A Quiet Moment

People were animals too, once, and when we turned into human beings we gave something up. Being close to animals brings some of it back.

Dr.Temple Grandin

When you are working with a horse your mind is quiet. The chatter of Covid numbers, tweeting twitters, grocery lists, lists ad infinitum, all go to silence. It is you and the horse. You are focused every second on the horse and how he feels. Even if you are going on a hack the movement of the horse, the sound of his footfalls, quiets your mind.

For me that is the Quiet Moment of this weeks Lens-artists Challenge #102 from Patti Moed. Thank you for this challenge Patti.

Comments

32 responses to “A Quiet Moment”

  1. Leya Avatar

    Anne, here you managed to capture the “oneness”, the being one with the horse. Quiet moments like these are precious. So well done.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you for this comment. Much appreciated!

      Like

  2. scrapydo2.wordpress.com Avatar

    Special the quiet moments. We all need those moments. Perfect photo too.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you! I agree we need those moments in our lives.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Wind Kisses Avatar

    I have talked to so many people who feel “at one” with their horse. It was a hard to grab that notion as I used to be deathly afraid of horses. I learned with the proper guidance, how elegant and graceful they are and how they do indeed seem to read the riders emotions. Very nice. Donna

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you for this comment. I’m glad you are no longer fearful of horses.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. pattimoed Avatar

    What a beautiful quiet moment, Anne. I love the light and shadow in this shot. Black and white is perfect here to enhance the mood.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      It was a serendipity getting the lighting. Sometimes in this arena it happens and other times is does not. The horse and rider are going along a mirror and in the mirror the windows at the other end of the arena can be seen. In color they are green and I found that distracting so I opted for black and white. Thanks so much for your comment.

      Like

  5. JohnRH Avatar

    Great photo. I like the Grandin quote, too. People are still animals, or worse than, often.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Sadly what you say is true. Some human behavior gives animals a bad name. I often think most animals behave better. Thanks for commenting. Glad you like the photo and quote.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Subbashini Meenakshi Sundaram Avatar

    Can I understand as, being with your horse is your meditation.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Exactly! You have understood it perfectly.

      Like

  7. Terri Webster Schrandt Avatar

    Wonderful thoughts, Anne. How I miss my quiet morning rides on my horse when I was a kid living in Oregon.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      I am sure you do. There is nothing like it really. Thank you for this comment Terri.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Avery Avatar

    Lord, yes, to the quite. Great photo capture.

    Liked by 2 people

  9. sandyjwhite Avatar

    Love this image, Anne. The lighting is magical!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      The lighting in the arena can be tricky but sometimes it give me a luminescence like this! Thanks Avery.

      Like

  10. David Avatar

    Beautiful image, Anne. What you said about how everything fades away is so true. It is just the connection. Riding without the public, the daughters said that should happen more when things return to “normal”.

    The daughters had a good first week. Two more shows to go.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you for this comment David. Give the girls my best for the next two shows.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Robyn Avatar

    What a beautiful way to depict such a special moment – looks great!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you Robyn!

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Robert Parker Avatar

    Wow what a striking photo, the horse is almost disappearing in darkness, very cool. I definitely appreciate quiet, and places and things you do, that quieten your mind. Had to look up “going on a hack,” (a relaxed ride for light exercise, is that the meaning?) A very good “quiet moment” post.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      A hack usually refers to a ride outside of the arena and along a trail or I the woods or across fields. It is a break from the work in the arena and is good mentally for horse and rider. In the UD they often call it trail riding. Thanks for commenting Robert.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Robert Parker Avatar

        Thank you, sure, trail rides.

        Liked by 1 person

  13. Tina Schell Avatar

    Had I thought about it I might have guessed Anne :-). Lovely image and I know how very difficult it is to capture horse and rider indoors so kudos on you for that!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you Tina the lighting in the arena can be tricky but sometimes it offers a gift like this!

      Like

  14. Amy Avatar

    ” the sound of his footfalls, quiets your mind;” — What a beautiful, quiet moment. I love this capture, the lighting is incredible.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      The lighting was a serendipity! The arena can be difficult with a huge window at one end and light comes in directly above the horse and rider. I edited this one to B and W because i did not want the reflection of the windows in the arena mirror to distract from the light on the horse and rider. Thanks for your comment Amy. I appreciate it.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Amy Avatar

        Thank you for explaining the process. Excellent, Anne!

        Liked by 1 person

  15. susiesopinions Avatar

    A special moment.

    Liked by 2 people

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