Hanging With the Boys

Last night I brought two of my geldings in to hang out with me.

Most of the time, I tend to impose goals for the time that I spend with each horse and in some ways lose the most basic connection with them.

Because I have 5 horses and look after approximately 18 more, I am fairly tight for time when it comes to my own and as a result they get the short end of the stick.

It was wonderful to be alone with them, quietly reconnecting and really taking my time in their grooming and enjoying the moment instead of rushing through so I can saddle them up. 

I could see that Sonny recognized the less purposeful energy in me and actually put his head down, allowing me to give his face and poll a good brushing--something that he usually resists.  His eyes were half shut and he was really enjoying the attention.  

Jacob was nice and relaxed, enjoying the moment and not being his usual flighty self. 

I turned them in the arena for a roll and as soon as Sonny got to his feet he took off kicking and bucking, trying to entice Jacob to play.  They raced each other around the arena, doing lap after lap only stopping when they were totally winded and sweaty.  

I love watching them at liberty--especially the geldings because they are playful creatures. Mares tend to herd the crew, keeping certain horses away from their buddies.  They are far more serious about life than their male counterparts.

Once playtime was over they came over to hang out with me.  Sonny was very engaged and so we did a little liberty dance.

He was matching my foot steps as I walked around the arena with him at my side.  Slowly circling, moving forward and backing one step at a time. 

I love the feeling of connecting with their energy--their sole focus on my body language and movement.  It is so powerful, almost magical.  Getting back in touch with it last night really grounded me.  My only obstacle was time.  I would have been content to spend a few more hours with them as they would with me.

Who needs a therapist?

Playtime!

Sonny and his buddy Mike had gone on a long trail ride and when we unsaddled them, we turned them out into the arena to roll.   It was like they had a discussion beforehand and went straight into some pretty intense play. (my apologies for the poor quality video)

And we thought we had tired them out!

Geldings can be so funny sometimes.

Listen To Your Horse - You Might Actually Learn Something

I think this says it all.

A Great Horse

I have the magnificent Sonny.  He is a 16HH grey appendix gelding.  

He has this incredible presence to him.  A very regal boy.  Not perfect conformationally but he is the type of horse that attracts attention when he is around.  

He is moody, prickly and quirky. Honestly I think that is what I love most about him. Some days he very clearly decides that he doesn't want his face touched.  If I try a new piece of tack on him, it becomes an ordeal.  He will fuss and carry on and I either have to power through it or remove the offending piece of equipment.  Last time it was bell boots.

Instead of getting all upset about it, I just embrace who he is.  I love him in all of his ways and when the chips are down, he always comes through for me.

He is the most incredible ride.  He floats at the gallop and the raw power that I feel beneath me is unreal.

I worked with him for a few years before I decided that I needed him in my life.  He was one of those gangly, homely, difficult young horses.  Nobody really understood him.  Some thought he was brain damaged from a nasty bout of the strangles as a yearling.   I tried to get other people to work with him but he was such an explosive and odd young horse, that he scared everyone.  I took him on because he was supposed to be sold by his owner but I knew he wasn't a horse that I would feel comfortable selling to anyone in the state he was in so he became one of my projects.

He would randomly stand and kick the barn wall behind him just for the sake of kicking it. You couldn't tie him in the arena because there was something about the white walls that he hated.  His ears would go all sideways and then he would start brooding and thinking and he would do whatever it took to get free.  Throwing himself over backwards was one of his favorite tactics.  

I spent a lot of time scratching my head with him.  I couldn't treat him like other horses because he wouldn't get over things.  Instead he would brood and stew over anything that bothered him.  He absolutely refused to lunge to the right.  He was explosive under saddle.  You could just feel that he was ready to blow at any given moment.  

I handled his biggest issues by not handling them.  We would focus on the good and get that working better.  I spent loads of time observing him.  What I did notice was brilliant. 

I put him in the arena with a halter and rope and let him loose.  I do that with the younger horses to get them used to ropes and giving to their own pressure.  He wasn't happy about the rope that was chasing him.  There went the sideways ears and he was doing his best to run away but it just kept following him.  Then he went over to a jump standard that was off to the one side and somehow managed to get the rope wound in it.  Still more sideways ears but instead of rushing to his rescue, I decided to observe him and wait for the explosive battle.  Instead, he calmly thought things through and managed to extricate himself and the rope by ever so carefully picking his way around the obstacle. I was thrilled to see that when something stressful happened he had a way of thinking things through and not losing his mind.  

He ended up getting himself cast in a stall one time.  He was literally leaning back against the corner of the stall and looked like a funny person slouching in the corner.  I asked a friend for help and I was scared because of his history, however he seemed to know that he was in a predicament and he was extremely cooperative as he got him untangled.  Not one kick.  Again, when the heat was on, he totally had his act together.

What I have also observed is how his worst issues have melted away just as I had hoped they would.  People tried to give me advice with him but I just decided to listen to my gut with this boy.  

He is turning 10 this year and most of the time he is a very nice, quiet and compliant gelding.  He is still prickly and moody and cold backed at times but I just accept him for who he is and actually have some respect for his non-conformist personality.  He is my main mountain riding horse and I have taken him to shows.  He has come such a long way but it has been a very long journey.  I will say this: he has been worth every moment.  

He is also very smart and playful.  He is affectionate and possessive.  He is noble and masculine.  Graceful and regal.  I am very blessed to have him in my life.