What an amazing day! First we finished drying out from the day before – gotta keep up on the laundry even when you’re on vacation. Then we went out to Dealey Plaza, where John F. Kennedy was assassinated. We saw the two x’s where they marked the first and second shot. We saw the grassy knoll, and the bridge behind it where I personally now believe the second shooter had to have stood. So yes, now I’m a conspiracy theorist. It’s not weird. …………………………………………………….. After that, we drove out to Grand Saline where we had the immense privilege of meeting Heather Perillo and her lovely herd of horses. Please realize - they were not looking for cookies. I've seen horses give you their attention until they realize you don't have anything to eat. These guys weren't like that. They were just enjoying the kids and the attention. Each one had so much personality. She warned us before we got in the pasture with them that they’d crowd around us and beg for attention – which they did, and we loved it. My kids loved on those babies of hers, and the babies loved on them, not being rowdy or mean, just letting us know they wanted our attention. We spent at least an hour just standing around hugging and petting the mares and foals, including one prima donna yearling gelding named Solo. When he got told he was being pushy he actually pouted. It was quite a spectacle to see. (Ps. He pouted, but didn’t even stomp a hoof in protest…now that’s teaching manners.) What a privilege to meet the great Darktanion, her purebred Friesian stallion, too. He was so kind and gentle, making sure he knew where the kids were and being careful with us. By this time, Tricia had already asked if we’d be able to ride any of the horses, and Heather was gracious enough to let us sit on Darktanion. He’s a splendid horse, with a very kind and gentle spirit, so with a helmet on, we all got to take a turn – as he allowed it. We held out a hand, and if he lipped at it then we were allowed up. He accepted all of us, and we got to take a turn around the pen. He practically tiptoed around when the younger kids were up on him, he was so careful to not let one of them fall off. Heather also showed us the tricks he was able to do, and it was really cool. His lovely yearling filly, Tesora, was a joy especially. What an incredible thing to know that a horse that really looks at you, has measured you and found you acceptable. I’ve been watching her on Facebook already, and will continue hopefully to follow her career. What a joy to see these large animals reach down to my little eight-year-old daughter and nudge her gently until she patted them. Especially Everest, the large grey Percheron mare. She was especially accommodating to the kids, but each one acted as if it were their duty to greet each child and be sure to be petted several times. Even in the midst of a herd, I wasn’t afraid that any of these horses would trample them. Why? Because Heather had taught the kids how to act, first, and second, because Heather has her horses’ hearts. I must say, Heather is an incredible educator. I was so appreciative that she took the time to answer all the kids’ questions, and to show me things I had been wondering about for a long time. She taught me some basic things about conformation, and what a sports horse really is, and so much more. She took particular care to really teach my kids how to interact properly with her horses, showing them, having them correct their mistakes and make them right, rather than getting too worried and rushing in to form a barrier. By the end, my bouncy, hyper ten-year-old was calmly rubbing their faces and getting lots of good attention from the horses, too. We will always remember our time at New Horizon’s Ranch, and I thank Heather and her dad for being so accommodating to us, and for being willing to spend so much quality time with us. So after that emotional roller coaster, we are now heading back over to a friend’s house…my husband’s good friend from school…as we missed seeing him on Saturday. Then we’ll all go collapse in our tent for one more night here, then on our way to Arkansas. Remember to follow us at #Gr8USrdTrp or #BigGiantPickle on Facebook and Instagram for more pics closer to real time.
1 Comment
Lois Mattson
8/23/2014 10:02:42 am
Enjoy looking at all your pics, love reading about your trip. You are such a good writer Sherry. Thanks for keeping us updated. Be safe out there.:-)
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Chamblee FamilyYes, all eight of us, in a Chevy Tahoe, driving across the country in an epic search for history, adventure, and a little bit more leg space in the back seat. Archives
October 2014
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