It's been unseasonably nice lately! We got snow in October, but so far November has been feeling downright spring-like. We had a extra long weekend because of Thanksgiving, so I was able to get in some extra pony time this week.
On Saturday I went out to do some actual work with Gobie. The last couple of visits had been pretty laid back. We started with some grooming of course. I tied him to a post and he was quite good about standing still and being patient. Despite the warm days it still gets pretty chilly in the evening so Gobie's still sporting an excellent fuzzy coat. He was pretty muddy so he took a bit longer to get clean. He's also been getting some scabby spots that I'll have to investigate. I don't know if it's the rain, or maybe some bug bites of what. What is for certain is that Gobie is a tick magnet! I had to pick two of him today. Apparently chickens are good for keeping ticks down, but I doubt Bonnie would appreciate me gifting some to her. Ha!
After the grooming we did the usual yielding exercises--leading, back, turning on the forehand. He's a pro at this stuff by now, but it's always good to know what kind of a mood he's in.
I had read up a little on lunging earlier in the week, so we did some of that, too. Basically I learned that the key is consistency--so as long as I'm consistently bad he'll figure it out. Kidding! He did do a great job on lunging on both sides today, so either he was absorbing what we had done earlier or I was doing something brilliant that I wasn't aware of. I'm inclined to think it was more him than me, though.
I also put the bitless rope bridle on him and the surcingle. We had done this once before, but not both together. He was initially a little uncertain about it and didn't like me tugging on the surcingle, but got over it pretty quickly. The new thing added to the mix was running the lunge lines through the surcingle loops and attaching them as reins to the bridle. I have to admit, all that line was hard to manage and I was bit worried I was going to get Gobie's legs hopelessly tangled. But we managed pretty well thanks to my management and Gobie's easy going personality. Soon I had the long reins where they should be and me behind Gobie. I thought I would try getting him to back up since he's usually more than willing to do so. So, standing several feet behind Gobie with each long rein in a hand, I pulled back with equal pressure and asked him to "back." No problem! He backed right up, his ears tilted back to listen to my words. Now, if only the moving forward and the turning were so easy! I asked him to walk and he did, but it was obvious he found the whole thing a little confusing and he really wanted to turn to look at me and get some visual feedback on what I wanted him to do--and to get some treats of course! We ended but being able to walk in a little rectangle, but getting him to go straight and turn to the right wasn't going so hot. Whenever we got into a stick spot, though, I could always get him to back up and that was our saving grace. We ended the session with that so we could go on a good note.
Gobie stood quietly and dutifully as I took all that tack off. He really was trying to be a good boy. I brushed him down afterward and gave him a bunch of treats before turning him back out with his pals again.
I think part of the confusion may have been the bitless bridle. I think it's kind of a piece of junk--or I guess more accurately it doesn't work the way I think it should work. I'm looking forward to the Horse Expo in January so I can check out some more bitless bridle options. I think it will all start making more sense to him when he's got something better around his face. I may continue working with him in just a halter, since at least that will have some pressure release involved.
Before I left for the day I mixed up some black oil sunflower seeds and some supplements. It's been a while since he's gotten this mixture so I thought it would be a good reward. We did a lot, after all!
Tomorrow I'm visiting the tack shop for a couple of winter/Christmas type goodies for ol' Gobie. Monday afternoon the whole gang is due for a hoof trimming--Booboo's first at the barn--so that should be exciting!
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Gobie over the fence
I have been feeling like junk for the last week, especially physically speaking, so I decided it would be a good idea to make a quick visit to the horses and keep it low key. It was cloudy out, but pretty warm, and thinking about raining. The horses were all in a pretty lazy mood, too. It seems like they're getting along pretty well now a days.
The trees have been dropping leaves like crazy, so as the horses were grazing you could hear the crunch, crunch, crunch of them shuffling around in the leaves with their hooves and their muzzles looking for grass. The crows, too, seemed to be out in force today looking for bugs and other things in the dirt. For some reason they are quite leery of people and extremely hard to photograph, but trust me when I say these are some of the fattest and largest crows I've seen around. Not all the trees have lost their leaves. There's one on the other side of the fence in the woods that is still big and yellow. Inside the horses' paddock though most of the leaves are on the ground.
And some of the horses like to eat the leaves, which apparently doesn't agree with their digestion. Either Gobie doesn't eat as many leaves, or they don't upset his ponys-will-eat-anything stomach, but whatever the reason I'm glad he doesn't seem worse for wear.
Honey was pretty friendly over the fence today and was the first one to come up and say hi to me. But immediately I could tell that Gobie was putting everyone in check to today, including his girlfriend. He came up to the fence and I gave him a treat and he tried shooing a too-nosey Honey away. It was pretty undramatic, but even after he left me at the fence line the other horses were mindful of where he was pushing them around. All the same, our visit was pretty nice. He seems like he's healthy and content and with the impending colder weather that's all you can really ask for. I took a video of the visit over the fence.
Featuring: giving treats, Honey and Bo getting shooed, and me getting my hand licked by Gobie. Enjoy!
The trees have been dropping leaves like crazy, so as the horses were grazing you could hear the crunch, crunch, crunch of them shuffling around in the leaves with their hooves and their muzzles looking for grass. The crows, too, seemed to be out in force today looking for bugs and other things in the dirt. For some reason they are quite leery of people and extremely hard to photograph, but trust me when I say these are some of the fattest and largest crows I've seen around. Not all the trees have lost their leaves. There's one on the other side of the fence in the woods that is still big and yellow. Inside the horses' paddock though most of the leaves are on the ground.
And some of the horses like to eat the leaves, which apparently doesn't agree with their digestion. Either Gobie doesn't eat as many leaves, or they don't upset his ponys-will-eat-anything stomach, but whatever the reason I'm glad he doesn't seem worse for wear.
Honey was pretty friendly over the fence today and was the first one to come up and say hi to me. But immediately I could tell that Gobie was putting everyone in check to today, including his girlfriend. He came up to the fence and I gave him a treat and he tried shooing a too-nosey Honey away. It was pretty undramatic, but even after he left me at the fence line the other horses were mindful of where he was pushing them around. All the same, our visit was pretty nice. He seems like he's healthy and content and with the impending colder weather that's all you can really ask for. I took a video of the visit over the fence.
Featuring: giving treats, Honey and Bo getting shooed, and me getting my hand licked by Gobie. Enjoy!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Late Afternoon in November
This weekend I went out to spend some quality time with Gobie and the gang. It feels like it's been a while since I just came to sit and relax in the field with the herd. Now that things seem to be sorted out between the horses, it's safer to do so, I guess. It was a pretty afternoon--just cold enough to let you know that it was November but just warm enough for it to be comfortable. It was a wintery sun, though, that kept playing hide-n-seek in the silvery clouds that were languidly making their way across the sky in the chilly breeze.
First, I wanted to check out the wooded trail by the back paddock. Bonnie's place is surrounded by a modest woods, mostly pine trees. I walked along the fence where there seemed to be a path into the trees. The ground was covered in pine needles which seemed to insulate everything, making the entire woods seem quiet and footsteps imperceptible.
I followed the path back through the woods, and there seemed to be a couple off-shooting paths but I wasn't sure where they went. I didn't want to accidentally trespass on a neighbor's property so I headed back. I came out on the left side of Bonnie's house, facing the front paddock along the driveway.
I squeezed myself between two of the fence rails and already Gobie was standing right next to me to see what I was up to. I gave him a treat and a once-over. It looks like the scrap/bite under his mane is finally starting to grow hair back.
The order of the day was some prime relaxing and nature appreciation, so I settled down under the orange and yellow leafed tree in the paddock. It was a pretty comfy spot with a cushiony layer of leaves to sit on, and a comfortable trunk to lean against. Belle the Corgi came out to sit with me, too.
Gobie came over to see what I was up to. I've done this before--that is, settling down near a tree in a paddock with the horses--but every time Gobie wants to investigate and play with me a little. I wonder if it's instinct. After all, if your horse pal is laying down by a tree you want to make sure they're not sick or hurt in some way. It's probably a little dangerous to be sitting down in a paddock full of horses, but I'm mindful of where they are and how close they get. I'm fairly confident that Gobie won't accidentally trample on me. Being near a tree helps, too since it's a pretty visible barrier of something a horse doesn't want to knock into or rough-house around. Even so, it pays to be mindful of where you legs are in relation to any horses.
Of course my favorite thing about Gobie is his in-your-pocket friendly curiosity. He knows I'm usually well-equipped with tasty tid-bits.
He is a bit puppyish in that if you do play hard to get with the treats, he's happy to lick your hands and search your pockets and try all of his charms to try to get you to give him one. It usually works! I really enjoy his company, and it was doubly lovely, sitting beneath a tree in autumn colors. The photo below was going to be a heroic picture of Gobie, but his true colors shone through.
If anything, he's sincere, though. And properly apologetic. And a down-right schmooze. He played with my hair, and was very interested in snuffling around my face--maybe because I was wearing peppermint-scented lip gloss?
He would come and go from where I was at the tree, which was fine by me. I enjoyed relaxing, watching the horses from a far, appreciating the weather and all the good nature around.
After a while it was time to go, so I walked to where Gobie was mingling with the herd in the field. I gave him a treat, and some scratches on the withers. He must have been in a cozy mood, because he started reciprocating the grooming, by working on my shoulder with his prodding upper lip, licking and even nibbling a little, on my jacket. He also tried mussing with my hair a little.
I'm not sure if Gobie didn't link how Booboo was looking at us, if he was trying to come over to break up the niceties or what, but as our mutual grooming session was coming to an end Gobie whisked himself away from the party and ran after Booboo.
It was a short lived event, though, and I wasn't in any danger from it. Before heading back to the car I stopped by Gobie again to fuss over him a little more, tousle his hair, and steal from heat from under his mane.
First, I wanted to check out the wooded trail by the back paddock. Bonnie's place is surrounded by a modest woods, mostly pine trees. I walked along the fence where there seemed to be a path into the trees. The ground was covered in pine needles which seemed to insulate everything, making the entire woods seem quiet and footsteps imperceptible.
Peaceful.
I followed the path back through the woods, and there seemed to be a couple off-shooting paths but I wasn't sure where they went. I didn't want to accidentally trespass on a neighbor's property so I headed back. I came out on the left side of Bonnie's house, facing the front paddock along the driveway.
Gobie, having a drink.
I squeezed myself between two of the fence rails and already Gobie was standing right next to me to see what I was up to. I gave him a treat and a once-over. It looks like the scrap/bite under his mane is finally starting to grow hair back.
Looking much better!
The order of the day was some prime relaxing and nature appreciation, so I settled down under the orange and yellow leafed tree in the paddock. It was a pretty comfy spot with a cushiony layer of leaves to sit on, and a comfortable trunk to lean against. Belle the Corgi came out to sit with me, too.
Being vigilant.
Gobie came over to see what I was up to. I've done this before--that is, settling down near a tree in a paddock with the horses--but every time Gobie wants to investigate and play with me a little. I wonder if it's instinct. After all, if your horse pal is laying down by a tree you want to make sure they're not sick or hurt in some way. It's probably a little dangerous to be sitting down in a paddock full of horses, but I'm mindful of where they are and how close they get. I'm fairly confident that Gobie won't accidentally trample on me. Being near a tree helps, too since it's a pretty visible barrier of something a horse doesn't want to knock into or rough-house around. Even so, it pays to be mindful of where you legs are in relation to any horses.
Legs and the leaves.
Of course my favorite thing about Gobie is his in-your-pocket friendly curiosity. He knows I'm usually well-equipped with tasty tid-bits.
Got any treats?
He is a bit puppyish in that if you do play hard to get with the treats, he's happy to lick your hands and search your pockets and try all of his charms to try to get you to give him one. It usually works! I really enjoy his company, and it was doubly lovely, sitting beneath a tree in autumn colors. The photo below was going to be a heroic picture of Gobie, but his true colors shone through.
Put that tongue away!
If anything, he's sincere, though. And properly apologetic. And a down-right schmooze. He played with my hair, and was very interested in snuffling around my face--maybe because I was wearing peppermint-scented lip gloss?
Nuzzling my knee.
He would come and go from where I was at the tree, which was fine by me. I enjoyed relaxing, watching the horses from a far, appreciating the weather and all the good nature around.
See you later, pony.
After a while it was time to go, so I walked to where Gobie was mingling with the herd in the field. I gave him a treat, and some scratches on the withers. He must have been in a cozy mood, because he started reciprocating the grooming, by working on my shoulder with his prodding upper lip, licking and even nibbling a little, on my jacket. He also tried mussing with my hair a little.
Getting groomed.
I'm not sure if Gobie didn't link how Booboo was looking at us, if he was trying to come over to break up the niceties or what, but as our mutual grooming session was coming to an end Gobie whisked himself away from the party and ran after Booboo.
Defending my honor, no doubt.
It was a short lived event, though, and I wasn't in any danger from it. Before heading back to the car I stopped by Gobie again to fuss over him a little more, tousle his hair, and steal from heat from under his mane.
Thanks, good friend.
Monday, November 7, 2011
A visit from friends
This weekend Gobie entertained my pals Ross and Katy who came out to the horse barn for a visit. Fortunately for me, Katy took a couple photos and even a video!
When we first arrived BooBoo's person, Lori was leaving. It was nice to finally meet the human behind the horse! She gave us apple to give to the horses, which was pretty nice considering my pony has been a royal jerk to her's in the field.
We all went out to say hi to the horses in the paddock. Gobie came right up to socialize. So did Cinder, who especially like Katy.
After we were done messing around in the field, Sam tried luring Gobie into the work area with an apple.
The weather was perfect--sunny and 65. I gave Gobie a quick groom while everyone watched/played with corgis/roamed around.
Apparently the nice weather meant rainbows all over the place. Gobie was a bit distracted, and energetic, as he worried about the herd dynamic back in the field.
Everyone observed that Gobie and I have similar hair. I'm still not sure if this should be take as a compliment or what.
I thought Gobie could blow off a littler energy with some work. So I had Ross hold the horse while I ducked into the track room for some stuff. He did a good job!
We tried a little lunging. I think this was probably Gobie's four time doing it. We should be practicing it more, but I'm not confident in my lunging abilities. I'm sure it looks pretty terrible, through no fault of the horse's.
Once we were done with that exercise we did a bit of yielding, too. Then it was off to muck around some more. I've found that Gobie has an uncanny ability for embodying internet memes.
It was a nice, short, sweet visit! I'm glad my pals got to meet Gobie and experience first hand what a treat monster he is. And take the photo and video evidence to prove it.
When we first arrived BooBoo's person, Lori was leaving. It was nice to finally meet the human behind the horse! She gave us apple to give to the horses, which was pretty nice considering my pony has been a royal jerk to her's in the field.
We all went out to say hi to the horses in the paddock. Gobie came right up to socialize. So did Cinder, who especially like Katy.
After we were done messing around in the field, Sam tried luring Gobie into the work area with an apple.
Bribery works every time!
The weather was perfect--sunny and 65. I gave Gobie a quick groom while everyone watched/played with corgis/roamed around.
A girl and her horse.
Apparently the nice weather meant rainbows all over the place. Gobie was a bit distracted, and energetic, as he worried about the herd dynamic back in the field.
Look at my horse, my horse is amazing.
Everyone observed that Gobie and I have similar hair. I'm still not sure if this should be take as a compliment or what.
Who's your stylist?
I thought Gobie could blow off a littler energy with some work. So I had Ross hold the horse while I ducked into the track room for some stuff. He did a good job!
Are those treats in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?
We tried a little lunging. I think this was probably Gobie's four time doing it. We should be practicing it more, but I'm not confident in my lunging abilities. I'm sure it looks pretty terrible, through no fault of the horse's.
Once we were done with that exercise we did a bit of yielding, too. Then it was off to muck around some more. I've found that Gobie has an uncanny ability for embodying internet memes.
It was a nice, short, sweet visit! I'm glad my pals got to meet Gobie and experience first hand what a treat monster he is. And take the photo and video evidence to prove it.
Thanks Katy!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Scary!
You know what' scary? Snow in October! But sure enough--that's what we got this year. In my neck of the woods it wasn't much, but when I went to visit Gobie this weekend there was still snow sticking to the ground.
It was also pretty muddy. I tried to convince Gobie that he should walk all the way in from the field though the gate to the work area by himself, but I ended up meeting him 1/4 of the way. Which still beats having to go the whole way through the mud I guess.
The first thing we always do is a quick grooming session. That way I can clean him up a little bit and check to see if there are any injuries or other weird things going on. With the change in the weather his hair has gotten to be static-city whenever I brush it. The big scrap under his mane seems to be getting a bit better though there's still no hair growing. And he's been getting some dandruff/crustiness in some parts. I'll have to pick up some anti-bacterial spray or something. But other than that, he's looking pretty good and getting rather wooly!
Sam was with me on this visit, so we kept it kind of quick and low key. We've been working on leading and going on walks in "unfamiliar" places.
Even though he gets ultra alert and a little nervous about it, Gobie is still very good when he's being lead through scary areas. He's more apt to stop and freeze than run, and for the most part he's mindful of where I am. He's also a good listener--so if we're walking someplace scary and I ask him to back up or turn around he always complies.
We hung out a little big in the grassy area by the apple trees on the side of Bonnie's property. Another thing I've been consciously trying is lounging on, and putting my weight on Gobie's back. He's always been very happy to have me give him a hug, or play with his head and neck.
went on a walk around. There were some scary things. Like the driveway. And the Yaris. Gobie is a little dude. Being nerds. Leaning on Gobie. I think Honey and BooBoo are BFFs now! Poor Gobie. When I returned him back the herd he ran around very passionately. And got completely muddy again.
But sometimes a horse can get a little worried if they see you on both sides of them at once. I think it has something to do with that left-brain/right-brain separation. Of course, it's an important thing to get over, because when you're riding a horse they perceive you as being on both sides and right on top of them which as a prey animal is a little nerve wracking.
Anyway, Gobie doesn't mind having someone lounge on him.
Sometimes he tries to walk off, but so long as you walk with him (or ask him to stop) he's very accommodating. He also doesn't seem to mind the weight portion of it--though I guess the weight you feel with someone leaning on you is different than carrying someone around!
Gobie's favorite part of the leading/desensitization exercise is getting to eat some choice grass.
Also, sometimes Gobie looks like a regular sized horse, but other times he seems really tiny! I'm constantly re-assessing the practicality of actually riding him. I mean it's one thing to train him to be ridden, and another to plan for me to ride him consistently. We'll take it a day at a time, I guess!
When I returned Gobie back to his pals in the field he got a little nuts about it! When we were on the walk around the property Honey called for him, but he wasn't too worried about it. We also stopped to say "hi" to her and BooBoo over the fence. Honey had her head kind of hiding under BooBoo's which made me wonder if they were starting to bond pretty closely. Once I returned Gobie to the field he full-out ran to the other horses and very dramatically started pushing everyone around. I was busy putting his things away to watch it all but before I left I gave him a treat over the fence and noticed that he was muddy again--even on one side of his face! I wonder if during his dramatic return he slipped and landed in the mud, or maybe he just rolled? I hope that Honey hasn't traded Gobie in for BooBoo--though that might be the case. Poor Gobie!
Snow? in October?!
It was also pretty muddy. I tried to convince Gobie that he should walk all the way in from the field though the gate to the work area by himself, but I ended up meeting him 1/4 of the way. Which still beats having to go the whole way through the mud I guess.
I'll just wait here for you.
The first thing we always do is a quick grooming session. That way I can clean him up a little bit and check to see if there are any injuries or other weird things going on. With the change in the weather his hair has gotten to be static-city whenever I brush it. The big scrap under his mane seems to be getting a bit better though there's still no hair growing. And he's been getting some dandruff/crustiness in some parts. I'll have to pick up some anti-bacterial spray or something. But other than that, he's looking pretty good and getting rather wooly!
Sam was with me on this visit, so we kept it kind of quick and low key. We've been working on leading and going on walks in "unfamiliar" places.
The driveway is scary.
You're so handsome when you're obstinate.
The Yaris is scary, too.
Even though he gets ultra alert and a little nervous about it, Gobie is still very good when he's being lead through scary areas. He's more apt to stop and freeze than run, and for the most part he's mindful of where I am. He's also a good listener--so if we're walking someplace scary and I ask him to back up or turn around he always complies.
We hung out a little big in the grassy area by the apple trees on the side of Bonnie's property. Another thing I've been consciously trying is lounging on, and putting my weight on Gobie's back. He's always been very happy to have me give him a hug, or play with his head and neck.
went on a walk around. There were some scary things. Like the driveway. And the Yaris. Gobie is a little dude. Being nerds. Leaning on Gobie. I think Honey and BooBoo are BFFs now! Poor Gobie. When I returned him back the herd he ran around very passionately. And got completely muddy again.
Two nerds.
But sometimes a horse can get a little worried if they see you on both sides of them at once. I think it has something to do with that left-brain/right-brain separation. Of course, it's an important thing to get over, because when you're riding a horse they perceive you as being on both sides and right on top of them which as a prey animal is a little nerve wracking.
Anyway, Gobie doesn't mind having someone lounge on him.
It's nice to have a shoulder to lean on, amirite?
Sometimes he tries to walk off, but so long as you walk with him (or ask him to stop) he's very accommodating. He also doesn't seem to mind the weight portion of it--though I guess the weight you feel with someone leaning on you is different than carrying someone around!
Gobie's favorite part of the leading/desensitization exercise is getting to eat some choice grass.
omnomnom
Also, sometimes Gobie looks like a regular sized horse, but other times he seems really tiny! I'm constantly re-assessing the practicality of actually riding him. I mean it's one thing to train him to be ridden, and another to plan for me to ride him consistently. We'll take it a day at a time, I guess!
Going back to the field.
When I returned Gobie back to his pals in the field he got a little nuts about it! When we were on the walk around the property Honey called for him, but he wasn't too worried about it. We also stopped to say "hi" to her and BooBoo over the fence. Honey had her head kind of hiding under BooBoo's which made me wonder if they were starting to bond pretty closely. Once I returned Gobie to the field he full-out ran to the other horses and very dramatically started pushing everyone around. I was busy putting his things away to watch it all but before I left I gave him a treat over the fence and noticed that he was muddy again--even on one side of his face! I wonder if during his dramatic return he slipped and landed in the mud, or maybe he just rolled? I hope that Honey hasn't traded Gobie in for BooBoo--though that might be the case. Poor Gobie!
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