Answer one or all of the prompts. Link back to Living a Dream's post. Visit other blogs. And don't forget to ask a question of everyone else!
1. What is something that has startled you (or your horse) that probably shouldn't have caused any reaction?
When I first got Shyloh, everything startled her. She would jump a mile high if I dropped a grooming brush. So I started becoming a real klutz around her dropping all kinds of things and making lots of noise. Now she could care less about most things.
2. Injuries are really tough with animals, since they can't tell us about it. Have you struggled with a lameness or injury in the past?
Fortunately, Shy has been sound since I got her, with the exception of heat in her hoof one day. The next day it was magically gone.
3. What makes you, or your horse, sad?
Shy has a ton of emotions. . .you can see it in her eyes. So far, I am not sure I would classify anything I have seen as sad. Happy, sassy, mad, stubborn, silly, but not sad.
Oh, I bet she gets sad when you don't let her graze all that luscious grass :)
ReplyDeleteSevere heat is rarely a problem for us, since Estes (the horse, not the town) is about 8,700 feet elevation (the town is about 8,500). I usually go up there to escape the heat.
She probably does get a little sad, but more mad, haha!
DeleteLucky, our weather was in the 90's today and with the humidity it felt like 100!
I laughed about your acquired klutziness! Years ago one of my horses was afraid of spray cans. I used to make, "Psssssst" noises whenever I was around him. That worked the same way as your klutziness does.
ReplyDeleteIsn't amazing how you can read emotions in a horse?
Good question, and one I've never considered or dealt with. I generally let the horses take care of themselves. Shade is available to them and the barn is open so if there is a breeze it can be cooler in there. I don't work them if it is too hot. In situations where they had to be worked, when I participated in events, I would sponge them off after their work and walk them to cool them.
Well, I am a klutz anyway, so it wasn't much of a stretch!
DeleteUnfortunately, we don't have trees in our pastures. I will spray Shy down when it is real hot. A lot of time, the horses let us know when they are ready to come in, they hang out at the gate!
LOL! I'm a klutz too hehe. Chrome is such a dead head though that I don't really have a problem with the spooking and stuff. I'm glad Shy got over that. :)
ReplyDeleteToo cool off here my horses have an open access barn with doors on both sides to catch the breeze (we use fans in the three sided shed), trees, a pond and at times we have even set up the sprinklers. I also bathe with vinegar because it helps get soap residue out of the coat, makes their coat shine, changes the acidity of the skin to help prevent fungus and it's cold, so it helps to cool down! Vinegar is awesome. :)