Spring is in the air in New York today. Junior and Charlotte, the pair of Red-tailed hawks who live across the street from my office window, were just observed soaring high above, slowly circling in a synchronized dance, gradually spiraling down to land in their nesting area high up the building at 888 Seventh Avenue. Usually I don’t see them until mid-afternoon. Although I am becoming more used to their presence, each episode still inspires awe – they enchant me with their regal bearing and their ability to glide effortlessly, often seeming to almost stop their motion – that is when they cast their spell and time stands still.
This past weekend we fell under a different spell. I met my very first stallion, an Andalusian aptly named “Brujo.” His name is translated variously as wizard, magician, sorcerer – he is a fairy tale horse like no other I have personally encountered. His owner, and the owner of the beautiful facility where the Centered Riding clinic was held, is Sue Holtz of Woodbine Equestrian Center. She kindly let us tag along with her and introduced us to Brujo, who was holding court out in his spacious paddock field. She patiently explained some of the aspects of stallion behavior as we gaped at him -- incredulous, smitten. While she emphasized that the “biting” movements of his mouth and lips are typical of stallions, part of their need for stimulation and contact and do not necessarily indicate ill will, she also made sure that we understood that Brujo does bite and that she must not allow him to even catch hold of a piece of her jacket – the next time he could bite her arm and crush the bones.
Helene and I were sufficiently impressed with the above information and kept our distance. We observed him from afar as he pranced back and forth, keeping an eye on his empire and all activity taking place within it. Sue told us that Brujo, as the stallion on the farm, feels a great responsibility – he feels in charge of all the other horses – geldings and mares and ponies alike, and with each visitor to the property he re-asserted his dominance with another flashy pass across the field, head tossing, glorious mane flowing, his complete awareness very apparent.
Later in the afternoon when Helene received permission to feed him an apple, I asked Annelie to come along, partially to keep an eye on us. Brujo was a perfect gentleman, taking the slices from our flat palms, even allowing us to pet him and fawn over him briefly – until the apple was gone, that is. Then he was off, back to the serious business of keeping track of all and everything.
When the clinic was officially over, we lingered, chatting with new friends, Helene spoiling horses, dogs and chickens with treats and affection. I followed Sue out to the paddock and watched as she put a halter on Brujo and, dressage crop at the ready, led him purposefully to his stall in the barn. I also watched, fascinated, as she groomed and tacked him up – noticing her focus and vigilance throughout the process. We were then rewarded with the thrill of seeing her ride him in the outdoor ring. Here was masterful riding we could only dream of, the power and beauty of their movement heart-stopping, the intensity of their relationship mesmerizing. Magic was in the air as we left, reluctantly heading back to the City – the enchanted ones left behind barely noticed our departure.
Above are some photos documenting our ensorcellment.***
***en·sor·cell ( n-sôr s l); en·sor cell·ment n.: To enchant; bewitch.
[French ensorceler, from Old French ensorcerer, ensorceler : en-, intensive pref.; see en-+ sorcier, sorcerer.]
This past weekend we fell under a different spell. I met my very first stallion, an Andalusian aptly named “Brujo.” His name is translated variously as wizard, magician, sorcerer – he is a fairy tale horse like no other I have personally encountered. His owner, and the owner of the beautiful facility where the Centered Riding clinic was held, is Sue Holtz of Woodbine Equestrian Center. She kindly let us tag along with her and introduced us to Brujo, who was holding court out in his spacious paddock field. She patiently explained some of the aspects of stallion behavior as we gaped at him -- incredulous, smitten. While she emphasized that the “biting” movements of his mouth and lips are typical of stallions, part of their need for stimulation and contact and do not necessarily indicate ill will, she also made sure that we understood that Brujo does bite and that she must not allow him to even catch hold of a piece of her jacket – the next time he could bite her arm and crush the bones.
Helene and I were sufficiently impressed with the above information and kept our distance. We observed him from afar as he pranced back and forth, keeping an eye on his empire and all activity taking place within it. Sue told us that Brujo, as the stallion on the farm, feels a great responsibility – he feels in charge of all the other horses – geldings and mares and ponies alike, and with each visitor to the property he re-asserted his dominance with another flashy pass across the field, head tossing, glorious mane flowing, his complete awareness very apparent.
Later in the afternoon when Helene received permission to feed him an apple, I asked Annelie to come along, partially to keep an eye on us. Brujo was a perfect gentleman, taking the slices from our flat palms, even allowing us to pet him and fawn over him briefly – until the apple was gone, that is. Then he was off, back to the serious business of keeping track of all and everything.
When the clinic was officially over, we lingered, chatting with new friends, Helene spoiling horses, dogs and chickens with treats and affection. I followed Sue out to the paddock and watched as she put a halter on Brujo and, dressage crop at the ready, led him purposefully to his stall in the barn. I also watched, fascinated, as she groomed and tacked him up – noticing her focus and vigilance throughout the process. We were then rewarded with the thrill of seeing her ride him in the outdoor ring. Here was masterful riding we could only dream of, the power and beauty of their movement heart-stopping, the intensity of their relationship mesmerizing. Magic was in the air as we left, reluctantly heading back to the City – the enchanted ones left behind barely noticed our departure.
Above are some photos documenting our ensorcellment.***
***en·sor·cell ( n-sôr s l); en·sor cell·ment n.: To enchant; bewitch.
[French ensorceler, from Old French ensorcerer, ensorceler : en-, intensive pref.; see en-+ sorcier, sorcerer.]
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