Amy L. Wink, Ph.D.

amywink November 16th, 2009

Yesterday I fell even more deeply in love with my horse. For our fifth anniversary, we headed over to Agarita Ranch for our second outing and Will was perfect. Absolutely Perfect. It was astounding and glorious.

The extremely foggy morning eventually cleared by 10:30 and we had partly cloudy skies and mid-seventies for temps. The fog did provide a lovely scene before we departed. As the horses walked out of the pastures for their breakfast, each materialized slowly from dark shape to individual body: Windy, Popeye, and Miss B, moseying up for breakfast. Will was no where to be seen. As the herd got closer, we called and called, and then we heard Will coming. Head up, tail out, he galloped out of the fog, passing everyone else to race to his feeding pen. It was a scene for a movie and the perfect start to our day together.

We arrived at Agarita Ranch about 11 and unloaded. Will walked off the trailer like an old pro. He looked around, relaxed and quiet. He quietly stood tied to the trailer while we harnessed, walked quietly to his carriage for hitching, stood quietly while we waited for Windy and Lisa to hook, and walked off calmly off for the start of our drive. 180 degrees from our last outing. He stood so well, Mary was able to take several photos before we started and get on and sit down without Will moving at all. He didn’t even raise his head when Mary climbed on. This was the first time, he’d remained stock still for everything. As Mary said, all our work together had paid off.

As I intended, we started our work in the dressage arena, where we tried out some of the exercises I’d copied from Heike Bean’s book. Since Agarita’s dressage arena is full sized (40×80), we had more room to move correctly. I wanted to try the figure 8 recommended for Losgelassenheit since I had not executed it correctly when we worked the previous day, turning too tightly in the corners. This time, we did the figure correctly and Will did much better (of course) because I didn’t get it wrong–my apologies, Will. We also tried the exercise recommended for Anlehnung, driving down the center line with 20 meter half circle turns, and that went very smoothly as well. Will maintained excellent rhythm (Takt) the entire time, working steadily at the trot. For our biggest challenge, I tried a three loop serpentine across the arena at the trot and Will responded admirably.

Our biggest challenge remains the full circle, which I attempted again. I seem to do fine on half the circle, but lose it somewhere on the other half–more practice is the only solution. I also think I may need to try the circle earlier in our work, before my hands get too tired for the correct commands and contact necessary for that maneuver. Practice, Practice, Practice.

All of that was quite a workout for both Will and I so we left the arena and headed out for a nice cooling walk on the trails. Will headed out willingly, never batted an eye, barely looked around, and never called to Windy. In fact, he wanted to be “in front” and walked too swiftly to be in second place! We walked through the mesquite thicket–with an eye open for the flock of turkeys we’d seen on arriving: Thankfully, they did not appear. I was not exactly sure Will remain composed if we came upon these very large birds along the trail.

Instead, it was a lovely, lovely stroll through the brush and trees. Will behaved perfectly and only sent out a call to his buddy Ben when we got in sight of the barn. It was a perfect drive.

Here are a few shots of Will standing. He was so good, Mary was able to get on an off the carriage many times without any trouble at all. So, we have any photos of Good Will Standing at Agarita Ranch.

• creativity , nature , Carriage Driving , Morgan horses , Dressage
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amywink November 1st, 2009

There’s a certain Slant of light,
Winter Afternoons –
That oppresses, like the Heft
Of Cathedral Tunes –

Emily Dickinson’s lines came to me yesterday. Though she writes of winter afternoons, the certain slant of our Texas light pierced the entire day as we left October to move into November, though still in autumn. The weather is lovely and clear, and the sun seems poised always south, angled rays casting long shadows, even at midday. The tall grasses catch the light and their seed heads spark like frost.

It’s a beautiful kind of light, making the horses glint and glimmer on one side, and dark silhouette on the other. But it’s a hard light to move toward, like a stiff wind, a blinking-sharp and uncompromising glare. So I thought of Emily Dickinson’s winter afternoons yesterday, while driving Will in the early morning.

We had a somewhat chilly drive since our morning started out in the mid-40’s, but the day warmed to 70+ and the sun stayed to the south. I watched Will’s shadow along the road, to check his headset and frame. . . and because it was beautiful.

I’d wished for a camera to catch the image there. There’s a difficult challenge to a photographer who drives–both hands are completely occupied!–but at least as a writer, I can put my brain to work in other ways and try to capture that moving shadow with words.

• creativity , nature , Carriage Driving
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amywink October 3rd, 2009

So, I planned to get down to see Will this morning but as I checked the radar around 8:30, rain was heading toward us and it hasn’t stopped all day. We’ve had almost an inch of slow, steady rain. I know we need it but I’d like to drive soon!

So anyway. Plan B: Put together the dash assembly.

It’s not quite finished because I have to paint some bolt heads (carefully because I am not undoing this!) and place the rein rail on (after it’s completely on the cart). I also need to attach the swingletree straps. I wrapped the swingletree with the same marine vinyl I used on the seats and I’m pleased. For the straps, I’m going to use some material from a set of synthetic reins I don’t use. The stabilizer bar will attach to the crossbar in the front–you can see the bolt holes in front.

As I stapled the vinyl to the swingletree, it dawned on me that I probably needed to do the shaft trim before I get the cart entirely put together–otherwise, I’ll be flipping the cart to staple the vinyl on, or stapling upside down!!

During all this assembly, I keep thinking of my favorite episode of M*A*S*H, when Hawkeye and Trapper have to defuse a bomb while Henry Blake yells the instructions to them from a safe distance. After he shouts the instructions to cut one of the fuse wires, and the pair does, he shouts out the all important “but first. . . . ” Hopefully, I won’t come to some part of this cart and think “but first….” after something is completely finished!

But, I am pleased with getting this section put together. The next large section to put together is the floor!

• creativity , Carriage Driving , cart building
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