Freedom

   : the quality or state of being free: as
a : the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action
b : liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another : independence
c : the quality or state of being exempt or released usually from something onerous
d : ease
e : the quality of being frank, open, or outspoken
f : boldness of conception or execution
g : unrestricted

Webster's

More snowfall brought more joyful playing. No one was running because they had to, there was no need to escape pressure either natural or human induced, there were no expectations or even bribes, just jubilant freedom.
Freedom to run or to just watch.

Often I feel the space they have is not large enough and does not allow them the freedom of movement they need. I look at fences and wish they could all go away. Then I am reminded of the freedoms they do have, they are mentally and emotionally free to express themselves, they can snort out to the world “No one owns me”.



Music by Gentle Thunder, Heart of the Eagle and Ripples in the Pond from her album Opening the Gate.

Video 1
The first day, Ladybug was not comfortable with the others playing, Paisley stays out wide giving her space.
Ally Pup was restricted by the deep snow and her short legs, Paisley wondered why she wasn't playing like usual and kept checking on her.

Video 2
The next day, Paisley chose not to play but to stand with me and watch the little people tear it up.
Snow was deeper this day so Ally still couldn't run and they all kept trying to coax her out.
But most amazing was Ladybug let go!
It is not difficult to cause her to run, she is very sensitive, but this was all her. She was expressing her own joy and freedom!
This was the first time Sage has moved this way, with her tail straight up, full of pride and joy.

I have laid down the feeling they were better off here...

Sage and Rosebud in the "wild" where they were considered to be a problem.

Their physical freedom was taken away, that cannot be changed, but living as they do now they will be free to develop intellect above and beyond instinctive survival. Slaves to no one.

There are so many ways we all give away our freedom. We allow important decisions about who we are and what we do be made by other people, the past, and society.

Horses, to me, have always symbolized freedom... but the definition of freedom is expanding!