Max ecstatic

A long morning at the yard which went on a little longer than it should have because sometimes, with horses, it's just like that.

I try on Wednesday to finish with enough of a window of time to do a little something with Max before I go off to the other job, but today it couldn't be done.

I'd brought him three little organic carrots for carrot stretches, and a tiny pear as his final treat. This would have been after he'd worked, but as there was no work, and therefore no reason to stretch (I don't like to ask him to stretch if he hasn't warmed up first) I decided to just put the offering in his feed bowl as a special Wednesday treat.

How delighted was Max? He heard them go in with a tumble and clunk, and came back to investigate, while I stood beside him. I love to watch him eat, and I love the sound of it, too. A funny thing, because listening to people eat loudly really does my head in, but listening to Max chomp and smack is a source of great delight.

Even better today. First he found the pear, lifted it out and chomped. I waited for the delirious expression pears put on his face, and there it was. Not just the expression though, because I was close beside him, so he leaned his head against mine while he chomped.

Then back in for a carrot, a bit of pear slobber still dripping, and again, leaned his head against mine and chomped, sighed and blinked with happiness. Same for the second carrot, and same for the third.

When he'd finished, checked to really make sure there was nothing left, he turned his head to me again, planted a soft "kiss" on my cheek and then turned back to the front of his box to get to work on his lunch time hay.

I left him with kind words, the promise of good things and more time tomorrow and a wonderful picture in my head of my happy horse, who greets his simple treasures in life with great gusto and thankfulness.

I will endeavour to follow his fine example of joy in the little things that make life BIG.