Lance didn't get out yesterday, thanks to our going to church, having company for lunch, and the frozen state of affairs outside. After cleaning his stall last night I turned to leave – and heard a sound behind me. I turned just in time to see Lance coming at me. Whether he was being playful or aggressive I can't say, but it mattered not. My reaction was instantaneous; I roared and lunged back at him with the plastic manure fork, sending him scrambling for his paddock. After I finished mucking, I went back into his stall and asked him to come to me on
my terms, which he did. Point taken; I will keep my guard up.
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| Frosty hoofprints |
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| Frozen cobweb |
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| Fuzzy rascal |
Today, regardless of the frozen footing, we went for a walk. I expected him to be obedient and polite – and carried a dressage whip to reinforce my expectations. That's the upside of having a out-of-condition, pushy young horse; you can accomplish a lot with just hand-walking when you don't have a safe place to ride!*
*Not that I wouldn't enjoy using that lovely arena in which Sylvia is riding Horton....
10 comments:
Young horses, they seem to have momentary lapses of reason. I suspect it was play, but what a wonderful opportunity to cement that you are a force requiring the utmost respect.
And he is such a handsome boy. Loved the mane shots in the last post.
Ah, the "joys" of young horses. My first one bit at me once (I reacted by punching him in the nose), and swung a foot at me once (I hit him with the shovel I was cleaning his stall with). Never did either again. Probably not the best moves on my part, but I was young too, and it worked. We learned together, and I still miss him almost 40 years later.
Rick noted tonight during chores that getting out sure makes a difference in Lance's attitude. Yep, this boy needs something to DO – not unlike my 11-year-old son! ha
"A tired horse is a good horse." My favorite horse-ism.
Oh, I just love the "tired horse is a good horse" quote. So very true. Horton has not had much chance to be tired, but he has been good. We are still bonding, and getting comfortable with each other. See you at CMC tonight.
Applies to boys, too.... ;-)
Rick has a meeting tonight, too, so I don't know if I'll make it. Waiting to hear if Brian can go to my neighbor's....
Probably just being frisky and feeling his oats, and confinement. Sounds like you handled it well. He's certainly a good looking horse!
Thought of accumulated ice crystal or maybe zoomed crystal, so it was from the hoof. How you guys keep your performance horses during winter? I know some horses could endure the cold but of course there’s a limit.
Such beautiful horses. And I love the frozen spider web! Thanks for the awesome post.
Blessings,
Fay
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