Bear gets the lush pasture of spring grass while Lola does all the work. When I put it that way, Lola is getting the raw end of the deal! I, however, can't help but feel guilty for not balancing the two.
We're doing lot's of fun stuff with Lola, but writing about it on her blog means this one has seriously dwindled over the last year too. I am a worrier and a guilt traveler (a guilt trip only works if you take that trip, right?). I am a sucker for guilt trips. If there isn't someone around to give me a guilt trip, I misread peoples comments to make it into a guilt trip (my poor fiance is so patient with me!), and when that fails, I just create my own guilt trips for myself because I am not perfect and I cannot live up to my unrealistic training expectations while working full time. There of course being the catch 22, because I can't afford the horses without working full time!
So I move on, and do what I can, and every so often I call myself out on it! So here I am again, justify (to myself) why I haven't completely ruined my horse through my neglectful behavior.
He is happy! He has two acres of pasture to play in. He's always cared for, vaccinated, wormed, and trimmed. He's gets excellent care.
He is already off to a good start. He just turned five and he has more training on him than some horses get their whole lives. By starting him early we opened up his options, I can take him trail riding, alone, with friends, or with completely new horses. I can take him to canter across the big open beach at the lake. Some horses are never under control enough to do that! He can put up with a beginner rider! Probably 10 years down the road I will be so happy that I gave him such low impact/ low stress miles in the beginning. Whatever happens to him physically later one I'm just going to blame myself for anyway! So I guess this is a blessing to have one less item of guilt later.
Its spring, and he's full of it. That's the decision I've made on the uncomfortable or naughty debate. We went for another walk last Saturday. I tacked him up and walked about 15 minutes then rode the rest. He was perfectly fine. He seemed happy, and he was relaxed. It helped that I convinced the whole entourage to come with us! My fiance came and walked our dog, my dad walked their crazy energetic German Shepherd, and my mom walked the old mare (who was THRILLED to get to come along, and was out walking my mom!). Even walking back up the big hill with me on him he seemed comfortable and no signs of head tossing as he tried to push himself and my weight up the incline.
I think the chiro work has done its job. I think Bear needs to get down to business to get this head tossing/half rears in check. I fee like this spring will give us a chance to slowing move back into working condition through trail riding, and this summer maybe we can get back into training mode. Its time I asked more of him on the flat, and this is his year to get started over fences.
He's got a bright future ahead of him. I think its ok that he's not there yet, we still have time.
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4 comments:
Just the fact that you are constantly thinking about him, spending what time you do have, and he is getting all of his health needs met is saying alot even if you have to work and can't devote all the time you want to his training! My two new guys are turned out with a young BEAUTIFUL Rocky Mountain and according to the Stable owner his owner hasn't been out to work with him or even check on him in months! It is very obvious that he desperately wants to be worked and it is also obvious that he hasn't had hardly any at all. He actually scared me in the very beginning when I would enter the pasture. He is VERY jealous and and wants to badly for me to be coming to get him and not my own 2 horses that he got VERY rough with me and has almost knocked me over a few times and has tried to even bite at me when I wouldn't give him attention. The stable owner told me he is a dumb horse and to just whip him if he bugs me but I think it is unfair to him because I honestly think he has never been taught that what he is doing is wrong and who am I to teach him right and wrong that is his owner's job and I am a "new horse person" who is still learning about horse training! I started using a spray water bottle lol when he would come full speed at me and it worked very well and he rarely needs a reminder spray from me now when I ask for my space. So I know he isn't dumb! Just very lonely and wanting very badly to be loved! I very much wish I was more of an experienced horse person, I would love to make him my own with a good trainer and patience! Even without being kept up all winter and constantly in the mud he is just stuning with beautiful movement and is always the first horse at the gate when I arrive at the stables!
Oh the poor thing... I don't understand having a horse that you never see. I think part of my guilt comes from the fact that I grew up with my horses at home. When their daily needs are 100% your responsibility you find a way to make it happen. So boarding my mare, or even having my gelding at my parents when I don't live there is tough for me. I feel like not seeing them every day is neglect!
I will never understand owning a horse that you just leave out in pasture for someone else to feed. What's the point?
Enjoy YOUR two horses! And welcome to the world of owning horses! You'll probably find you worry about your horses more than your friends think is normal, and you'll meet plenty of owners that don't share in your standard of care.
Hi! This is my first visit here and I'm a sucker for an App! Loving your blog, I'll be back!
Thanks Michelle! Yeah, I'm a sucker for other people's apps too!
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