At Horse Listening, we are emphatic life-long learners of all things horsey. You will be reminded time and again about how there is so much to be learned from horses and other horse people, if only we listened.

During this time of Covid-19, many of us have been separated from our horses for over a month. I love the creativity of this short photo story during a time when we can't hug our horses!

This guest post is written by Blythe Ellis, an Equestrian and General Arts and Science student who has an interest in horses, books, photography and vintage toys. Generally, in ripping old toy horse’s hair off and replacing it with yarn wefts before repainting the eyes and hot-gluing a bridle onto its head. But only when one can be found at a secondhand store, collectors ask too much! Find her on Instagram: @redheadwiththehorse

Nova started his long and illustrious life born into a line of the Shenandoah Riding Club playset.

Kid Kore made a wide variety of collectible horse models spanning from Indian horses to Gypsy caravans. Essentially, everything that companies could be blacklisted for today were enthusiastically marketed - but 1998 was a different time.

Little was known about Nova until around 2008, when he was picked up from a secondhand store by a horse-doting young girl.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He stood out due to how ugly he was, bones poking through his skin and a disgusting off-coloured mane that could barely be called white. But to a child, he was a beloved character found in endless stories.

 

 

In her imagination, Nova was a fierce wild horse, roaming free through the backyard fields and forests. An unstoppable event horse, he won enough ribbons and trophies to fill countless tack rooms. Occasionally, he was even a trusty lesson horse who showed big as a youngster but enjoyed teaching children the ropes in his older years.

 

Recently, Nova has received a mini makeover. His mane and tail were rerooted with yarn and faded details were repainted. As a twenty-two-year-old plastic pony, he’s looking pretty good for his age! If you look closely enough, you might notice a few scuffs, but he has survived many years of play. 

Now he’s expected to live a lighter life, no more pretend play, but hopefully many more photoshoots.

 

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Read more guest posts here:
The Mental Game of Riding: If technical perfection is essential for success, what explains the success of riders whose technique leaves a lot to be desired? Thoughts on muscle memory, practice, the mental part of riding, finding courage, and one simple thing you can do to improve all of the above. 
Partnership With Your Horse: An Essential Ingredient And How To Get There: In all reality, bonding with a horse is not just for the movies. Here are the five key ingredients for developing partnership with your horse.
Getting "In Touch" With Your Horse's Body: by Lindsay Day: You don’t have to know the names and function of every muscle, bone and joint in your horse’s body to garner benefit from, well, quite simply, feeling your horse.
Little Known Qualities of Great Farriers, by K. Arbuckle, professional farrier: The farrier, though required to scientifically balance and shoe a horse, is an artist working with a living canvas.
Choosing Appropriate Western Dressage Goals: by Cathy Drumm: The understanding that horses need to be properly developed and conditioned in order to perform ANY significant physical activity with a rider on board doesn’t seem to be standard knowledge.