Pig Poo

Re-traced our hack steps today with the Ent on foot, to show Max it's OK to be out and about on our own. He had one spin (sigh!) but other than that, was an exemplary character, and went bravely past the pigs and goat, despite the fact that they were lined up at their fence taunting him! He did have to, ahem, “lighten his load” a bit first, but managed to get past them at a fairly regal walk.

The hack from hell

Poor ol' Mr Max! We went on a lone hack today and every horse scarer in Hampshire turned out for the occasion.

We started with a human eating car. That was not nice. A Mini... bonnet up, boot up, doors open, half torso dangling out of bonnet area. Surely being devoured!

Who knew the cars parked on our lane were carnivorous? Max didn't, and he does not like the new information. I assured him cars don't eat horses, and person being devoured laughed to ease the tension, but Max remains unconvinced. I mean, surely car snatching me off his back for a meal might in fact present some danger to Max himself? It stands to reason, doesn't it?

We recovered from that, and he was going so well, and so confidently. Then we had walkers with shiny sticks (he saw the sun reflect off them when they were way back, and just about carted me off). Eventually got off him because I thought we were headed for disaster. The walkers were on a path coming towards us, but there was a hedge between their path and the field we were in, so shiny sticks appeared and disappeared…

“Phew! They’re gone. Oh no! There they are… oh… Nope, gone. ARGH! I see ‘em! It’s an ambush! Look out they… Oh. Gone. What the…? Holy Cr*p! There they are again!”

Let the walkers past, and then got back on. That’s when we met the dirt bike ridden by Rider With No Face (crash helmet).

Then we had the pig... just about coped with the pig, until the farmhouse door opened and a bunch of hollering kids spilled out. That set the goat off, who started running around bleating, which set the pig off too, and Max was a quivering wreck, completely unsure of which way to bolt, so just did the frightened Riverdance.

Got him past it, ridden!! He was so tense, but he got through it all fairly well, and big ol' click treat for being brave. But he never really settled after that, just couldn't feel him relax at all.

Then we found an abandoned dolly carriage, complete with abandoned dolly, at the side of the lane. Man, that thing was BIG scary for Max. We crept past it sideways, practically in hysterics.

Then another bunch of tumbling kids, with yapping dog. Then farmer doing something that made a metallic noise behind the hedge, then, phew! home.

For all that, he really was very good. It was like riding a ticking bomb though.

Despite being disappointed by what Max had to go through on his hack from hell, I am so proud of him, and of us. I definitely put it all down to long-lining and taking him out in hand. We've gotten to know and trust each other on the ground, and that really helped us when hell was a-poppin' all around us. He didn't like it, but he listened and he trusted me. And I didn't like it much, either, but I could stay calm because I trust him, too.

Groundwork, groundwork, groundwork! And groundwork some more.

No, I'm the boss now, 'kay?

Max is flexing his muscles again, and seeing if he can get the upper hand. Just really started at that this week, but nowhere near as ornery as he used to be. Just tries it on, and gives in pretty amiably when he sees it ain't gonna work. He does make me laugh though - I can see the mischief coming before it happens, because it's all in his eyes! I keep telling him he's too transparent to be unruly, but he hasn't taken it on board yet!

He was an absolute horror trying to long-line earlier this week, but a gem when I took the lines off and put him through all his paces loose. It was Boxing Day though, the yard was buzzing, the Ent was in the school with us, and Max had been out for 36 hours, so I think he was distracted/grumpy/wilful/totally bored with the indoor school.

The Ent had his first attempt at trying to long-line, and Max pulled him around like a tin sled!

I'm concentrating on getting him out and about until then, to shake the cobwebs, and do some hill work. The cold weather has given him some problems with his stifles, but he was getting better again today and sorting it out himself. Though he had a problem in canter yesterday, in the downward transition. He was loose, so I watched it happen, and his hind (right) just seemed to have a little collapse. He recovered nicely, but it's obviously still a niggle for him.

Today it was a long walk in hand, and he was moving beautifully after he'd worked in a bit. Really pleasant day today (with a bit of a chill), so it was nice to be out on a long wander with him.

RIP Nanny Mare

Took Max for a quick work out in the school, while S was exercising the Ginger Tart. Very pleased with Max not being distracted by The Other Horse, and took him several times over trot poles to get his legs picking up nicely. He really seems to enjoy doing that with me - thinks it's a race!

We've got a freezing fog here today. Took ages to do the yard because there was ice everywhere and had to do everything very slowly and carefully to make sure I didn't go arse over elbow!

Went up to where the deed was done and cleaned up a bit, too - wasn't asked, but didn't want YO to deal with it. There was no blood, but a last pile of droppings, and ginger fur from where poor girl was dragged to the lorry, which I got up as best I could - quite frozen, so I couldn't get all of it. Made me have a tear again, but I'm glad she's not standing in her field, all miserable, feeble and shaky in this bad weather.

The shot... I'm still hearing it. Horses can be PTS by lethal injection, but many people go for the gun because it's instant. The trouble with an injection, from what I understand, is that it's hard to get the dosage right for a large animal, so there may be delay in effect, or the horse may fall in a stupor as the drug begins to take hold, break something on the way down, and spend its last minutes suffering pain, waiting for the drug to take over and end it.

I understand about the instant thing and I have no argument with those who make that choice; I just know I couldn't. It seems far too violent an end for an old and dear friend. Would any of us contemplate having a human loved one shot? Or a dog, a cat? Bad argument, because the horse doesn't know what the gun is for, so isn't scared by it, and small critters don't pose the same dosage problems as large ones.

I still wouldn't do it though.

Don't want to think about it. Please, God, when Max and I leave this world, old and doddering, we'll be curled up in a field together, with the sun in our faces, hand over hoof, so we can just rise again, blink at each other and say, "I'm feeling good, old friend, how 'bout you? Fancy a gallop?"

Hopefully all that is a long way off for Max and me, and we have many happy years together to look forward to, before we part, temporarily, to meet again for our gallop. Concentrate on life now, while we are together and vibrant. In the moment, in each moment, we are good. Cherish that, come what may.

Was all clingy with him today, and he seemed to understand I needed to be clingy, and was tolerant and affectionate right back at me.

"I'm here! I'm not going anywhere. Rub my mouth in both your hands that way you do, and I'll give you a kiss!"

Little bugger licked my cheek today. The old softie!

When the shot happened yesterday, I was standing with V (both of us taken by surprise by what we'd stumbled across) and I burst into silent tears straight away. It is a sad thing to have a creature like that leave the world, and I can't help but react to it. Partly for Nanny herself, of course, and partly relief for her, definitely, and partly for the grief that I know is coming for me, for my friends, for what is lost, and what was gained, and the wonderful, terrible, awesome cycle of life. It's definitely worth a tear or two.

We all have to face it one day, and we know it. With our pets, with our loved ones, and ourselves - that shot told me all of that, and also reminded me of what has already gone, and how important each day is, that we get to be in this wonderful world, with the people that we love, and laugh, and talk about stuff with, and take it all in, and be struck by the beauty and poignancy of our little flash of time together.

That isn't meant to be maudlin. I'm not feeling maudlin... Introspective, for sure, but Nanny Mare’s Christmas present to me has been to put me in the moment and breathe it in, give it life, give it warmth, give it love. Give it tons of respect, for a magnificent, unique creature has left this world, and she deserves all of that, as she reminds me, with her kind brown eyes that hadn't aged a bit, to send it out to there to those who are still here to be loved and respected.

And that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

No words

Having a bit of a dozy day. It was a pretty bad day, actually. Our Nanny Mare was PTS this morning. Well, totally by accident, I was there when it happened.

Still feeling pretty low about it... Had to go give my boy a big hug and have a cry with him.

The devil makes work for idle teeth

Poor ol' Maximus! Very stiff back leg today. He kept thumping it on the ground, like you do when your foot has gone to sleep and you're trying to shake it off. He was OK after I took him round the school a bit, and he was a brilliant boy, going through his paces with me. Had a really good roll, too, over three times (the boy has no problem with his back!) which was good to see.

Also, cleaning his undercarriage today, which is finally going well because of the hot water and soft cloth, I discovered he has a few sores on the underside of his sheath. Quite ouchy for him, so I'm glad I didn't put any salt in the water. I'll have to keep an eye on it - I think it's kinda like nappy rash.

Covered him in aloe vera and will just make a real effort over the next while to do that every day and see how he goes. Not looking weepy or anything, and thank god no flies around to irritate or cause infection. So glad he allows me to do a more thorough cleaning job now, or I might not have caught this quickly enough. He still no likey, but he's a lot more patient

He also got led out by our farrier to baby-sit while his field-mate was shod. J is very scared of having his feet done, but stays calm and stands still if Max is with him. Max doesn't give a stuff. Managed to untie himself and go off and maraud through horse rugs he had no business rummaging, picking them up in his teeth and dumping them on the ground until farrier caught him and tied him up again.

"Bored now! Mischief making! Mwuh ha ha!"

I am still so amazed at the turn around I've had with him these past few weeks. He's so co-operative and really seems to relish what we're doing together. It's such a joy to see, and so much fun for both of us. Lots of laughing, lots of Max being playful, but in an eager way, not disruptive. And me, so calm and steady, coaxing and keeping my voice low - he responds so well to that!

I know we'll have a backslide- I absolutely know that, but I'm trying to concentrate on this upswing, and remember, when we do slide back, how far we've come, and how far we'll go when we get over the next challenge.

What an amazing little horse I have! Such a brave and generous heart. He continues to be my absolute delight!

I've said that before, haven't I? Boring, I am. Broken record. Horrendous mum you try to get away from at cocktail parties "My child is super intelligent. My child is uber talented. Blah, blah, blah..."

"Hmmm..." fixed smile on face. "Where's that drinks tray?"

All at sea

Man, I've got bad vertigo today... Yard work was torture, and I actually fell over in Max's box trying to get his rug off. I was bent down to undo the belly clasps, and I just lost it and fell over in the straw.

"Ahem. My bed, mum. No sharesies. Oh… Oh! Are you OK? Shall I breathe on you and ruffle up your hair with my whiskery lips? There! Polo?"

Needless to say, no work with Max today - didn't feel I'd be safe for him, even to just go for a walk. Certainly no riding, and no way watching him go round me in a circle in the school. Just bloomin' good grooming session and hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Sammie's mum comes to visit

We went over to visit Max in his field this afternoon before taking ourselves off for lunch at mine. Max frisked Sammie's mum for pony nuts in a friendly way. She said he looks a lot darker in his winter coat. I think his winter coat does come in a bit darker than his summer one, but I don't notice so much because I'm with him every day.

He was Mr Love Bug today, just wanted affection and attention, bless his perfect wee hooves.

Nothing puts a smile on my face like that first look at Max in the morning. He is absolutely my delight, he is the throne of my joy, that horse. That horse I've dreamed of all my life, and suddenly here he is, big as life and twice as lovely. One look at him washes everything out of my head and just makes me smile. Can there really be anything wrong with that?

Do I love him above all other things in this world? No, I love him equally to the other important things in this world. But maybe, just maybe, nothing else can touch the delight I have in him. Maybe nobody else can quite get to the spot, that little hole in my psyche that Max fills. That is our special place, and I can't explain it, I can't justify it, and I certainly won't apologise for it. It just is what it is.

Max has just been for walks in hand this past weekend. Really quite disturbing stifle lock on Saturday morning for the first time in ages. Didn't bother him at all, but as I said, just recently he seemed to be getting a handle on it, so to see him in full lock again was disappointing. The Ent was there so he could finally see what it looks like, and he was quite horrified. It does look pretty dramatic when it happens, though Max and I are getting pretty used to it, by now.

I expect the cold weather has probably just stiffened him up a bit, and he was fine as soon as he started walking out, but no way did I want him to carry me on his back to compound things, especially with the ground being what it is just now.

So it was Ent and I walking him Saturday, between my morning and afternoon shifts at the yard, and Sunday, total BLISS, Max and I out on our own. Loved it! Very forward going Max, full of mischief, but just playful, not naughty. We had such a nice time and didn't bump into another soul!

He had one unfortunate trip on bumpy ground, and whilst recovering himself managed to stamp on my foot. Thank goodness for reinforced toes! Big dent in my Mountain Horse jod boots, and I had to walk back to the yard with it all squashed in like that, until I could find a good spot to take the boot off and push the toe back out again.

Rubbed some witch hazel/arnica gel into Max’s stifles when we got home. He was a little better today, and is sorting out lifting his hooves nicely again. Poor bug. I don't like that he has the problem, but I do like that we seem to be coping with it OK.

My Bay City Roller

Max is in his tartan rug with the neck hood now. I switched him over on Friday. Too cold! Well, I was too cold, therefore my pony needs to wrap up toasty warm.

Funny day, Friday, because it started out mild, and it was still above zero, but there was just something about the air. A bit foggy, a bit of an icy chill, and that was at 1.00 in the afternoon. So no way did I want him out in just his cardigan when the sun went down.

It has warmed up a little since then, but the night's are still cold, and I sleep better knowing he's bundled up. He's ripped one of the clasps on the neck attachment today, though. I think I can fix it myself. Little rug destroyer

Jingle, jingle, jingle...

That will be Max tomorrow. I bought him three little bells from the pet shop (the kind you'd put on a cat's collar) and will attach two to his bridle, and one to the back of his saddle, where I have a D-ring. I anticipate he won’t give a flyin’.

Had to get up early on my "sleep in" day to take the Ent to the train station. He had a meeting in London first thing, then his company Christmas lunch, and I told him I'd drive and pick him up so he can have a drink if he wants to. He'll probably only have one pint anyway but it's nice to know he can have TWO if he fancies it.

So, since I was up and out anyway, I went straight to the yard, and shocked Max by having him tacked up and in the school by about quarter past eight!

We did a good 40 minutes of schooling. Riding in the school is our weakest thing, at the moment, no question. Mostly down to me, I think, just not being balanced enough, or clear enough, but it's getting a little better each time. Lots of concentrating for both of us, and Max, bless him, having such a good go at trying to canter! We got a few strides.

Compound young horse and stifle lock with me not being as finely balanced on his back as I should be, and he's got a lot of stuff to contend with trying to canter. He seems to want to, though. Gets fed up with the trotting, gives his head a shake and I say, "Go on Max, try" and he puts in a stride or two, then back to a jog.

Anyway, we're better at that (as a team) on the left rein, and I actually seem to get a few strides where it feels "right" (can't describe it any other way) and Max suddenly feels... different. Like we've been on quite a firm contact and suddenly there is a slackness in the reins because he's kind of tucked himself up into me.

Hmm... I'm not describing that very well. It goes all smooth though, and a couple of times I had to check to see if he was still trotting because it felt more like walking. But it wasn't. Can't maintain it for very long though... and certainly can only get a few strides at a time on the right rein before it all gets a bit jarring.

We had fun though, and I laughed at him quite a bit. When he's losing his concentration, he starts to get a bit bolshy and wants his own way. It's like a mini-hissy fit, but with no malice, just "No! Let's do what I say now!".

Gave him lots of breaks to stretch his neck down low, and he got lots of treats for good work, so he was a happy boy.

Long grooming session when we were done, including the warm cloth of the undercarriage, then off to the post office for me, for last of the international post before settling in back home for a crafty kip curled up with my lovely old cat.

Day off from Mr Sleepy Head

Very sleepy pony, so I think he appreciated it. Long and difficult day at the yard, everything frozen. Just too tired to do him justice, and icy surfaces out and about, so not tempting for a wander.

We just had a nuzzle and a chat, and that was it. Along with everything else, Max has also just recently become a lot more tolerant of physical displays of affection. Tomorrow is our big day for doing stuff. A long grooming session, including hands-on nether washing, and either a long walk out on our own, or some ridden work in the school.

H has been telling me to pat myself on the back for the good work coming from Max these days, but I find it very hard to do. I think I'm about the same, but Max has improved so much that he gets what's required despite me, not because of me. I still feel totally fumbly, but I do know, logically, that that can't be the case or we'd still be spinning our wheels and I'd still be getting freaked out by criticism.

So H must be right, I just... find it difficult. But no, even a month ago I would not have dreamed of lining Max out of the school. So something has changed, and part of the change must be my level of confidence. Or something. And if I'm more confident myself, Max is bound to feel more confident in me, and in himself, too.

I know we'll have another knock-back sooner or later, but it won't be as far back as the last one, and we'll recover again and take another couple of steps forward. I just loved yesterday, everybody watching, and nobody able to make any suggestions about what I should be doing differently because we were getting along just fine with no advice! Way to go, Max & me!

Max's beautiful bum...

... swaying in front of me as I long-lined him out of the school, through all the gates (waiting patiently for me to open and shut) and back into his box, past on-lookers, like a total pro!

Gosh, I love that boy of mine. Looked like he'd been doing it for years! Completely unfazed, completely confident!

So yes, we long-lined today, and pretty much did a repeat of what we did yesterday (really sharp transitions) only on the lines rather than loose.

We did a bit of work on smaller circles too, and we're still a little shambolic on that, at trot, so I just get a couple of good turns and take him back big again. Seems the best way to do it at the moment, so we don't end up in a tangle, and I can get the confused look out of Max's eyes. We can just build on that a little at a time until we look like pros at that, too!

He really did me proud today, especially with an audience.

I'd like to think that I've found some confidence within and that's what the change is, but I'm not sure I can... well, I am confident in Max, and in our growing ability to communicate. But a lot is also down to Max maturing, I think. He seems a lot more willing to work in the school than he used to. He just gets down to it, and today, he would have kept going (he tried to!) if I hadn't told him we were done.

Pleased as punch...

...with my little monkey man! Weather was against me for taking him out, so I decided on some ground work with his training head collar in the school.

Just worked him in at smart walk for five circles of the school in each direction, with a bit of turning to keep his mind busy, and then took him off the lead rope and did loose work, shoulder to shoulder, on really quick transitions stand/walk/trot back to walk.

He got click treats for quick responses, and when he didn't listen, he got nothing. I'd go collect him from where he stopped, saying nothing, not looking at him, take him back to where he went wayward and try again.

Well, he caught on pretty quickly as to what was being asked and what got a click, and he was so good! Really fast reply to my voice, managing to stay straight on the track rather than ambling in. A small triumph, I know, but I was really chuffed with him, and he got lots of hugs and pats, and enthusiastic praise (which he seems to enjoy almost as much as his pony nut).

I then did a little bit of canter work just to stretch him out and see how he was moving. We still lose direction completely on canter because I can't stay beside him to push him out, but that will come in time, and I'm not worried about it for now.

He had a little bit of trouble cantering on the right rein (that really does seem to be his tough one), but we got there in the end, and managed a nice canter right down the side of the school.

Gathered him up, gave him a final pat, and then said, "Your time now, Max" and walked away from him to sit on the bench and watch. He followed me for a bit, and then, just as I'd hoped, he had a good roll, a dusty shake, and ambled over to where I sat, nudged my boot, and we were done.

I had some success with his undercarriage today, too. I noticed yesterday that he was getting fairly crusty in the corners (euw!), but the sponge wasn't doing it, and neither were the sheath wipes which I bought as a kind of "in-between" mild cleaning session to keep him going without quite so much fuss.

Needless to say, I had my worry hat on, and decided that I'd try a soft cloth instead. Bought that yesterday, and had a go today with warm water. Really effective! I got all the gunk out and Max barely fussed at all. I think perhaps because I had a better "feel" (ick, I know!) and the cloth was warm and not so intrusive, Max was more tolerant. Gave me time to have a proper look round, too, and make sure I got everything clean as a whistle.

Whatever makes it easier for Max, though, which also necessarily makes it easier for me as a by-product.

I've given up wearing gloves to clean him. I just have a more sensitive feel to it if I'm bare handed, and though it's a bit icky, it's much more effective. I go wash my hands straight away, and I've got some anti-bacterial gel that I put on my hands afterwards, so I'm not a danger to polite society. Besides, how is it any worse than changing a nappy? Which is also icky, as it happens, but nobody flips out if you don’t put latex gloves on before you dive in!

I don't know what it is about the gloves, but it's definitely different. Partly Max reacts when he sees me put them on, but mostly I can't get enough of a sense of where he's in trouble through latex, and I really don't want any trouble to brew in his nethers.

One of my friends was saying the other night that she thinks I should just go for the op, and give Max a more natural life and save us both the aggravation.

It is so tempting, and it is something I'm going to talk to a veterinary surgeon about, but I'm just not sure. I wish I could talk to others with the same problem (if I could find any).

My first vet said the op would be painful, long recovery period, and no guarantee that it would "take". They'd have to cut into that ring of muscle and make it looser so he could drop, but would he be able to control it? Would he drop and not be able to lift back up again? Would we go through it all for no change at all?

Have also had a surprise benefit of clicker training and Max's stifle lock. He seems to be working out how to manage it. It could just be he's growing out of it, I suppose, but there's definitely been a change.

He still locks on pivot in his box, or backing up, occasionally, but I used to see the lock most often when I was trying to pick, out his hind feet.

So, I started working on a click treat for each foot nicely lifted and held for me without struggling. I'd wait and try again if he was locked, but always the click treat after each hoof.

He seems to have worked out how to unlock his back legs for this. He has a little pause now, before trying to lift the hoof, does a little shift, and then tentatively puts the foot into a "rest" position, from where I can pick it up and hold it. I jiggle it up and down and tell him to relax, and he just "gives" it to me then, and lets me get on with it.

We were having a struggle with picking up feet, I think because he found it a bit uncomfy, but now all I have to do is tap his leg and say "up!" and he obliges. Not always instantly, but the pause is always to sort himself out, and I'm happy to wait for that. He's a clever boy, and very willing once he's worked out what is required (and of course that he gets his click for it!).

Sigh...

Pretty good day, today. Grey and drizzly, so I took Max into the school for some long-lining. He is coming along so well, and I'm delighted with him!

He really does seem to have turned a corner and is picking things up really well. I'm sure it's a plateau, and we'll dip again, but for each step back, we're taking a couple forward, and that's encouraging. He still gets confused now and again, but we've definitely moved up a gear in our training.

When I see him get the stressy look, I stop him and we have a chat. Maybe that's a bit silly and anthropomorphic, but it feels like the right thing to do. Just reel him in, tell him he's doing brilliantly well and there's nothing to worry about, and then we go on calmly at walk again for a bit and go through the stuff he knows well. I just don't want him to feel that learning is stressful or that he's doing anything "wrong". I want him to trust that I'm with him every step, and if it's too much, we'll take it down a notch. I'm learning too, so I don't mind going slow so we can both get it right. A few strides of right is all we need just now.

Am going to have to work something out as a Max thing or a me thing. On the right rein on a large circle (using the whole school), he's started turning his head slightly towards the wall as we go along. I'm not sure if this is Max having trouble with something, or whether it's me perhaps being too firm on my left rein... He used to cut in on the right rein, so maybe I'm over correcting him? It doesn't feel like I am putting too much pressure on that rein, but perhaps I am, so I'm going to keep an eye on it and assess as we go.

Doesn't stop him going forward at all. He does more head tossing on that rein, too, but nowhere near as much as he once did. Today when I tried to ease pressure when his head was turning to the left, he immediately tried to cut in to the right... Something is going on there, but I haven't quite worked it out yet.

For the moment, when he does that stuff, I just gather him and set him straight again, no praise, no treat, but no drama either. When he starts getting it right, the praise and clicks come.
Took him off the lines to have a canter on both reins (can't do that with the lines yet, although I daresay Helen might be able to coax that out of him now, and I'd love her to have a go), and then clipped him back up to finish with a bit more trot work.

I long-lined him out of the school - only the second time I've done it. I usually lead him back. He was tempted by the grass outside the school door, but I told him to keep his head up, turn and stand so I could close the door, which he did, perfectly well behaved, then got him going down the path back towards his box.

He was really so co-operative and I was so proud of him!

As an aside, I had one of those moments, yesterday, in Max's box. I went in, as I always do, day to day life, ho hum, this is what I do with my horse. I was standing there, and my little man was tucked into my chest while I scratched his forehead, and I had this sudden, "This is my horse!" moment. Like I couldn't believe I was so lucky, like I couldn't quite comprehend that my dream had come true, and this living, breathing, spectacular creature was actually my responsibility, my horse, my best friend. Like I was seeing him for the first time. I got all overwhelmed by it, and a bit scared by it, too, I have to admit.

"How did you get here, Max?" I asked him.

"You called me, and I came," seemed to be the reply.

Ah, I knew that boy was mine the second I clapped eyes on him. Before I knew he ever could actually be mine.

Where's my hooligan?

Today was a busy day , and I left the yard to go do a bit of shopping.

Came back to the yard hoping to do something with Max in the school. Sadly, the school was about to be used, and the weather was threatening again, so we just had a short walk out in hand. He was very good, though a little hesitant because the wind was still up. I think the wind makes the world a whole different place for the critters. Max wasn't scared, exactly, but he was certainly alert.

He really seems to be listening to me these days, and responding quite well. Like somebody switched my pony for a co-operative one. I guess it's partly all the work and patience finally starting to pay off a bit, and it could also be another phase, to be followed by yet more stroppy hooliganism in the future.

Enjoy it while I have it, I guess!

Herd instinct

The weather today was absolutely dreadful! I didn't do anything with Max on Saturday because it's my long shift on the yard and I’m just too knackered. We had a long grooming session, and also a bit of clicker training in his box, but nothing else.

Today there was just no way I was taking him out in that, even into the school. He'd never have been able to concentrate with all that commotion!

I spent about an hour in his box with him, and I was really glad I was there, because he actually got scared by the weather. Howling wind, lashing rain, and then the eaves trough right in front of his box door started gushing a torrent of water.

I was at the back of his box with my latest purchase, a "bucket organiser". Sad and slightly anal, I know, but it's this thing that fits over a bucket, and has pockets and places to put stuff, so rather than a jumble of stuff in his wash bucket, I've now got everything arranged neatly where I can see it.

Anyway, there I was organising, and suddenly Max came dashing back to me, tucked his head behind my shoulder and looked very warily out of his door. Poor thing didn't quite know what to make of it all, but decided it was best off to be at the back near me. I stood and said nothing, just stroked his withers until he relaxed again. But I was so glad I was there. I know it's just herd instinct, but I'm his herd!