Pasture Talk

Tisdale - October 13, 1999
By: Timothy W. Shire

It has been some time since we last talked. I first met this pair last winter and then in early summer they explained to me the ultimate importance of grass. Tuesday, as I drove by their pasture, the scene looked so pleasant that I had to stop and see how they were doing. The road was well above the pasture and I had to climb down through some low bushes to reach the fence. As usual, they were polite and acknowledged my presence and turned to watch as I worked my way through the rose bushes and other scrubs. When I got to the fence, I greeted them and asked them if they wanted to talk. With out hesitation they looked at one another, nodded and strolled over to me,came to a halt, as you can see in the picture below right, then she stepped right up to the fence for direct contact and a more face to face greeting.

I asked them how they were and both nodded that things were as could be expected and once again informed me that I was not to expect to much conversation from them directly, that they preferred to listen and in most cases their gestures would tell me far more anyway. By nuzzling the ground I could see that they had definitely been doing all right and both looked the picture of health. Each in turn, tour off some of the tree leaves by me and munched on them as we chatted.

It was clear that they are a serious pair and that they have problems with human sense of humour. In fact, they did not laugh at my jokes, but turned disdainfully away when I made one of my wonderfully witty comments. No, these are genuine beings, they cut to the essentials and are able to convey their sensible emotions without the use of words.

She brought her face up to mine and enjoyed the physical contact as I rubbed her forehead and scratched under her chin. It was clear she enjoyed the sound of my voice just as much as I enjoyed her trusting and accepting gesture of her coming so close to me. I think we are friends and I know for certain I am a better person for having been able to share those few minutes with her by the fence.

Neither of them were startled by the electronic squeaks of my camera as I recorded their images and I could see and feel that they are happy, contented and enjoying the fall. They might even be looking forward to winter a bit. Both seem to enjoy the challenge of brisk temperatures and the crunch of snow.

Though I really wanted to explain to them the military coup in Pakistan and the ramifications that might have for people and horses everywhere, neither seemed the least bit interested in world events. Oh, they were polite and listened, but I could tell their heart wasn't in such discussions.

When I told them it was time for me to go, they both nodded and began to amble away as I started back up the embankment, then both stopped and posed for me to get another picture to share with you and appreciate the quality of my visit with them.

Based on the friendliness and individual warmth I am certain that I will be back to talk to these two many times in the future and will try to share those conversations with you.


Tisdale - October 13, 1999 By: Timothy W. Shire
It has been some time since we last talked. I first met this pair last winter and then in early summer they explained to me the ultimate importance of grass. Tuesday, as I drove by their pasture, the scene looked so pleasant that I had to stop and see how they were doing. The road was well above the pasture and I had to climb down through some low bushes to reach the fence. As usual, they were polite and acknowledged my presence and turned to watch as I worked my way through the rose bushes and other scrubs. When I got to the fence, I greeted them and asked them if they wanted to talk. With out hesitation they looked at one another, nodded and strolled over to me,came to a halt, as you can see in the picture below right, then she stepped right up to the fence for direct contact and a more face to face greeting.

I asked them how they were and both nodded that things were as could be expected and once again informed me that I was not to expect to much conversation from them directly, that they preferred to listen and in most cases their gestures would tell me far more anyway. By nuzzling the ground I could see that they had definitely been doing all right and both looked the picture of health. Each in turn, tour off some of the tree leaves by me and munched on them as we chatted.

It was clear that they are a serious pair and that they have problems with human sense of humour. In fact, they did not laugh at my jokes, but turned disdainfully away when I made one of my wonderfully witty comments. No, these are genuine beings, they cut to the essentials and are able to convey their sensible emotions without the use of words. She brought her face up to mine and enjoyed the physical contact as I rubbed her forehead and scratched under her chin. It was clear she enjoyed the sound of my voice just as much as I enjoyed her trusting and accepting gesture of her coming so close to me. I think we are friends and I know for certain I am a better person for having been able to share those few minutes with her by the fence. Neither of them were startled by the electronic squeaks of my camera as I recorded their images and I could see and feel that they are happy, contented and enjoying the fall. They might even be looking forward to winter a bit. Both seem to enjoy the challenge of brisk temperatures and the crunch of snow. Though I really wanted to explain to them the military coup in Pakistan and the ramifications that might have for people and horses everywhere, neither seemed the least bit interested in world events. Oh, they were polite and listened, but I could tell their heart wasn't in such discussions. When I told them it was time for me to go, they both nodded and began to amble away as I started back up the embankment, then both stopped and posed for me to get another picture to share with you and appreciate the quality of my visit with them.

Based on the friendliness and individual warmth I am certain that I will be back to talk to these two many times in the future and will try to share those conversations with you.