Elvis, Halters, and Dog Treats

Saturday morning was dry, despite the smell of rain was in the air. Even the arena lake had dried up dissapeared. A short yet long-awaited reprive! The pasture was still a mud-pit, and so was my horse. He came up to the gate and I was able to snap the lead onto his halter relatively easy. However, when I went to halter him over the breakaway, he immediately started to raise his head and balk. I gave the lead two sharp jerks and said "WHOA" very firmly. Then I haltered him without further ado. I just think he needed to know I meant it. There is a point where you are helping your horse overcome something, and there is a point where funny business is just funny business and he needs to get over it.

While I was grooming My Boy up at the house, the neighbor's dog Elvis came over to visit. He is a rhodesian ridgeback and the size of a small pony.

He's a beautiful, sweet dog, but not so savvy around horses. I made him sit so I could say hello, then sent him home.

I was dissapointed because although it was dry enough in the arena to ride, I didn't have enough time this particular day. My horse was feeling spunkier than last weekend. I even got a buck and a nice floaty trot out of him on the longe line. When I watch my arthirtic ex-reiner move like that, I always think....hmmm.....maybe a second life in dressage? Of course, getting a horse to move like that under saddle....thats the challenge!

And look, look- a photo of my horse with just one halter on. Kind of like a normal horse! Except this one looks a bit cranky.

We practiced haltering a few times in the confines of the arena. I took the pasture halter off. It was crusted with dry mud and needed a stiff brush taken to it. See Fritzy and Brandy in the background?

They are a loyal pair. They always come to the back of their pasture to hang out while My Boy and I are in the arena. It's the concept of herd mentality, horses like to be in close proximity of each other. Or, here's a theory. Maybe they are just taunting My Boy because he actually has to work!

This is what My Boy has to say about that:


After his workout, I let My Boy graze. He found green grass soaked with dew, it looked rather tasty. Natural forage is a good supplement when you are paying nearly $20 for a bale of hay!

After I groomed My Boy down and put his rain sheet on, Paint Girl came off of her pneumonia recovery couch to walk Sadie up to get the mail. You might remember my post on Sadie the Australian Shepherd, who has some dominance issues. My sister had her evaluated by a pet behaviorist and is working on behavior modification using positive reinforcement. She wears this little blue treat bag on her hip at all times.

Who else do you think noticed the treat bag?

Yep, that'd be my stinker boy. He was pretty convinced Paint Girl had something in there for him.

Sadie, if you don't listen to Paint Girl right now, she's going to give all your treats to me!

Dear horse, you are a vegetarian, must I remind you?

Once My Boy was back in his own pasture, he licked his grain bucket. His head is always in his grain bucket.

Maybe he's slurping up that one little pellet he missed from his last dinner. Or perhaps he's convinced if he waits long enough, a snack will magically appear.

What? Is this all in vain?

Lucky for My Boy, once I had his grooming equipment put away, I went back out and fed all of the horses and goats for Paint Girl. I so rarely get to feed my own horse, unless I am there and it's the afternoon feeding time.

See you next weekend, My Boy!