Awareness of the outside world. “Health issues in wives significantly increase divorce, particularly in older couples.” Psychology Today: What’s Behind a Shocking New Divorce Pattern. Sills, May 16, 2025. An unpleasant topic. I’ve forwarded the article twice recently, which means it’s probably worth sharing here. We’re fine. The people I talked to are fine. It was more something that arose in conversation.
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Our morning walks are back and forth along the long side of the pasture.
The walk out is easy. The Cookie Meister sits in the corner and doles out treats. The horses are happy to head that way. [Version 2.0, Morning Walk Stories]
The walk back is easy. Heading to barn.
The tricky spot is the turnaround to start a new lap. If left to his own devices, Rodney is likely to say, ‘Later, Dudes’ and head back to the barn. If he goes back, he stays there.
Milton prefers to stay with the herd. He can be counted on to make the turn (as an unhitched caboose (edited for clarity)). If all goes awry and he ends up at the barn, he will come back out to see what everyone is up to.
So.
We all walk out together. Stop for morning pee.
Walk to corner. No lead ropes. On the first pass, sometimes they want me to take point. Sometimes, they march ahead.
At corner. Dispense cookies. Put leadrope on Rodney.
Walk back. Milton trundles along.
Turn around. Release Rodney. Off they go. [Milton’s Position in The Parade]
Repeat.
Last week we got back to the walks after missing a few days due to mud and rain. On the way back, Milton would get ahead of me and Rodney.
We had erred by missing a few days and he was now going to model the proper walk paradigm.
Would he make the turn on his own?
Yes, he would.
Because that’s how it’s done.
Onwards!
Katherine
Virtual Brush Box 
Horses and humans are very similar, even their variations.
Mom
I could not do this.