Remembering All The Things

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!

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.

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.

Somber Weekend

This Sunday I visited Gobie and we kept it pretty mellow. Bonnie called me this weekend to let me know about Kahlua and it was kind of a shock--yes she was old, but colic always comes so suddenly. It must be hard to lose a companion you've known for decades, and have seen grow from a silly, leggy foal to a mature, stoic matriarch.

Bonnie also let me know that she's looking for another boarder. Bills have to be paid, after all! It will be interesting to have another horse in the herd and see how the dynamic changes.

She also told me that I better get a move on training Gobie to ride--since she's without a trail partner now. No pressure! Ha!

When I arrived I came out to say hi to the horses milling around the side paddock. I visited Honey to see how she was doing and gave her a treat. I could tell she was feeling a little sad--standing by herself in the field.

Gobie came over to stay hi, too. I figured we should probably do a little work at least so I got the halter on him and lead him to the work area. It was a looong walk because he would stop and refuse to move once we got nearer to the gate. I don't know if it was because he didn't really want to work (we got down to business last visit) or if he didn't want to leave Honey or if he wasn't excited about sharing a fenceline to Kahlua's resting spot.

Regardless, we made it to the paddock and I gave him a good grooming. His hair was looking pretty fabulous and messy. Unbrushed it looked like he had highlights in his forelock. Such a fashionista!

His hair is always a little wonky and flips on both sides of his neck. Ideally it would fall on just one side. I could probably correct it by shaving him a bridle path, or by braiding it all to lay on one side.

One braid, for funsies.

His hooves are looking fantastic. It's amazing what some consistent, skilled hoof trimming will do. He's got no chips or cracks in his feet at all now and his feet are so prim and cute looking. A little Peter Pan-ish even!

One thing that I wasn't excited about seeing--bot fly eggs! When I first met Gobie last Fall he had bot fly eggs, too. Basically there's a species of fly that lays its eggs on shafts of hair of horses, usually along their legs. This mostly sucks because if the horse ingests them--by rubbing their nose or lips on the eggs to itch--they can make their way into the horse's digestive tract and cause problems.

Our grooming routine included flyspray and scraping some of the eggs off. Gobie acted quite dramatically about the flyspray bit, but settled down about it quickly enough. I had a lava stone to scrap the eggs off, but they are super difficult to remove. He had quite a few of them, too, and it was nearly impossible to get them all off. I consoled myself by remembering that at the rescue he didn't have someone dedicated to getting rid of these eggs and he turned out just fine.

We did a little lunging just because he seemed to have a little bit of energy, but it was more of a token exercise to keep his memory fresh. Honey was also starting to call out--neighing all by her lonesome--so I figured it was a good time to reunited the two pals.

I hung out in the field a little bit more with the horses. I noticed that there were some pine branches along the fenceline in the field, where it looked like someone had trimmed them and let them drop where they may and then left them. I was happy to pick them up and chuck them over the fence so the horses didn't have them in the field. I'm sure they weren't a danger or anything, it just seemed like a productive use of energy.

Gobie thought the whole thing was pretty interesting. He came over to investigate and "help" by standing on some of the needles while I tried to chuck their branches over the fence. It reminded me a lot of Cinder, who was always right beside you as you worked around the field scooping poop or doing whatever chore it was.

Supervising.

Just another quality I really enjoy in Gobie: his willingness to just pal around and be kind of a pest. It's nice to be sought out, even if you are trying to get something done.

Thunderstorm and a little work

It was a quick visit to Gobie today, thanks to the weather. The forecast was a 50% chance for thunderstorms all day, but Sunday was a 90% chance so I figured I'd give today a shot!

When I got up to the barn I headed straight to the tack room. I wanted today to be a work day since the weather was cool, it was nice and overcast and I had been pretty lazy the last couple of visits. I had the halter and lead rope all ready to go out in the field and get Gobie, but he was way ahead of me. He must have seen my car pull up, because he walked from waaaay down the far right paddock, to right where I was at the tack room and was waiting at the gate to be let in!

I gave him a treat and put his halter on and we took a walk around the paddock. Remember when it was a struggle to get him to follow anyone anywhere on a lead rope? No more, friends!

In fact, his skills as a halter horse and pretty impressive if I do say so myself. We walked around in circles, backed up, did some figure eights all will ease! I even tried some trickier things. Usually when you back a horse you face them and apply a little pressure to their chest and ask them to back up. But Gobie is smart and you don't even have to touch him, just start walking toward him. Even better than that, though? You can be leading him around and then start walking backwards and he responds in kind! That's actually pretty fancy.

The other advanced thing we did? While walking around the paddock I started jogging and he picked up the pace right behind me. Sometimes a horse will stop or keep the same snaily pace as before or barge ahead of you or worse run you over, but Gobie matched the pace perfectly. Even better? When I stopped quickly he also put on the breaks. He got a treat for that!

Leading a horse was one of the "tests" we'd do at Summit Stables. You could pretty quickly gauge what a horse thought of you just by leading him around and stopping. If the horse stopped way behind you, it was a pretty good guess that he was little apprehensive. A little petting and he'd come up closer. If the horse stopped ahead of you, he though he was the leader of the team. Giving him a poke in the chest would scoot him back. And if he stopped with his nose right at your shoulder it was safe to say that he respected you as the leader. Gobie had been the first, but now his nose is always at my shoulder.

After our leading exercises I tied him to one of the posts and got ready for some grooming. He loved it! He let me very gently clean the scuzz around his eyes, brush his face with a soft bristle brush, comb his tangley mane, and brush down the rest of him. He was so relaxed he lifted his back hoof a little in repose.

By this time the sky was getting cloudy and darker, but we still had one more thing to do in our grooming routine and that was the feet. He picked up his front two feet up like a champ and they looked great. I treated him after each successful time I could pick up, pick-out, and put down his hoof. The left back hoof was pretty good, too. He kind of wiggled it around a little but I think that's more an issue with the way I'm holding it or supporting it than him giving me trouble. The right hind hoof was not as good. I was able to pick it up and pick it out, but he took it away from me and then didn't want me to pick it back up. Three out of four hooves isn't too bad, and by that time it was starting to drizzle.

I wasn't sure if it would start pouring or just be a little mist, so I headed back in the tack room and got Gobie his special concoction of black oil sunflower seeds and supplements. As he ate it the rain got more steady and there was a rumble of thunder in the distance.  He finished his food and I let him back out with his pals to huddle under the shelter of the pine trees.

As soon as I got back to my car it started POURING. Just in time!