Category Archives: Horse Behavior

Pics Or It Didn’t Happen

I’m not ready to go public with video. Instead, as proof of concept, here is a still from one of them. Rodney and I have been doing short, quiet, walk sessions on a semi-regular basis. Yay! Rodney is wearing a synthetic schooling bridle because leather upsets him [Here We Stand]. Go figure. He’s wearing neonContinue reading “Pics Or It Didn’t Happen”

Perseverance

Part 3 of 3 [Part 2: Hindsight] [Part 1: Clean Cups!] Did we keep plugging away at Milton’s issues from strength of character? Not really. We got stuck. Actually, I got stuck. My steadfast support staff maintained that it would work out. Partly in self-defense. He didn’t want to be living with me if itContinue reading “Perseverance”

Clean Cups!

Part 1 of 3 “`I want a clean cup,’ interrupted the Hatter: `let’s all move one place on.’” Alice in Wonderland Milton is a different horse. Changing his feed has finally addressed the what-the-hell factor that has plagued us since the beginning. To quote Buffy Bourbon [again Patterns], emphasis mine: “My best guess for MiltonContinue reading “Clean Cups!”

Meanwhile Back at the Ranch: Feed

At the beginning of the year, we raised Milton’s rations significantly [Miseries: Feed Me!]. He improved. For a while. Then stalled. His attitude was more pleasant, but still grumpy, “He’s never going to be a ray of sunshine, but he’s less vile-tempered.” He disliked being groomed. I was annoyed with him. Our blacksmith thought heContinue reading “Meanwhile Back at the Ranch: Feed”

New Equipment: Grooming Bats

Okay Milton, wave that back foot at me one more time. Go on. I dare you. I do not advocate fear, or pain, or abuse. I do advocate respect. Me for the horse. The horse for me. A horse needs to know that a misstep will receive swift retaliation from the herd leader. That wouldContinue reading “New Equipment: Grooming Bats”