ReplyDelete