During the summer of 2003, our first on the farm, we bought a pair of five year old geldings, named Patriot and Chico. The timing was good, as the summer's growth of grass in our spacious pastures was quickly overwhelming my ability to keep them mowed. I was spending 5 or 6 hours a week mowing our pastures, so I was happy to get some hungry horses to help eat the grass.

Our tovero paint horse Chico

As the summer continued on, I learned that of all the animals on our farm, I really liked the horses the best. Perhaps its because we are skilled horseback riders, and these magnificent equine athletes eagerly carry us over great distances at high speeds with grace and poise.

Kim and her horse patriot

Their big soft eyes and inquiring noses welcome us every time we go to their pasture, or visit them in their stall. Maybe their formidable size, weighing in at 1000 pounds each makes them seem bigger than life to me. Or, it could be the sheer amount of work and money it takes to care for our equine friends that encourages me to seek meaningful signs of reward in their daily care. Whatever the reason, my dawn and evening walk to the horse pasture to check on my equine friends is a pleasurable routine.

As winter approached, our love for horses and capacity to keep them afforded us the opportunity to adopt three mares, recently retired from the Cornell University polo team.

As newer horses are brought into the polo team, horses that have given their best and are no longer as sharp as they once were are placed into good retirement homes. Although these horses are 20 years old, and are no longer up to the fast pace of indoor varsity play, there is a good chance they will be perfect for us to play them at slower paced outdoor polo in the summertime.

Our polo horses

The decision was not hard, as we felt that we had been led to this point for a reason, and we saw in our hearts that we could give these three mares a good home. So, we brought them home, and our little gang of horses became a family of five.

In January, the dead of winter, we learned why these horses were given to us.

Kim training her horse Patriot in the round pen

Winter is the season where the horses need the most care and feed, and have no natural sources of food to munch on continuously. We feed our five horses three 50 pound bales of hay, and 20 pounds of grain daily. On cold days, of which there have been many, we bring out beet pulp soaked in hot water to give them something warm, and to add variety to their feed. By the time this winter ends, we'll have fed out some 15 tons of hay, and well over a ton in grain. Yikes!

I like to tell people that the work on our farm is a labor of love. I have learned this winter that the horses take by far the most work of all our farm animals. If it weren't for them, I’d probably have slept past 7am once or twice in the last few months. But truly, this wholesome work lends meaning to our lives, adds purpose to our mornings, and gives satisfaction and fulfillment in our time of rest.

During the spring, summer and fall, our days frequently begin with dawn rides through the woods, riding on our own farm, trotting through neighbors farms, exploring trails in the woods, traversing gorges, and galloping up hills.

Chris riding Chico

One human, one horse, silently communicating through body contact, reassuring each other that all is well, and that our perfect combination of human skill and equine athleticism will lead us home safely. Riding this way gives me sense of peace, a brief moment of perfect harmony where all is right in our world. No matter what the cost, however hard the work, I wouldn't trade our life with our horses for anything.

I thank our Creator every day for the opportunity to give our equine friends a chance at a whole and healthy life.