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Saturday, April 5, 2014

For Fireblossom Friday at Real Toads

Photo above by Kay Davies, 2014. Photos below from Wikipedia.

I’m gonna sit right down and write myself a letter
and make believe it came from Shay,
who wants us all to write about a letter
but I have no idea how, today.

Tell us about your travels
Shay will say
and show us photos
of Icelandic scenes.
Tell us where you went
and how you did it
and if you’d like to
go back there again.

I fell in love in Iceland,
I will tell her,
in a very unexpected way:
I hugged a horse
who nuzzled up
and kissed me,
and all my fear of horses
went away.

Both elegant and rustic
and oh so very trusting
Icelandic horses see
us all as friends.
They want us to love them—
they’ll love us in return,
and carry us
through ice
and snow
and sleet.
Although they may
look shaggy in the winter,
in a riding ring
they’re oh so swift and fleet.

I didn’t even want to go to Iceland,
but my husband says
I always change my mind.
Animals will often help me change it
and this one is a very special kind.



Posted for Fireblossom Friday in the Imaginary Garden with Real Toads.

My husband is very busy right now, so I'm very glad Wikipedia had so many lovely photographs to illustrate its article on the wonderful Icelandic Horse.
I often tried horseback riding when I was younger, but the horses always felt my fear, and threw me. That was no fun at all, so I've always been wary of horses up close, while admiring them from afar.
We had neighbours who owned several Shetlands, and my younger sister was happy to ride, but I was nervous even feeding them an apple, because they could sense how I felt.
Other friends, who worked as cowboys, tried to teach me, but my emotional connection with their horses was always negative, on both sides.
Icelandic horses, however, which are larger than Shetlands but smaller than quarter horses, let me pet them and hug them until my fear was a thing of the past. And they are so doggone cute. Look at this one in its shaggy winter coat.



The five-gaited Icelandic Horse performs well in the ring, and amazes onlookers with its dexterity and its characteristic tolt gait.





8 comments:

Kerry O'Connor said...

Lovely story, Kay. Those horses do look very adorable.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Winners all round! YAM xx

Susie Clevenger said...

What a beautiful story...it appears your were enchanted by horses to love Iceland.

Susan said...

Wow Kay! You go on and write your travel letters to Shay, Kay. Brings it to life! Not to mention the pictures.

Anonymous said...

very sweet, Kay, and welcome home ~

Fireblossom said...

Ponies! How did you know I wanted you to write about them?

Margaret said...

They would steal my heart as well! Nicely penned,

Margaret said...

Pretty sure i left a comment earlier - but I do love a "short" horse - tall pony and these fellows do look quite grand!