Thoughts on The Night The Animals Talked

The myth is that animals are given the gift of speech on Christmas eve. Why? Why would I want my horses to talk? I can imagine what they would say.

More carrots!

You’re late!

Work? I would prefer not, thank you so much.

I sense danger! Flee! Flee! Flee!

More carrots!

They have no trouble conveying these sentiments without words. Besides, people use words. We are hardly an advertisement for the peace and joy that comes from sharing speech.

Possibly, the horses would have good things to say.

Breakfast!

Oooooh, hay. Yummy!

Time for a nap in the sun.

Hello human. Are you here to do nice things for me?

I itch right there. Ahhh, that feels good. Yeah, fingernails!

Dinner!

They have no trouble conveying these sentiments either. People who say animals don’t talk, just aren’t listening.

[From The Horse’s Mouth]
[Talk To Me]
[Ladies Night]

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

Show Report: Winter Tournament 2017-18 #2, Driving

Driving Thursday

Alabama Winter Tournament 2017-2018
Stepping Stone Farm
Chelsea, AL USA
Saturday, Dec 16, 2017
[Show Report]

26. Academy Driving with Whiskey – 1st of 2
Thank you to the Courtney Huguley for Whiskey

Back in November, Miss Courtney asked me to help her hitch a new horse. She took all the risk. I held the horse a little and then stood around with the metaphorical whiskbroom to pick up the pieces.

From the previous trainer, Miss Courtney had gotten conflicting reports on whether or not the horse, Whiskey, had been driven. Miss Courtney knew Whiskey’s original trainer and was pretty sure he was the type to drive his horses before teaching them to ride. Pretty sure. As she said, we all did a whole lot of praying in a short amount of time.

Whiskey was a star.

You could see him flipping through his mental files, trying to figure out where he’d done all this strange stuff before. The second time we hitched, Whiskey was all, “Yup. I remember this.” I took a turn that day. Third time, “I be a driving horse.” The fourth time Whiskey hitched, I drove without Miss Courtney warming him up and then Whiskey gave an intro driving lesson.

At the show, we took the precaution of hitching in the ring, given the chaos of horses coming in and out. Probably wasn’t needed. Whiskey was a total pro.

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

Show Report: Winter Tournament 2017-18 #2, Riding

Saddle Seat Wednesday

Alabama Winter Tournament 2017-2018
Stepping Stone Farm
Chelsea, AL USA
Saturday, Dec 16, 2017

1. Advance Horsemanship WTC Adult – 4th of 7
2. Advanced Equitation WTC Adult (Pattern) – 6th of 7
7. Pleasure Horse or Pony WTC Adult – 3rd of 4
Thank you to Courtney Huguley for Whiskey

Given the high-level suit riders in the class, fourth was a respectable ribbon to start with.

In the second class, we displayed a wee bit more, um, exuberance than was called for. For example, at the end of the equitation pattern we chose to canter back to the line-up rather than trot. That was not our only error.

During the break between classes, horse and rider brains got stuffed back into their respective boxes.

Third class was too quiet but at least not alarming. Best we were going to get at that point.

Whiskey looks to be my ride for a while. I need to learn how to get the flair without the flameout.

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

New Equipment: Blinkers

Coach Courtney suggested blinkers to address Milton being jumpy about the saddle [Milton Meets Butt Brakes]. I had never heard of this. Apparently, Saddlebreds trainers use blinkers when getting horses accustomed to riders. Perhaps an easy transition from driving, something a lot of ASBs do first? Of course, then the big step is removing the blinkers. She says about 1 in 4 have trouble at this point. Milton is totally cool about wearing them. Rodney, not so much. So far, the results from working Milton with blinkers are inconclusive.

I have no idea why Milton would need blinkers. While he may have used them for racing, I have photos of him being ridden sans blinkers in Canada by Fairy Godmother. But then, I haven’t understood what is going on with either of my horses in years.

Apologies for the snapshot. I meant to get a better photo, but it’s been raining since.

Have you ever heard of/used blinkers to train riding horses?

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

Rodney, The December Dismals

The relationship between Rodney and me has completely cratered.

It could be him. He’s been jumpy since his first massage back in October [Massage Day]. As if the bodywork stirred up physical issues. He was more accepting of his second massage – when he didn’t think it was ultra-weird – but still jumpy after. Or winter is coming. Rodney’s tension level always goes up as the temperature goes down. Or …

It could be me. I believe horses like to have a job. OTOH, Rodney is currently delighted with time off and isn’t coping well with the little bit of standing and riding that we do. He’ll run away when I go to catch him in the field. That’s new. In turn, I am not coping well with this change in attitude. I feel that I have put so much work into this horse and gotten so little in return. Maybe he doesn’t want to be near the scary, angry person. Or …

It could be both of us. Dark. Cold. A time of dormancy.

In the grand scheme of things, never riding your horse is tiny. It feels big to me.

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott