Blueberry in pond 2

Like many across the country this week, we're seeing unseasonably (soon to become normal?) warm temperatures here in New Hampshire. One of our sighted horses, Blueberry, has taken to enjoying the pond as a way to cool off. We've had Blueberry for a decade now — I think we introduced her in our very first newsletter way back when as a "staff member," whose job was to be the seeing eye horse leading our (then) few blind horses around. Pretty soon we had enough blind horses that we began pairing them off, and Blueberry preferred not being a nanny anyway. Now over 30 years old, she's retired from doing anything except whatever she wants to do … which on hot days means going for a swim in the pond. (No, she's not going to drown or get into trouble — don't worry! And that pond is in full view of the house just above.)

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17 responses to “Cooling Off”

  1. Ev Avatar
    Ev

    What a lovely and serene picture. Thank you for sharing that.

    Like

  2. Moon Rani Avatar
    Moon Rani

    Lucky Blueberry, having a cool pool all to herself! She makes a beautiful picture, too.

    Like

  3. Shirley * James/Portland, OR Avatar

    Well…it looks like sometime you can lead a horse to water and they do know what to do!!!

    Like

  4. Roxie Avatar
    Roxie

    Looks like the perfect horse spa to me!
    BTW, Steve, do you put out a kiddie pool with a couple inches of water for the dogs to stand in when it’s this hot? We’ve had dogs that love to just stand in shallow water to they cool themselves through their footpads (and through panting, of course).

    Like

  5. Ann Avatar
    Ann

    Those of us on the east coast are certainly sweltering, that’s for sure! Looks like Blueberry sure has the right idea for cooling off on a hot summer day 🙂

    Like

  6. Carla Polastro-Nigro Avatar

    What a lucky gal! And what a lovely picture…
    Thank you, Steve, for sharing these “glad moments” with all of us.:-)

    Like

  7. Janet in Cambridge Avatar
    Janet in Cambridge

    Smart girl, Blueberry.

    Like

  8. Jessica, NL Avatar
    Jessica, NL

    What a lovely sight! We have scottish cattle nearby in a “natural” pasture, with a pond and yesssss…. they cool off like this too – it looks so nice that I’d join them if they weren’t so big 😉

    Like

  9. Anne in FL Avatar
    Anne in FL

    You can almost hear her say “Ohhh, ohhh, chilly, chilly, ahhh, that feels so goooood, mmmm!!” And to whoever thought to name a horse Blueberry…very cute!! At 30 she deserves some aquatherapy on a hot day. Wish I were there to go in with her.

    Like

  10. Claudia Folt Avatar
    Claudia Folt

    I love this picture, and the thought of Blueberry cooling off i the pond! Thank you for sharing this with all of us.

    Like

  11. Kathleen Rivard Avatar
    Kathleen Rivard

    I would have gladly gone swimming with Blueberry, but would she have been happy about me?? I wished I had had (no I didn’t stutter) a pond in my back yard these past several days. The NE is not supposed to be this hot. For this type of heat, I’d have stayed in San Antonio! Blueberry is one smart and lucky gal! 🙂 🙂

    Like

  12. Margaret Avatar
    Margaret

    Another great reason to smile. Great idea Blueberry! That “retirement” idea is inspiring!

    Like

  13. Angela Avatar
    Angela

    I love this gorgeous picture. Blueberry, your retirement center is the absolute Ritz! This picture shows the serene beauty and peace of RDF!

    Like

  14. Mircat Avatar
    Mircat

    How sweet! I didn’t know they liked to go in for a swim or just to stand! How neat there is a place to do that! I should be so lucky in my retirement.

    Like

  15. Penny Avatar
    Penny

    Blueberry… yeah, girlfriend! You’ve got it made in the shade…. er wading pool!!!

    Like

  16. Laura, Levi & Timmy Avatar
    Laura, Levi & Timmy

    Blueberry looks like she is enjoying herself!! You may need to take the hose to the blind horses to cool them off. The green hills look gorgeous. You have all the heat and back here in Montana we are flooding everywhere! At least once it quits raining; we will have all that lush greenage for a little while anyway. 🙂

    Like

  17. Lisa K. from CA Avatar
    Lisa K. from CA

    That is an absolutely beautiful picture! I would love to have it on my wall! The scenery and mtns in the background are breath taking and you have captured the loveliness of the horse, which with your telling of her 30+ years makes it more endearing.
    A picture is worth a thousand words, so I’ll “shut up” now and let the picture speak …

    Like

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