Snowride
☆ December 4, 2010
Yesterday I went for a ride in the snow. When I decided to ride, it wasn’t snowing but the sky held the potential. As I fetched Ranger from his pasture, the first flakes were gently drifting down around us. By the time I had him saddled, I had to brush a layer of snow off the seat of my saddle before I lept on.
We went out the back, into the vast BLM where all was silent, except for Ranger’s hooves swushing through the snow, and everything was still, except for the flakes swirling around us.
On dry terrain, the four gaits of a horse are: walk, trot, canter, gallop. In the snow, a magical fifth gait appears. It’s somewhere between a trot and a canter, but so much smoother than each; like swimming, like floating, but with a power that comes with being joined to the earth. To be astride this fifth gait, to be a part of it, is to be utterly and completely carried away by it.
Ranger was as happy to be out as I was, snorting steam, his shoulder muscles rippling evenly, easily, steadily. With a thick layer of beeswax balm on my lips, an angora hat, a wool sweater, jean jacket and silk scarf, wool socks, corduroy pants and tall boots, the weather was on my side. The weather kept everyone else inside. The falling snow kept everything quiet. The world was ours; a communion between Ranger and the sagebrush and every snowflake and me.
As we turned to head home, the trail curved and took us into the blowing snow, the flakes melting as they hit my flushed cheeks, and so I closed my eyes, and let Ranger fly.
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81 Responses to “Snowride”
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December 4th, 2010 @ 9:30 am
Sigh. I love the way you write. I felt that I was right there with you.
December 4th, 2010 @ 9:33 am
Dreamy.
December 4th, 2010 @ 9:36 am
This is an excellent descriptive narrative. Brings back some memories. I can see, hear and smell the scene all the way over here. Thanks for taking me along on the ride and making me smile. :)
December 4th, 2010 @ 9:42 am
Solitude, love it.
December 4th, 2010 @ 9:45 am
This brought tears to my eyes. Such a beautiful ride, thanks for sharing it so eloquently.
December 4th, 2010 @ 9:49 am
Beautiful. I love riding on snowy days although they happen only when I’m in Colorado at Christmas now it seem. Southern California doesn’t get that much snow :P but I used to ride my horse in the snow all the time <3
December 4th, 2010 @ 9:53 am
Sounds absolutely heavenly. I miss riding like you wouldn’t believe.
December 4th, 2010 @ 9:53 am
i love the way you write! wish i was there too! it sounds so peaceful, thanks for sharing.
December 4th, 2010 @ 10:00 am
Magical.
As usual, I’m crushin’ on Ranger and want to hug his beautiful neck and pat his strong and regal head. How he must have loved this outing.
Love the exquisite natural sepia tones.
December 4th, 2010 @ 10:11 am
Wish I was there….
December 4th, 2010 @ 10:25 am
Magical, just magical. That type of oneness with nature is a gift and thank you for sharing.
December 4th, 2010 @ 10:25 am
I hope there is another book coming. Like many folk here I feel you’re living my dream life. Obviously it’s not without its hardships but you have the important things in life in place – happiness, love, friends and family. It’s a delight to read your blog.
December 4th, 2010 @ 10:37 am
I wonder of the gait was like “Tolting” that the Icelandics do. I’ve heard it is a very smooth gait.
December 4th, 2010 @ 10:43 am
Amazing, what a great description! A wonderful, pleasant image to put in everyone’s head.
Snowing outside here, can’t wait to get romp around in the snow with my siblings~
December 4th, 2010 @ 10:44 am
This made me want to ride a horse through the snowy streets of Chicago this morning. I hope some day I get to experience this 5th gait!
December 4th, 2010 @ 11:01 am
Oh my goodness, I felt like I was on that ride with you. You are so lucky to be able to do this, thank you so much for sharing. I’ll add this to the list of adventures I want to try one day.
December 4th, 2010 @ 11:02 am
Thank you for sharing your -soar-
lovely.
December 4th, 2010 @ 11:08 am
I’m wondering if the ‘fifth-gait’ you speak of is anything like that of the ‘gaited-horses’, most notably, TN Walkers. I’ve recently had the pleasure of riding a pony that was trained to do this. The gait you describe sounds a lot like what I experienced, but without the snow — swift, exhilarating and sooo comfortable.
December 4th, 2010 @ 11:09 am
Great narrative. I ride Tennessee Walkers and we get that wonderful “rocking chair” gait quite often. They can turn it up a notch or two for a full gallop. Love riding in the cold weather, boys are wound up and ready to fly.
December 4th, 2010 @ 11:11 am
:sigh: Beautiful :-) Thanks for sharing the experience….
December 4th, 2010 @ 11:12 am
You are one lucky girl! I have just finished your book, The Daily Coyote and I have to say, I wanted to pack up my car and move out west! And, I am hooked on Charlie!
December 4th, 2010 @ 11:18 am
just absolutely beautiful.
December 4th, 2010 @ 11:22 am
Another great post. Thanks for sharing
December 4th, 2010 @ 11:25 am
I just don’t see any way it could get any better than this.
December 4th, 2010 @ 11:51 am
I love the way you write about your experiences like this. If I can’t BE in a place like that myself, then your writing is the next best thing. It’s between being there and living vicariously.
December 4th, 2010 @ 11:56 am
Ahhh I just love the few times it snows down here in the south (its probably not nearly as much as in Wyoming). I go out in the forest behind my house and everything is quiet and everything seems close together from the snow all over the trees… Magical.
December 4th, 2010 @ 12:56 pm
Just beautiful. I felt like I was there with you, hearing the quiet and the swish of Ranger’s hooves in the snow. You write so beautifully — I do hope another book is in your future!
December 4th, 2010 @ 1:01 pm
That is so beautiful. It brought tears to my eyes, remembering my own beautiful horses in the snow, once upon a time.
December 4th, 2010 @ 1:19 pm
Makes me feel like I was there. Thank you for the beautiful imagery.
December 4th, 2010 @ 1:47 pm
Is this (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:T%C3%B6lten.OGG) the gait you enjoyed? In that case, congratulations on Ranger finding his Icelandic roots. :D
December 4th, 2010 @ 2:04 pm
Delightful! For a moment there, you almost had me liking winter…
December 4th, 2010 @ 2:08 pm
Oh, forgot to add in reply to your quinoa post–have you tried quinoa flakes yet? Great hot cereal in the morning!
December 4th, 2010 @ 2:59 pm
I just took a snow ride this morning. Bliss. No tracks but ours and the dogs. I think part of the reason I enjoy winter so much is that not many other people do, so I have more of it all to myself. Have a great day!
Oh, and I know and love the gait of which you speak, it is magical indeed.
December 4th, 2010 @ 3:19 pm
It sounds like a fairy tale!! I’m sooooo jealous. As always, great pic.
December 4th, 2010 @ 3:59 pm
This gave me goosebumps. Someday I’d love to experience it firsthand!
December 4th, 2010 @ 4:18 pm
Beautiful!
I always love walking through this city in and just after a blizzard.
December 4th, 2010 @ 4:57 pm
Lovely.
December 4th, 2010 @ 6:06 pm
So great to hear this story. It’s a nice compliment to the ‘urban snowfall’ I’m currently experiencing in Chicago.
Last summer I spent a week in Iceland on a horse trip; the Icelandic horse also has a mysterious ‘5th gait’ between a trot and canter called the tðlt. It’s specific only to Iceland; and the Icelanders are very proud of their sturdy horses and uncommon gait.
December 4th, 2010 @ 6:14 pm
I despise being in snow; it is not my idea of fun. But you write so eloquently that I can enjoy it. Very well done.
Glad that both you and Ranger had such a good time.
December 4th, 2010 @ 6:22 pm
that is such a great feeling to know, that once you’ve turned the horse around into the direction of home, you can relax and just let him take you there.
haven’t had the opportunity to do that for a long time– thanks for the reminder of what a special experience it was.
December 4th, 2010 @ 6:30 pm
Ahhhhh. I dream of snow and the stillness of it all. Someday I’ll get to experience it.
December 4th, 2010 @ 6:54 pm
I’ve never commented here, but wow, this brought tears to my eyes. It’s amazing that the energy in a small blog post can connect with people so deeply. Keep writing.
December 4th, 2010 @ 7:32 pm
When I was about 8, living in Junction City, Kansas, I had been given an old plug called Maude (not Firebird, or Angel Wing, just Maude). I would take her out down the road and in order to get anykind of movement out of her I’d stop and pull a strange palmate-leaved plant growing by the side of the road (“hemp” they called it. Tee Hee) to smack her out of the sullen, slave-like walk she was giving me. This did not work. The only thing that did work was to turn her around. Heading for the barn she’d work up an almost-trot.
December 4th, 2010 @ 8:33 pm
Love you guys. Thanks for the ride.
December 4th, 2010 @ 8:49 pm
Oh Shreve,
Your writing reminds me of riding with a friend and her horse on Christmas day. Even the streets we would ride along to get to the trees and fields would be quiet and gave us the illusion of solitude. This was the absolute best gift on Christmas day. The only thing I would really look forward to before and savour afterward. Everything else paled in comparison. It’s been many years since I’ve even really thought it about it enough to imagine myself back there on the back of the black horse friend with brown hints around her muzzle that knew more about dressage than I ever learned. She would be inspired to some of her best slow-paced collected dances by the string of bells around her neck. So, we didn’t have the quiet as you describe, though the magic seems oh so similar to me. It’s been 30 years and your recounting has brought me back to it as if it wasn’t so long ago. Thank you for sharing so honestly. It brings the echo of a poignant reminder – of fulfilling my hearts desire and being with horses.
Now, I can renew a fresh dream to someday connect with new horse friends on the ground in a communion that’s initiated equally by both of us, which we would wish for by any new friend. We had the friendship, Silk’n Satin and I, but we didn’t have the bond and connection that you and Ranger do.
I’ll reach for this new dream in honor of her memory and that of the other equine friends that helped liberate me from the day-to-day challenges that seemed so big then, and appear even more daunting now.
I’m glad I was able to dedicate myself to looking after a barn full of equine comrades for a hiatus for half of a school year. They gave me so much more, it was the least I could do in return.
Such memories. And ancient hunt barn still with a tub and shower for the grooms that were no longer, and huge fields where Silkie would lead her group like a wild mare. It was a truly unique time that I was so blessed to have in my formative years.
Thank you so much for triggering the memories of one of the richest and most trying years of my life.
It’s been with me always and never have I truly forgotten the wildness that has lived with me all these years. That’s the gift of those long ago equine pals domesticated as we’ve all been in so many ways; no one was able to truly remove all of our wildness and an aliveness in all the elements.
Wistfully …
December 4th, 2010 @ 9:13 pm
You should do a calendar of the pictures from on your horses, they are beautiful.
December 4th, 2010 @ 9:36 pm
Tennessee Walker or Foxtrotter in Ranger’s heritage?!
I love how others here relate it to the Icelandic horse. They’re my soul mate personality-type in the horse world. With Icelandics though, the Tolt is a gait between the trot and the pace – rather than the trot and the canter. (What Shreve describes sounds like both of the Tennesee Walkers I’ve ridden, though it’s technical called a running walk). Some icelandic horses are four-gaited meaning walk, trot, tolt and canter and others are five-gaited meaning walk, trot, tolt pace and canter.
Then there are those that apparently only ever want to tolt or pace wherever they go I don’t know. I’ve only met them on the ground and watched them move. They’re my idea of a “dream date” as a horse.
An author named Christine Schwartz has written several books, most notably “Icelandic Friends” available through the the Icelandic Horse Farm in B.C., Canada. The founder and co-owner met Icelandics during the Great American Horse Race from May to September 1976 from New York to California. One notable Icelandic was the only horse on the ground every single day of the race. Apparently he was in a number of TV studios promoting the race as well swimming across a pond for his appearance on Polka Dot Door.
Of course there are plenty of other gaited horse breeds with exceptional temperaments as well as a notably smooth ride. Not to mention all the noteworthy regular or 3-gaited horse companions.
From what this site says,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_gait
all of the gaited horses are a variation on the Amble, which is described as being between the walk and the canter, and also as a 4-beat gait, like the walk. Smoother than either the trot or the pace. Interesting that Icelandic Horses with tight backs will lean more toward pace. A slow version of this is called a piggy pace, and is probably uncomfortable to ride unlike the 4-beat Tolt or 2-beat Racing Pace.
The above site is fun showing the beats of the different gaits – there are even animated ones on some Icelandic horse webpages.
I wonder why so often the gallop isn’t considered one of the gaits, or often considered the only important one like with thoroughbred race horses ….
December 4th, 2010 @ 10:05 pm
And who says there isn’t magic in our world?
Beautiful post
December 5th, 2010 @ 7:06 am
Ah Shreve
As you were writing, my mind was there with you. You are a true artist, in your words, and pictures. To be able to just saddle a horse and go out in any direction, when you wish, is a dream come true. I felt like I was right there with you and Ranger, every step of the way. Thank you.
Am so happy that Charlie likes candy canes. Maybe much in the same way that horses like sugar. Good breath freshener as well. I would bet he likes ice cream too.
God Bless you and the Farmily Shreve.
December 5th, 2010 @ 8:30 am
Sounds divine. The way snow muffles all the sounds of the world is magical. It can even happen in the city where it’s nearly impossible to find peace and real quiet.
The place in the Catskills where I go on weekends has a non-stop very noisy creek, but if you walk up the mountain just a short bit, that sound drops away and there is COMPLETE silence. But no swishing Ranger sounds. I will never hear that. Oh well, I hear it through your words. Really, I do. Many thanks and many hugs.
December 5th, 2010 @ 8:56 am
I am reading a book “The Journey” it is about the Source, I think you found it……..
December 5th, 2010 @ 10:15 am
::sigh:: I hear you :) I love riding in the snow too!
@ Deb: it’s always been a marvel to me that in the English-speaking world there is the canter and the gallop. In France, our horses walk, trot and canter. Gallop is just a fast canter and the actual word we use is “galop”.
December 5th, 2010 @ 10:42 am
D & D ~ I actually learned the technical differentiation between the canter & gallop via my photography studies, of all places (a la Muybridge) ~ during a canter, there is always one hoof on the ground, whereas during a gallop, there is a moment in each stride where all four hooves are off the ground….
December 5th, 2010 @ 11:46 am
it’s cold here in NH…just flurries so far…waiting on our first good snow of the season!!!! just like Milaka posted first here ” love the way you write and yep I felt like I was right there with ya too! ” :)
December 5th, 2010 @ 12:11 pm
I read your post again.. slowly, this time, and the magic, whimsy and love that comes through is utterly wonderful.
December 5th, 2010 @ 4:20 pm
Those are amazing moments S. A few years ago I was in Taos, New Mexico riding horses with a Native American guide who took us trail riding up into the hills. We would stop and he would show us how they would make fishing snares from the horse hair and other survival and comforting things found in nature. On the way back he urged us to run in the snow with the horses, they do so love to run in the snow and indeed it is like floating the way they do that.
The sky was crystal clear and with a blanket of fresh snow it would puff into the air like magic sparkling clouds. There were dogs from the village running alongside and you could just feel the joy inside of them as well when they would run. The way the horses would breath it in you can tell that it so must be the essence of their being.
You really did capture and remind me of the incredible and amazing moments found with horses in the snow. I think you will find that people will really respond to this. It really captures the season and the feeling that when you are in your element out in nature there are moments that you will never ever forget there.
You really nailed it with your post and I think its really going to blow some people’s minds how it will affect them. Thanks for these amazing moments.
December 5th, 2010 @ 8:28 pm
Snowfall has alot of melody, even in it’s silence, I love that hum over everything.
I also loved your tweet; “Charlie loves candycanes”. Three Fridays till Christmas!
December 5th, 2010 @ 10:08 pm
You know what the best feeling is?
That infinitesimal split-second when your outside leg is behind the girth and you’re applying the lightest pressure, and you feel your horse’s hindquarters gather and bunch powerfully under you with that tense energy all horses have (often buried under fat and a life of child-wearing!), ready to rock supply into that soothing, soaring stride of the canter.
That split second, that tiny moment, always sends a thrill of adrenaline through my whole being. My fingers curl and my heart flies – that launch-off can make my day.
December 5th, 2010 @ 11:01 pm
Such beautiful writing! I used to ride horses in all kinds of weather. I love snow so much :)
December 6th, 2010 @ 12:07 am
I’ve had a few snowy rides in my time on a ranch in NE Colorado. But not 5th gait ever appeared on any of the horses I rode. You, or Ranger, or the pair of you seem to have something special
December 6th, 2010 @ 1:04 am
This indeed is beautiful; thank you for sharing your moment.
(Perhaps) ironically, I’ve experienced this feeling (or a similar feeling? or a feeling that reminded me of this feeling?) while riding through city streets after sundown in the rain on my bike. Yes, cities are a different bouquet of flowers (as you said) than the vast country you describe. But the streets are often still at night and in the rain. And there is something about floating through the wet sparkling lights, past structures made by hands of people, that also gives me a connection with humanity.
December 6th, 2010 @ 6:22 am
Very lovely. I was transported as I read.
December 6th, 2010 @ 9:14 am
I miss horses in winter. It was one of the few times I truly enjoyed the cold weather. Being on horseback, it’s not so cold. And the silence. The soft breath, the occasional snort. . . the way the sound bounces across the snow, yet sounds so muffled. . it’s like there’s no one else in the world except you and your horse.
Truly, truly magical. Thank you for reminding me.
December 6th, 2010 @ 11:48 am
@daria, I know what you mean. I finally outfitted my bike to ride in the snow (with studded tyres for ice) and it’s terrific. So quiet and still, like walking in a snowstorm but smoother and faster than walking.
December 6th, 2010 @ 12:19 pm
Max :) How splendid that feeling just before flight… it’s my favorite!
December 6th, 2010 @ 12:34 pm
Like other comments….felt like I was right there! Thank you!
December 6th, 2010 @ 1:11 pm
I second Donna’s suggestion for a calendar of photos from your horses! …not to heap more suggestions or work upon you, however. :)
From one who lives in southern CA, reading this entry was as magical as Ranger’s fifth gait – the outside traffic noise seemed to fade away, and I was transported to the quiet stillness of snow and cold and breath. Thank you.
December 6th, 2010 @ 2:29 pm
What a wonderful way to spend the day. it sounded magical.
December 6th, 2010 @ 9:59 pm
You live magic, and speak of it so evocatively!
December 6th, 2010 @ 10:10 pm
*sigh* beautiful
December 7th, 2010 @ 2:06 pm
And so a new dream is born for me – to ride in the snow as you have so very eloquently described. For a long, long time, I thought riding on the beach would be the pinnacle – I’ve done that now, perhaps not with the ideal company. I can only echo everyone else – thank you for taking me on your ride and leaving me the memory to read and re-experience it again and again.
December 7th, 2010 @ 5:34 pm
Hi there,
I stumbled on your blog a few weeks ago and this is why I continue to read it. I love this story.
December 7th, 2010 @ 9:05 pm
I was riding in the snow this week, too, more than a thousand miles east of you. View’s quite a bit different, but the pleasure of it is much the same. Lovely story.
December 7th, 2010 @ 10:12 pm
I haven’t ridden out in the snow in a LONG time. Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever managed to do it with my moose; he’s big enough that he requires a specific kind of snow or he sinks. XD I decided this year that I would make at least two good snow rides happen.
The “snow tolt” is my favorite. So is the sixth gait: the “deer bound.” =) But, oh, there’s nothing in the world like that final gallop home…
December 8th, 2010 @ 3:56 pm
Shreve all I can say is I LOVE YOU! You are such an amazing person. You are like a breath of fresh air in the world today. LOVE LOVE LOVE reading your posts.
December 8th, 2010 @ 5:09 pm
Shreve, here is something that is not about horses and snow, but is about coyotes in Chicago. Check it out!
http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2010/12/08/131876027/60-wild-coyotes-patrol-chicago-and-occasionally-stop-at-convenience-stores?sc=emaf
December 9th, 2010 @ 7:35 pm
Sigh. Jealous. Shamed, actually. I have not been out for a ride in the snow yet. And now I have to wait for more snow, since all’s we got now is MUD.
December 10th, 2010 @ 2:02 am
Thanks. That truly took me away to an early memory. Good times.
December 10th, 2010 @ 9:22 am
Barbara, thanks so much for the Chicago coyotes link! Great story!
December 12th, 2010 @ 9:06 am
Barbara, thanks so much for the Coyote story on NPR (link above). I just love NPR. Besides covering every kind of news, it’s my go-to place when I want the straight scoop on any issue.
December 29th, 2010 @ 10:19 pm
That was beautiful thank you! I’m so glad I found this blog. The last paragraph/sentence was sincerely fantabulous.