Tuesday, April 1, 2008

True Grit

I was working on these pictures in Photoshop tonight while the 1969 John Wayne movie, "True Grit" was playing on my television. What a great movie that was. And suddenly, I realized that this post now had a title. I also realized that this little guy's halter was all askew!
This little foal sure was feeling his oats the other day when I took these photos. Not that he's eating oats yet. It's just what we say when they're kicking up their heels like this. And that's not all he was up to.
He was running all over the paddock, and trying to get others to follow in his footsteps. But nobody else could outrun him today. He could be a future Derby winner, don't you think?
I took these pictures on Sunday afternoon from the fencerail at the edge of our backyard. I hobbled all the way out there for the sake of my blog. No, really, it wasn't all that difficult. I was doing quite fine, really. Sunday was chilly with intermittent sunshine and was a perfect day for a foal to play.
Well, every day's a perfect day for a foal to play. They play in the rain, in the sun, in their sleep.
Nah, not really in their sleep. I'm just making sure you're still with me.

If I'm having a bad day, or feel down, and I see the foals running and cavorting like this, it always, without fail, puts a silly smile on my face. And you know what?
I am so blessed to be able to see this from my little couch, in my living room. This is my backyard. And even though we don't own this house, life is just fine.
And this little fella with his spunk and his grit is sure cheering me up. I also love using the word cavorting whenever I'm able to do so.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pic's. I love to see the new babies play every spring. It just makes surviving the old winter weather worthwhile to see live start all over. We did not breed our mares this past year and my hubby so misses having the babies . He is 75 now and it is hard on him to do all the chores that need doing , so we are cutting back on animals. Doris

gail said...

What beautiful horses. I love your photos. Makes me feel like I am there. Thanks for hobbling.

Anonymous said...

Oh. My. Gosh. I'm SO jealous of the view out your backyard. I would just take a bazillion pictures! That foal is just so...I don't even know the word. More than adorable. Fun. Frolicky. And cavorting is a great word, isn't it? We should all try to use it daily. At least once.

Leslie: said...

I should really get away from this computer and go cavort myself. Or at least walk down to the village to pick up some photos. Yours are FABULOUS!!! Glad you're at least hobbling now. Soon you'll be cavorting, too! ;D

Harbor Hon said...

Wow! What beautiful pictures. I was born under Sagitarrius ... half human/half horse and I feel their energy when they're running.
Thanks for the smiles. xxoo

Mental P Mama said...

Those pictures are wonderful! I wish I could pet those sweet babies.

brneyedgal967 said...

I believe you captured 'cavorting' perfectly with those pictures. The last one cracks me up. I just set it as my wallpaper - silly horses just make me smile.

Anonymous said...

My oldest daughter just asked me if she could have one of your foals. (never mind we live in a huge metro city and rent not own our home...) And then she asked if we could move near you. :) LOL

Beautiful, beautiful photos... That little foal is just spunky!

Kate, do you raise these horses for anything? Are ya'll breeders or participate in shows/sports?

Country Girl said...

Oh, I do love vocabulary. And, I too, was born under the sign of Sagitarius, which is why I think I tend to get leg/knee maladies because I am half horse, but here I go digressing again . . .

We live on a thoroughbred breeding farm. My husband works here. The stallions are housed here all year. The mares come here to be bred. They'll stay for awhile. Most mares arrive pregnant, give birth here and then are bred back. Some mares live locally, or are shipped here just to be bred. Their van waits in a line for their turn and then they leave. It's a well-oiled machine, so to speak. And the stallion barn is busy in the spring.

These youngsters are owned by other people. The farm may breed some of their own mares and then sell them eventually when they're 2-year-olds. Some of these foals will actually end up racing. Maybe one will win the Derby one day!

~ C.G.

Anonymous said...

So, SO cute. In a cavorting kind of way. Don't ya just love that kick-up-your-heels kind of energy?

Treasia Stepp said...

I would love to have your view. Seeing those pics of foals is so sweet and makes me remember ours all the more clearly. Watching them take their first steps all wobbly like deer is just too cute. Thanks for sharing these.

dlyn said...

There isn't much in this world that is cuter than a baby horse - I love watching them!

Val Cox said...

beautiful photos, I sure enjoyed browsing through! Val

Mary said...

Kate, When I saw that first picture, I thought for a second that the foal was actually jumping the fence!

The pictures are all wonderful, and you are so lucky to have all of that right in your backyard.

The last pic is my favorite -- sooo precious!
xoxo,
Mary

Anonymous said...

Oh geez, they are adorable. You are lucky to see them from the couch! So, so sweet.

Anonymous said...

Hey Mrs. Y, These pix are awesome!! They are adorable and you are so lucky they are in your backyard! Can I come over and "Steal" one while you're "not looking?" Haha. Just kidding. See you soon! :) -Madison G.

Russell said...

Loved the dancing colts! They are the very definition of frolicking!! Fun photos! Seeing these babies playing makes a person feel young.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Kate for the explanation! I remember as a kid, I was so into Thoroughbred racing (with a brief side obsession of harness racing). I knew every Kentucky Derby winner for the longest time.

Now it seems my daughter has the bug... she's obsessed over TBs too. Now I know how my parents must have felt with me talking only of horses for most of my childhood. LOL

Anonymous said...

Wonderful photographs! I love seeing them play!

I wish I could just look out of my window and have that view!

Donna Boucher said...

What amazing romping colts!!!

I love them!

Country Girl said...

Thanks, all. Madison, I'll see you in the upper school halls at school! Glad you liked the pics.

Welcome to Val Cox. And good to see you again, Treasia and Miz Booshay (Donna Boucher). For those of you who would like to see some gorgeous photographs, visit Donna's blog. She's also doing guest Photoshop posts for Ree over at the Pioneer Woman www.thepioneerwoman.com

~ C.G.

olivia said...

Oh my! That is just so sweet ... :) Nicely captured!

(Came over from PW ... :)

Anonymous said...

The top shot of the air born foal is extraordinary and equally hilarious! Reminds me of some of the "bucking bronc" art of Ed Mell. Our back fence borders our neighbor's horse pasture and we get the luxury of watching the foals and colts as they grow. They put on a good show this time of year!

Anonymous said...

Cavort....yes, really a wonderful word! Thank you for using it!

One of my favorites: Frolic; as in "my kitten is frolicking out in the tree line", which she does and she really is frolicking....jumping about, happy, playing, just being a little cat. Cavorting, as it were.
:-)
KT

Country Girl said...

Welcome to David Tinnon. So glad you were able to stop by.

~ C.G.

Egghead said...

Those little colts are adorable, especially when they are running and kicking. Made me smile today and remember.

Anonymous said...

First-time visitor here who has so enjoyed your beautiful photos of the horses, birds, flowers and George. Love them all! Thanks for answering Christine here about your husband's work and the farm. I searched all over the site trying to learn more about his work, how you happened to be there, who owned the horses and just happened to pick this comment section to open. What a Shangri-La of a place to live! Having grown up in Montana and Ireland with horses and nature, these pictures really make me happy. Look forward to seeing more.