Sweet Wild Syringa

[ducks4you]

We also have good habits that you can use even on old and trusted calm horses that you have owned for a long time, such as running your hand around their hind quarters every time that you walk around the back, just to show them WHERE you are if they might be able to See where you are.
Using good habits protects you, even IF you think you don't have to.

 

[Rhodie Ranch]

Where oh where, is the darned "LOVE" button?????

 

[Nyboy]

Thanks for the compliment Mary and Bay, but I'm no horse whisperer.

I make plenty of mistakes, but am trying to be a good student of the horse, and understand the why behind the actions and reactions. Lots to learn yet.

SMART !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[digitS']

I wonder how many fillies were named for this pony:

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/misty-of-chincoteague

Dad's Appaloosa was. Her coloring fit the name but I don't know who named her. I wonder if he remembers. I wonder if he did.

Steve

 

[thistlebloom]

I wonder how many fillies were named for this pony:

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/misty-of-chincoteague

Dad's Appaloosa was. Her coloring fit the name but I don't know who named her. I wonder if he remembers. I wonder if he did.

Steve

Thousands I'm sure. I loved all of Marguerite Henry's books when I was a kid, and read them to my kids when they were little.

 

[Nyboy]

I always found stuffed animals kind of creepy and very sad.

 

[digitS']

They aren't Trophies.

I can understand owners trying to hold onto them.

somehow ...

Steve

 

[Nyboy]

Nope creepy

 

[thistlebloom]

Syringas education has been coming along. My good friend who happens to also live right next door has been helping me out with her training. She suggested I bring her over for a play day at her place Sunday so she could show me a few things to work on with her.

Here she is getting her accustomed to a scary object (grocery bag) and helping her build confidence.

Syringa did well and stood for the bag being rubbed all over. She didn't like it, but she controlled her flight instinct.

She tolerated a saddle pad and took a bit for the first time. She is only learning the feel of the bit and learning to carry it quietly.

Then, at last it was time to get Syringas first hoof trim. I have been working with her, lifting her feet, cleaning them, holding them between my knees, pulling them forward and lightly rubbing a rasp over them to imitate what the farrier will be doing.

She did well after a bit of a rocky few moments with her first hoof.

My farrier also comes in the evening and in the winter it will be dark when he comes. He wears a headlamp to illuminate his work. So I have been getting up before it's light and feeding the horses with my headlamp on. Before I give them their hay I go in Syringas pen and rub her all over and lift her feet. At first the headlamp was super scary and the shadows it cast spooked her. Now though, when she sees the headlamp bobbing towards her pen she lets out her happy "FOOD LADY!! whinny.

My farrier got her feet cleaned up and found evidence of healed abscesses in all four hooves. She must have been in incredible pain when they were active.

Her feet are now cleaned up and trimmed, and with regular hoof care she should grow out much healthier feet.
I'm really proud of how she handled her first ever trim, with a stranger with big clanky tools holding her feet for long periods. My farrier was also impressed. She was really looking to me for reassurance, and that makes my heart happy.

 

[digitS']

That fun sharing with your friend makes me think of a new entrepreneurial scheme, Thistle'.

HorseSharing.

Sure. It could work like those scooter and bike rental systems. Car2Go ... your phone app opens the door of the Mercedes and off you go ... leaving the car on the street with the company plugging the meter. Someone drives around with a trailer at 9pm to collect the ride and after the horses are deactivated.

I haven't quite figured out how the app to charge the user works to activate the horse. I think it would have to do with the saddle and the bridle. Press a button, stirrups descend and reins become available. Climb aboard and head out!

Steve