Horse Care – Page 28 – Virtual Brush Box

Multi-tasking

A more evolved person might be able to occupy her mind by being full in the moment as the beautiful black horse grazes in the lovely green field under the sunny blue sky. Me, I need a book. Since she has proven that I dare not put down the leadrope, I need to find aContinue reading “Multi-tasking”

Life Lessons from a Horse

For two decades, one of the underlying principles in our barn management has been Trust the Mare. We could rely on her common sense to run the pasture. Lately, not so much. For 18 years, we left Mathilda in charge of where she and Previous Horse spent their time. Answer: out for storms, in forContinue reading “Life Lessons from a Horse”

New Barn Checklist

Prodded in the buttocks by a comment from Cowgirliz [Never Settle], today I visited a barn that offers Western lessons. Western comes with less baggage. I don’t know anyone in that world and have no ambitions in that direction. Of course, there exists the mathematical possibility that I will meet my equine soulmate, become theContinue reading “New Barn Checklist”

Grazing Pains

How do horses do it? Given the choice horses would graze 24/7. Yet after a session of hand-grazing Mathilda, I’m plumb tuckered out. Too tired to swear. The optimist in us says that Mathilda is getting stronger. The pessimist points to her weight, wonders about her age, and questions the rosy-coloredness of our glasses. EitherContinue reading “Grazing Pains”

Rodney’s Mommy?

Is a bay mare in in Tennessee. I am not. I prefer boss. As in: Yes, Boss. Right away, Boss. Is this high enough, Boss? I utterly reject and despise referring to human women as horse mommies. Not crazy about “pet parents” either. My aversion to this usage dates back to my first leased horseContinue reading “Rodney’s Mommy?”

A Rodney Moment

Let us take a break from horse shopping to check in with our hero. How has Rodney been while I have been plotting his replacement and Mathilda has been taking up all my time? Fat & happy. Remarkably so. At night, we put him up in a stall and bed down the aisle to giveContinue reading “A Rodney Moment”

The Upside of Illness

There is none. I must respectfully – and carefully – disagree with the Marines that pain is weakness leaving the body. Pain is the body having a temper tantrum. It overreacts [vasovagal response]. It’s bad at explaining itself [referred pain]. It’s loud and annoying and you can’t wait for it to get over itself andContinue reading “The Upside of Illness”