Today I didn't have much time, now that I'm figuring out how to carpool with my husband at his work and need to actually think about how long things take, with the horse at his new home.
Cleaning the stall took forever but when I went to his paddock to clean poop there, he was apparently very happy to see me, because he would not leave my side as I wandered around, and he kept his nose softly against my elbow the entire time, sniffing and breathing so deeply I thought I must stink.
Then I realized Mag was just relaxing into my familiar smell, and enjoying it. As if he was reassuring himself, "Yes, it's her, it's that particular human stink again, but it's familiar."
He would ever so gently bump into me asking for me to touch him, and I'd rub the sweat marks off that linger from the horrid journey. When I tried to leave with the wheelbarrow full of poop, he looked at me like, "Noooooo...." so I haltered him and brought him along with the rickety old wheelbarrow. There are 9 wheelbarrows and none of them work well. Crappy tools suck!
The poop scooper was so full of holes, as soon as you fill it up, it falls out the back, so you have to start again.
The ranch hand, Willy, and I yelled hallo. He's so nice. His German's not so good and mine's heavily accented so we have a hard time beyond hallo: )
Then something negative - one of the mothers of one of the many kids that arrived said I need to get my horse out of the tie area cuz soon all the kids would have their ponies there and they needed that space. I was irritated at first, why do they get "last come first served" but then I realized that Mag was taking up 3 tie places, standing sideways, and the ponies are trained to stand perfectly sideways and not touch each other, so Mag had to go. Later I figured out that the school horses have priority everywhere.
I didn't have much time today cuz I had to get J so I told myself to make it easy on Mag, because if I challenged him and he refused, I'd be there another 30 minutes working that out (he hates lunging). But I got a chance to use the new-to-us outdoor arena, cuz the indoor was full of kids on ponies. Mag was excited to be in a new place, but only showed it by snorting a couple times and lifting up his tail and breaking into a trot when I didn't ask. When he does this, I stand there motionless and said, "Why are you trotting? I didn't ask, so why?" and then he feels foolish and walks again.
He was great. A little stiff, but my gosh, he lives in a stall and paddock, he has no opportunity to move unless I move him.
Here's my plan. Until December, in addition to neighborhood walks, I'm gonna lunge him every visit to get him over his tricks. He struck out with a foreleg yesterday to remind me "I hate lunging." Yes, I know. He hates anything that resembles work. And that has to be fixed in his mind - he has to let work into his apples on top of green grass lifestyle.
I was waiting for the ponies to arrive, to march in line by us to get to the indoor, and finally it happened, and I knew Mag would lose his mind "PONIES!" but today I was ready and he kept it together. Much better than yesterday when one horse passing by made him leave me completely.
Mag was a gorgeous sight, tail up, neck arched, prancing slow motion circles today. He can really put on a show! I love that slow jog he does because it holds no tension and is actually a good workout.
No trotting poles today, but lots of new things to see in a new place, and he held it together, so I'm happy. The sand footing in the outdoor is excellent! It's Winter and my feet stayed dry out there.
He is making Arabians look good so far, at this Arab-free barn. Not sleepy, dead relaxed, but not reactive to anything that happens. Someone said, "Can I spray my horse down next to yours?" and I said "Go ahead" and Mag just stood there, horses coming and going, being sprayed down, being hot-shod....no reaction. He just does this "Interesting!" face.
So far so good. Some photos from day 1:
I'm so glad he has a paddock - he loves it and uses it more than any other horse. The heavy plastic drapes are good training for him as they slide noisily around him. Gabi said she has some horses who refuse to go through them. You can see I've made it easier for him to learn by pulling aside the center pieces.
Coming back in. A couple people mentioned the dreaded draft and I said, "I'm not worried about a draft!" In Germany, drafts are believed to cause illness and death.
Just checking out the neighborhood. There is a lot of foot traffic on the street outside his paddock. It's especially nice when he does most of his pooping out there, because I have to pay for the bedding I use.
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9 comments:
Wondering if he's also smelling Bellis on you? Glad you've built a bond prior to his move. I imagine it will only grow stronger as he seeks out your comfort in the newness. Having his own paddock is awesome, I so hated that Grace had to wait till "turnout" time to get out of her stall at the trainers. Muck rakes without breaks were scarce there as well. And maneuvering the whhelbarrows were a challenge thru the narrow aisle in the part of the barn she was housed. I see he has a hay net, around here boarding barns don't like to use them as it makes more work. I think the opposite myself.
Camryn, they don't fill the nets so I brought two and fill them myself and it seems to be enough to get him through two nights if I miss a day. Mag has his own stall paddock and they turnout all the horses into Winter paddocks during the day, with Mag separate (and safe from 12 geldings!). I love that they get turned out BEFORE DAWN and come in as it gets dark. I understand it makes less work for Willy cleaning stalls (he cleans most of the stalls himself, I think) if they are outside more (boarders must clean the Winter paddocks). Enough food and enough turnout were always my biggest problems with boarding, and they are not an issue here so far!
Sounds wonderful! Routine and structure are everything!
I agree with Kitty Bo: routine and structure are going to be an awesome addition to Mag's life. Have you met more of the nice adult boarders yet?
Aarene, yes, tonight I met the lady with the horse trailer with "legs" that I can practice in, she said she wants to be there when I do, I understand that. Very nice that she agreed to it, she said we should do it during the Christmas break when she has some time off. She said her trailer is quirky, it comes from Ireland, and I said, "I don't understand ANY European trailer, they are all new to me!" I hope, hope, hope, this works out.
And I have been offered help from a nice lady - although she doesn't seem to ride, rather just help her daughter ride - hmmmmmm.
The lady who lives next door is my best hope due to her expertise, oh and you remember, I think, Aarene....
....her 30+ horse Ducky is a Traber. Of course, how could I forget, but when I saw him again after 9 years, I thought, is he a Standardbred? His stall is covered in little plaques that they give out for endurance finishers like t-shirts in America. You really should come visit now, so you can meet Ducky, the one eyed endurance Standie. He is the most royal citizen of the barn. He lets me warm my hands in his silky bay coat as he eats his beet pulp. I am so happy Ducky is still with us. Betinna's younger horse, Alexis, can touch noses with Mag (in the photo) but she says he's anybody's guess, Frieisan warmblood. I look forward to watching them work together, it looks like they do liberty stuff, and I am thrilled that she keeps such tabs on me that tonight she said, "You were NOT HERE on Saturday!" I said, "Um,...." She said, "Just call me, I'll do your stall." !! So when J arrived to pick me up from the barn, even though I was a popsicle, I took him up to the arena to meet her. These are the GOOD people, J: )
KB I agree so much. Now we're doin it. And you may not visit my home nor ride in my car lately. They both look terrible! I get home from the barn and just want to cook dinner and do nothing else.
I love reading about the news at your barn. I can just imagine! If your car has barn smells in it, we'd love it. I have a small stain glass plaque over my kitchen sink that says, "A perfectly kept house is the sign if a misspent life. " It kept me grounded during my children's young years and then during my equestrian years. Carpe diem!
I already love Ducky! Pictures, please!
And yay for trailer loading practice! Things are looking up. Did you see my post yesterday about the swords and quintain practice? Some day you will do that with Mag!
Your comment about the people makes me so happy! When it comes time to take him home you're going to be sad to leave! Everything sounds so perfect. I'm so happy for you and Mag!
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