Mara Moments – Helen's Healing Equine Therapy
Horse therapy connection and trail riding with Mara B
Fun to have Peter home so he could visit Mara B today!
Peter, Mara and I experienced many out of the ordinary Barn activities this afternoon. Thanksgiving weekend hunters were heard and visible off in the surrounding fields which had the horses curious and on alert.
Then Eve and Dave were covering their horse trailer which got Mara’s attention.
Peter captured creative photos for us too, some of which appear in today’s post.
Mara and I love when Peter visits.
Mara is on the last days of the antibiotics and she likes to raise her head in a little protest when she sees what’s up, so I’ve been standing on this stool to put the syringe in her mouth, we have worked out an easy groove and she received her dose twice today.
Folly is another mare of Jennifer’s and we all met up and rode together in the outdoor arena this morning. Mara B and I trot circles, drills and serpentines which is a fun change for us.
Mara and I then rode down the road and loved seeing the ditches filled with Queen Anne’s Lace, a lovely summer sight.
A simple delight of nature.
I had an early morning connection time with Mara B today, she was covered in sand and dirt after a heavy rain last night. I enjoyed cleaning her up and dusting her off. 
We were low key because today would have been Benjamin’s 29th Birthday and we wanted to simply remember Benjamin reflect and rest today. (Here’s a photo of Benjamin with a horse I leased.)
So rest and reminisce is what we did today.
peace
Mara was delighted to start munching on this big bale that was waiting to be placed in her paddock feeder while I closed the gate this afternoon. We had some fun with Barn pals in the indoor arena before heading out on a walk around the neighborhood. Then we did stop at these mailboxes to look for any notification about the arrival of spring. Hopefully spring weather will find us next week!
Warm temps and sunshine made for pleasant conditions to ride around the neighborhood this afternoon. Mara B and I came upon Gavin who was also out enjoying the day so we stopped, said hello and had a good conversation. Gavin liked meeting Mara B and we liked meeting Gavin, the warmer weather is bringing people back outside again, which feels wonderful.
Mara and her paddock pals had frozen manes and tails this morning after yesterday’s freezing rain. So Mara B was delighted to come into the Barn with me for food, grooming and connection time and I was pleased to get back in the saddle. A cold icy day with warm bonding time for us.
Mara was extremely sore today, in fact she did not want to move. So Brian her farrier came into her paddock to treat the abscess. Brian tested the hoof, felt for heat and identified the site of the pocket of purulent material (much like a whitehead pimple.) He then trimmed hoof and created a small opening to relieve the pressure. Mara will continue to have her hoof wrapped with a medicated poultice pad. I’ll change the dressing in two days and Brian will return to recheck her on Friday. I gave Mara B more Bute and got her over to the water tank before saying goodbye. We are on the road to recovery.
Mara Moments posts show how a daily connection with my horse provides me with a creative healing activity while also promoting equine therapy. In addition I have been trying to give voice to Suicide Awareness and Prevention by sharing my healing journey as a suicide survivor. I find it important to be a part of a broader discussion of depression, mental health, isolation and trauma. Today is International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day 2017. The loss of life and the toll on suicide survivors in incalculable. Starting with this awareness and gentle reminder of the dangers of untreated mental illness, let’s please contribute in our own way to help reduce suicides. Thank you.
Mara B is my wonderful therapy horse and I am very grateful for her. Today she was true therapy.
Mara B met me at the gate this morning, that’s always a nice way to start our time together. Half of our ride time was in the back where we saw the operation for making stall bedding from corn husks. (Very cool I think.) We also walked the cut cornfield. Barn pal Brutus then joined us for our inside ride time and made my day. Brutus had never done that before, and I thought it was pretty sweet.
A late afternoon ride in the corn field provided perfect golden light to capture today’s Mara Moments. Luckily Jay was with us and hiked along to be our photographer. Fun to now have these fields available to ride in once again. Mara was as warm as the golden light.
