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Training the Mind of the Horse and Rider

Training the Mind of the Horse and Rider
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Sunday, November 7, 2010

A Quiet Fall Day

Today, I did something that I have been wanting to do for awhile. We were having a wonderful 70 degree day, even though a little breezy. I sat and enjoyed the fall day. I took my computer and a book, and went outside and laid on the lounge chair.

There were a few people trail riding today, but I just didn’t feel like hauling. I wanted to enjoy this day in a different way. I know I’m counting the days before winter really hits, and maybe I’ll still get on a horse today, but I doubt it. I’m too relaxed right now.

Except for the distant whine of a chain saw, it was great to sit outside and do perfectly nothing! I’ll have horse chores to do later, and a round bale to put out in one of the lots, and dogs and cats to feed. I’ll have to rinse the legs of 2 of the horses, as a new horse decided to try to kick everyone. He had been across the fence for a week, and he needed to go into the larger lot. He wasn’t letting his lot mates eat their grain. I figured Starlet would put him in his place.

Oh, yeah, she did, but in the process, got her back leg kicked. It actually looks worse than it is. I rinsed it last night, as the new horse left about an 8 inch mark down her leg. No swelling or heat today. She sure does lay back her ears and goes after him though. He is just bully enough to stand his ground. I wonder how long it will take him to know that she is boss.

Then the new horse must have gotten Shaggy later. Shaggy wants to be a friend to everyone. They were sniffing at each other like dogs yesterday and I thought those 2 wouldn’t fight. But today, Shaggy has 2 marks up high on his back leg. No cut, just some scuffs and missing hair, but enough to know that it came from a kick and not a bite.

That’s the chances I have to take to put a dominant acting horse in his place. He needs to back down and give up. I’ll give that job to Starlet, with Chick’s help.

Daylight Savings Time was last night, and we took advantage of the extra hour by sleeping in. It sure felt strange today, as even by 10 this morning, it felt later. It’s almost 4 now, and I can feel the air already getting cooler. I better not wait much longer to start chores. Rinsing legs, filling a water tank, feeding dogs and cats, checking the other boarding horse’s water, giving one lot a round bale, and be in before dark.

That’s one nice thing about shorter days. I can lounge on the couch longer in the evenings. I think I’m starting to hibernate.

2 comments:

Nuzzling Muzzles said...

You've got to change your routine and do something different every once in a while. Just sitting and enjoying a nice day is a requirement.

I really get angry when my horses bite or kick at each other. They can get away with a lot of stuff, but understand that my rule of getting along is not flexible. The other night my neighbors had guests outside who were throwing a Frisbee around, screaming and laughing while I was trying to get my horses into their stalls for feeding time. Gabbrielle started backing into Bombay to kick him, and he reared up coming down on top of her. I yelled, "QUIT!" in my very angry voice. The horses instantly broke it up and so did my neighbors. Ha ha! I guess they thought I was yelling at them.

Horses Are Our Lives said...

NM, I know, I think you just know when you have to change routine and relax! The "Quit" made me laugh, as I say that to my hubby when he does something also! lol The same here...when I yell at the horses, they "quit" and watch me too. This new horse is quite bossy, and needs to get with the program! lol

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