THE U-TURN: Walking Matilda

Nick Eaton with Tilly, short for Matilda, on Sedgwick Ridge Road. Photo by John Boit.

By Rising Tide Staff

With fewer and fewer large farm animals around the area, the image of Nick Eaton walking a friend’s horse down the Sedgwick Ridge Road on Sept. 20 was worth capturing. Eaton is training Tilly (short for Matilda), who is responding well to walking with a bit in her mouth, he said.

As he headed toward open pasture and blueberry barrens down the road for an evening stroll, he met Jason Joyce of Swan’s Island, who was on the mainland for the day. Joyce, a lobsterman, and Eaton had not met previously, but the two struck up a conversation about the many members of their multi-generational local families who do know each other. Both men are eighth generation Mainers.

Eaton and Joyce talk about horses and family. Both are eighth generation Mainers. Photo by John Boit.

Joyce’s father Carlton was also fond of horses. He sent The Rising Tide the following pic of his dad, who owned five horses over his lifetime. Below is Carlton Joyce with his horse, Roxie, out for a wagon ride on Swan’s Island in 2022.

Carlton and Roxie on Swan’s Island. Photo courtesy of Jason Joyce.