Wednesday, April 15, 2009

To me, this is what Spring means

And now, for your viewing pleasure, this is Springtime in Maryland’s horse country. Foaling begins in late Winter and by the time early Spring rolls around, the babies are big enough to be outside all the time, enjoying the weather and each other.

DSC_0264 copy 2

These photos were taken last April, one evening after dinner, in the paddock off our backyard at Northview Stallion Station in Chesapeake City, Maryland.

There, I’ve said it. That’s where we used to live and work for ten years.

 

I loved living there.

 

I was looking through my old photo files and came across these few pictures. I ran Pioneer Woman’s soft & faded action In Photoshop CS2 on each of them.

 

 

DSC_0285 copy 2

For years, we lived with this view from our backyard, and all the while we lived there, we knew how lucky we were. Friends always enjoyed coming over in the Spring when they could see the horses.

DSC_0340 copy 2DSC_0335 copy 2

My husband began working with horses in his very early twenties, and we lived on so many different and beautiful horse farms in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland. I do miss seeing horses, and hearing them outside my windows. A horse’s sounds are very comforting to me.

DSC_0352 copy 2

Especially the snorts that happen when you accidentally eat onion grass for the first time. Ewww!

Hope you enjoyed sharing some memories with me. Have a beautiful day, all.

Until tomorrow, then my friends . . .

34 comments:

Shawn said...

Aww...I love horses but haven't really been around them much. So maybe I don't love 'em, maybe I just think I love 'em. Nah, I'm sure I love 'em.

Thanks for the pictures!

tj said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
tj said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
tj said...

...Good Morning Kate, I can't imagine what it must've been like to wake up in that setting everyday - it had to be close to heaven... You both are so fortunate to have had that and is it possible that in the future that you could have at least some part in the horse community? Or even own one of your own?

...I know what you're saying tho', I love horses too. I want a horse so bad and in these parts they're giving 'em away due to the economy. As a matter of fact, people are dumping them off in our state parks around here. A friend of a friend who owns two horses had them out in the pasture only to wake up the next day and they had six horses in their pasture! Some one came by and "dumped off" their four horses in this person's pasture... Can you imagine? Surprise! It's so sad but I could just imagine the person's face when they went out to feed their horses in the morning... :o)

...I figure in my next life I'll have a horse. No actually, knowing my luck I'll come back as a horse! lol... *sigh* :o)

...That last photo Kate is priceless! We have a poster in our barn of a colt with a similar face and it says, "Aww, horth thit!"...lol...

...Have a great day! Wishing you lots o' smiles, laughter and hugs & blessin's too :o)

Hilary said...

Ah, you brought back memories....I had horses from age 9 up into my 30's, then life intervened.
They are beautiful. I love the sounds, and the smells.
Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Sissy got the horse lover's gene in our family. They're pretty to look at for me, but I'm a dog person through and through... Nice job with the special effects/actions!

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Mental P Mama said...

I can smell their beautiful warm smell all the way here;) I am wishing you a wonderful day, and a great adventure;)

BB said...

Divine photos... what lense?? Whatever it is, I want three. Plus your eye for a shot.
:-)
BB

Caution/Lisa said...

That last picture is one I could understand. Finally, I have found a way to bond with a horse!

Treasia Stepp said...

That is one view that would never grow old. Beautiful.

Ellen said...

What a beautiful sight to wake up to each morning. I can understand why you miss it so much.

Such beautiful creatures. I love the foal in the last photo - such a beautiful color and I love the white tip on the tail.

imom said...

Beautiful photos!

I am definitely sharing this post with my daughter, she loves horses, but hasn't been around any in a very long time. There will be much oooing and ahhhhing!

Maria said...

These are so beautiful and the last one cracked me up. I have a new baby on my road, but haven't gotten any great shots like this of him. He was cutting up when I drove past this morning, so adorable. How wonderful the memories you have of all those years, I would love to have been witness to that each spring, so close and personal. I dreamed of possibly breeding, but adopting rescues will always be my thing, when I'm able, so there will be no new babies for me. I'll just enjoy your photo's and words, thanks for posting them.

Country Girl said...

Good morning, all. No, we can't own a horse but thanks for suggesting it! I think it's sad that people are dropping off their horses as if they were an unwanted litter of kittens or something, tj!
Nah, I'm not sad. But this weather here is really something this week. It's been doing nothing but raining!

~ C.G.

Char said...

these are just gorgeous - the horse is such a majestic animal.

Hilary said...

Your photos of horses are always the best. You capture the heart and personality of these wonderful critters.

Anonymous said...

I have always loved your horse pictures and these are no exception. I bet you do miss living by horses!

Alicia @ boylerpf said...

While growing up, we couldn't have horses for various reasons so after getting married, I got into horses in a big way. I agree, there is nothing like the snorts, sights and sounds of being near them...especially in spring when the new foals are outside "horsein' around". Loved the pics.

Daryl said...

Those are lovely memories ... now you must make more good memories .. this trip, adventure you are off on this week will provide many I am sure. xo

The Weaver of Grass said...

All baby animals are lovely but horses especially so - their legs look just too long and frail for their bodies.

Jill of All Trades said...

Ohhh, love babies.

Cindy said...

Beautiful photos.

Unknown said...

Hello Country Girl,

Just visiting via Olivia at Parvum Opus and I have enjoyed it, thank you. Your urban dictionary entry was fun! And your photography is beautiful.

Country Girl said...

Thank you, Derrick. Welcome. Glad you stopped by.

~ C.G.

Tess Kincaid said...

Awwwww!!!

Pony Girl said...

Those are really beautiful, especially with that action that you used on them!
Are they Thoroughbred race horses that your husband worked with?

Rosezilla (Tracie Walker) said...

Oh, wow, HORSES! Love the pics, esp. the last one.

Unknown said...

That must have been so fun! I love foals. We have friends that own a horse farm here and I love to go there and look at their foals at this time of the year.

Sandy@American Way Farm said...

I just love the tongue on that foal! What a hoot! -Sandy

SuzieQ said...

I have always loved horses. Growing up my dad had a giant work horse, looked like a Clydesdale and just as big, that I rode for hours and hours through the fields and woods. So big that I could get several friends on with me. He was so gentle with me. I still think about him..

Woman in a Window said...

HA! Tongue lolling about. Hey, onions aren't so bad. Just don't kiss after.

Ten years. That's a good bunch of years full of memories.

noble pig said...

I love how their manes sprout out as foals.

susie said...

I know just what you're talking about. We didn't have any baby horses this year and I really miss them. Great shots!

Astaryth said...

I so miss having baby horses in the Spring. Like you I equate babies with warmer weather LOL! Currently I only have older horses here, but my original training was in farm management & breeding. I miss the cute little faces, and the sweet little whinnies. :(