Introducing the herd.
NEWSLETTER Volume 1, Number 1, August 2004womentalkhorses evolved from numerous conversations, the kind of conversations that I suspect many horsewomen are familiar with -conversations at the barn, sitting on the pasture fence, over dinner, over relaxing glasses of wine, and while horseback, riding down the trail. It also evolved from my reading of books like the Tao of Equus, Zen and Horses, She Flies Without Wings, Dark Horses, Black Beauties, and the beautifully illustrated Of Women and Horses. All of these books attempt to answer, at least in part, what it is that connects women and horses. I don't have the answer, but I do have a few ideas that come from my own experiences!
This site also evolved from my conversations with digital artist and horselover Lida Saskova. Lida doesn't own horses, but she is fascinated by them. She likes to visit her neighbors' horses, to photograph them, and to talk to them. Together we began to discuss what it is that draws women to horses, and how we could contribute to enhancing the relationship between women and their horses.
I grew up in Scotland and Northern England. Like many girls in Britain, the goal of owning my own horse was unachievable. Still, I sought out horses wherever and whenever I could ® patting a soft muzzle over a farmer's fence, taking riding lessons at a local stable, and eventually riding a friend's pony that had quickly become too small for her (but fortunately not me). Later, college, graduate school, career, and moving to another continent kept me away from horses for many years, but I never lost the emotional connection to horses that I felt as a child. Fifteen years ago I moved to Northern Idaho, and a few years ago my husband and I bought a small ranch on the edge of the Palouse country. Simultaneously, I began a journey of exploration into my own relationship with horses. Although Lida is a native of Prague, Czech Republic she spend most of her childhood on her grandparents' ranch in the Southern Bohemian forests where she came to love the smell and feel of their working horses. These times still hold a special place in her memories.
Six years ago, a friend generously gave me one of her older horses. Deep was an ex-racehorse, retired eventer, and general good guy! He patiently taught me many things about caring for my own horse, physically, mentally, and emotionally, how to ride on Idaho's beautiful but challenging trails, how herd dynamics work, and how to care for a horse as he ages. Deep died last year at 30 years of age, dignified to his last day. My herd has evolved and now consists of four horses. Legend, a 29 year old Arabian gelding who came to stay with us for a few weeks until I could find a suitable companion for Deep ® six years later he is still here, a wonderfully sweet and engaging horse who can still turn heads with his grace and beauty. Savannah, our boss mare, another beautiful Arabian, who at only 14 hands high has strength, stamina, and presence to burn. Shadow, a handsome black gelding of mysterious parentage, but unmistakable character and charm, is currently at "summer camp" at the home of a good friend, playing with her geldings, putting on some quality miles, and having way too much fun running with what our farrier calls "the big herd" (in reference to their sizes, not their numbers)! And Naiobi, a Morab filly I adopted from a local rescue organization this spring: Naiobi is a blank slate ("a sponge" one friend called her), but she is learning to trust and respect humans and gradually growing in confidence and experience. She will be going into training this fall, but for now her job is to eat grass, grow strong, and keep Legend company while Savannah is out riding the trails or at clinics. Each of them teaches me daily about being a horsewoman, mirrors back to me my own personal strengths and weaknesses, and fills our ranch with their beauty, sounds, and personalities.
So now, I can sit in my study and look out at my horses grazing in the pasture, a childhood dream I never thought could possibly turn into a reality. But I think of it less as the end of a journey and more as the beginning, because horses are great teachers. The more I learn about these wonderful creatures, about being a horsewoman, and about myself, the more I realize I don't know. But the journey towards more knowledge will be fun.
This web-site, then, is intended to be a part of those informal horseback and barnyard conversations about horses and our relationships with them. It is also intended to create an on-line community of horsewomen, and to provide information about products and services that will meet the needs of caring for and communicating with horses in a holistic manner.
Anna Banks
Moon Hill Ranch, Idaho
