Every morning I have to go down to my barn and feed my 2 horses. Well one is actually a pony,
but he is tall, so you could consider him a small horse. Except he has a pony's mentality, The
other is a mini horse. he is smaller than a shetland pony, but he is actually a miniture horse.
With the personality of a horse.
The mini horse, his name is Leopold, and he is a real trip. I bought him 1 day after he
was born. It has always been my dream to raise a horse from baby to adult, and since he is
a mini I can push him around and not worry about how big and frisky he is feeling.
The other, my pony, his name is Lip (Little Indian Pony) because he is a paint, and has
one blue eye. The personality of a painted horse, as well as the crazy smart of a pony
combined, what a fun package.
Here is the thing I have noticed about horse owners. There are 3 kinds of people.
1
Those that don't know anything, and buy a horse, thinking they are big dogs.
2.
Thiose, that think they know everything, but treat the horses like property, and show no
sensitivity to the animals emotional well being.
3.
They treat the horses like big babies, basicly letting the horse have it's way
and not understanding why the animal doesn' t behave in a predictable way.
My love affair started with horses, when I was 11. My sister and I would sit at
the dining room table and draw horse pictures, coloring them in with crayons.
We went to a local stable and took riding lessons. English and then progressed to
jumping. There is nothing that compares to you and the horse clearing a tall
jump together Everytime I did it, I loved the feel of all that power under me, and
how together man and horse jump, land and gallop to next jump, wholly awesome.
Now, I have switched to western, and Lip and I can do poles or barrel racing together.
Which is fun, but not as thrilling as jumping. The most interesting thing is , I like
to practice slower than competiion, and Lip knows that, so he never blows all his
energy until he sees the crowd. Then when we run out, he gives it his all, I have
to murmer to him, not to fast, we will blow the turn, or miss the pole.
I never have to kick him to go, just click with my voice, and a gentle squeeze of the
legs, and he is off. It is a real misnomer to think you have to beat or hit a horse to
get it to go. Once you build a relationship with your horse, they want to please you,
and horses like to run. Although on occasion you can get a lazy horse, or maybe
he is just old, or has bad feet, or bad lungs. Some people call these plugs, the
kind that just stand there, while your kid kicks and kicks.
That is because most people under estimate the intelligence of a horse. And the
other problem, if the horse doesn't perfom the way they want, then chances are
the owner will sell the horse and buy another one, until he/she finds the perfect horse.
There is no perfect horse, just like there are no perfect people. Owning a horse involves
a relationship, just like the ones you have with your friends, and family.
Everyone has their quirks, and weirdness. Well, horses are no different.
Horses are the most superstitous animal besides humans. If you take a trail in the woods
and they see a rabbit, they will be startled and might spook on you. The next time you
take the same trail, the horse will be looking around for that same rabbit. So they
get thrown off by the stupidist things. LIke a drink can, they wil sidestep and
look at it like it is gonna get im. But I have ridden horses on a trail that didn't see a turtle
right in the trail, and would just step over it
Lip is terrified of mud puddles. Theory is, horses can't judge depth in muddy water, so they
are hesitatnt to just walk through it, but he is so afraid, that we have to walk around the edges of
the puddle, or if there is a horse in front of me that walks right through it, then he will too. He
hates creeks, so if thery are small enough he will jump them.
Lessons on the what not to do.:
Don't ever hit a horse in the head. If you are trying to get their attention a firm slap on neck will
do. If you smack them on their rump, well usually they will jump, or if you are on their back, they
may run or even buck.
Build a relationship. It kills me how when a horse is for sale, it is expected to perform for
a total stranger, be dependable and make the rider feel comfortable. A horse is not a car.
It is a living sensitive animal. probably the most emotional one of the common pets. A horse can
pick up your feelings even if you are 10 feet away. They can tell if you are nervous,
or angry, or tense. In that respect I think they are similar to dogs. Just as when you
get a new puppy, or dog, you give the dog time to get to know you and your family.
You let the relationship grow, until one day the dog is like one of the family.
Well, the horse can't live in your house, and cuddle on the bed, but they respond to
human emotion. Horses are used in therapy for troubled kids, and handicapped,
or sick. They always produce this feeling of well being, and strength. They have a program
where a prison (the inmates) break mustangs, so they can be adopted, the inmates do it
with love and respect for the animals.
If you think about how long horses have been domesticated, them and dogs and
cats, are about the only animals that can love us as much as we love them. Respect the
animal and it will respect you. To be continued..........................
Oh, as per request, this isn't my mini, but one I would play with at the stable where I
used to keep my horses. Bunny too, has moved to a new home, where he has the freedom to
run around alot.
bunny the miniture horse having a good time