My Horses Are Weird, Separation Anxiety Version

Horsekeeping

Awareness of the outside world . WBUR: I’m Not Celebrating The Chauvin Verdict, by Pelton, April 22, 2021. Counterpoint. The Root: Black People Don’t Need Reminders That Chauvin’s Guilty Verdict Doesn’t Mean the Fight Is Over. It’s OK to Celebrate Small Victories, by Linly, April 21, 2021.
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Pause for regrouping.
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The Equine Amateur Dramatic Society is now in session.

Setting
For the FCHP show, Rodney went by himself. Milton stayed behind. Neither one has shown the ability to stand quietly at the trailer while the other one works, particularly if that other one goes out of sight. We will wrestle that greased pig in the future. Too many other issues to concentrate on at the moment. For now, solo showing. [Show Report]

Rodney
When we left for the show, Rodney was convinced, utterly convinced, that he was leaving, never to return.

Rodney has lived with three owners and four residential trainers. I don’t know if that is a little or a lot for the average horse. For Rodney, the lifestyle had left him with the conviction that every time he got on a trailer he was moving somewhere new. It took us trips over many months to convince him that we would always bring him home.

Shipping in company undoubtedly helped.

Now he was getting on the trailer all by his lonesomeness.

… this is it … I was right all along … all those other trips were an aberration … this time is for real … I’m outta here … new stall here I come … I wonder if I will like the new place … I doubt it … where am I? … where is this that I now call home? … oh, here … I’ve been here … I go home from here … oh … okay.

Milton
When we left for the show, Milton was convinced, utterly convinced, that the three of us were leaving him, never to return.

Milton’s resume includes the track and two owners. He doesn’t seem to have the departure demons that Rodney has. Milton wants everyone to be together. His favorite time is team meetings, when the four of us stand around grooming, and puttering, and chatting. His least favorite time is when Rodney goes out to the ring or around the field without him. When we leave, he stays in the stall to contain his anguish. In contrast, being the stay-at-home horse bothers Rodney not at all. [Gold Star]

… where are you going? … why are you leaving MEEEEEEEEEEEEE?!?!?! … you’re back … it was so long … I had such a tough day … I’m so tired.

Stay safe. Stay sane.
Katherine