fotoNovella: Shanna & Kissy.

I have a horse. I ride horses. I give riding lessons. I am a 4-H Horse leader. But I’m not a ‘horse person’. I’m not an eats-breathes-sleeps-in-the-barn-with-my-horse person. I’m not a measures-my-horse’s-feed-on-a-scale person. I’m not a warms-up-mush-to-hand-feed-my-horse-on-cold-winter-mornings person. Nope, & here’s the clincher: I’m not a my-horse’s-ears-must-prick-forward-in-pictures person. That, my friends, is why they kicked me out of the ‘horse-person’ club.

I admit I am proud when I accomplish a perfect-ears-pricked shot (see below!).  Though, I honestly shouldn’t have any pride left after the show I put on to get the horse’s attention: clicks & clucks & plastic bag waving & rattling & cooing & waving & stomping, standing on my head & shaking my hips (horse’s love that one!) If anyone saw me from a distance they would likely call an asylum. Crazy girl! Well, I am still crazy & I might still take on the challenge of an occasional pricked-ears shot, but I’ve realized that pricked-ears don’t tell the story of a horse & human. Pricked-ears don’t tell the story of me & Tiara. Pricked-ears don’t tell the story of Shanna & Kissy.

Rather, the story of Shanna & Kissy is in moments when Kissy’s ear turns to listen to Shanna’s voice, when Kissy’s muzzle grabs for a treat, when Shanna rests her cheek on Kissy’s neck. Those are the moments that tell the story of Shanna & Kissy’s relationship. & so…I crop in. I crop in on muzzles & forelocks & forelock kisses: & if that means I’m not a ‘horse person’- so be it!

& I leave you with Kissy living-up to her name…