No grass taking = other mischief making

We certainly don't have to worry about Max going forward.

Out on a sweltering hot hack with our four hacking buddies (two human, two equine). Our first group hack with Max in his grass reins. He was a monkey boy, but in a good way.

With his head cleared of thoughts of grazing, his next thought was causing a commotion, snatching at bottoms, snatching the lead then blocking attempts to overtake by swinging his bottom out to leave no room to pass. A swift check behind to either side to ensure that his friends could not get past, then a snort, a head nod, and off at trot, then canter, then unwillingly back to trot (rutted hard ground and concerned me looking for rabbit holes we could fall down as the ground sped past under Max's flying hooves).

The other two spooked a few times, while Max sighed at any delays.

"What gives, you pair of GIRLS! Let's go, go, go!"

He provided many comedy moments for the others, "Look at his face, the cheeky devil!" and a few hairy moments for me "My word, Max, slow down and contain yourself, sir!" but he was having fun.

He pranced and showed off, and we all remarked at how strong he has become now that he's muscled up and fit. Also, with a bit of maturity and feeling secure in himself, he displays a few dominant traits as he tries to find his place in the pecking order.

He's not terribly well mannered in company yet, simply because he's not accustomed to it, but he is getting better each time we go out, and I'm relaxing more each time too, as it's brought home to me that Max may be full of energy and strength, but at the heart of it he's still immensely sensible and there's no fear that he'll tank off with me, or throw a hissy fit.

We were out for about an hour and a half, going along some familiar tracks and some not known to us, seeking shade and softer ground.

We all came home in a lather, and at dismount I removed his grass reins and finally let him have a bit of the good stuff.

Finished with a hose bath and lavender wash to removed the grease and sweat, which included a shower for me when Max wrestled the hose away and blasted me with it.

Finally a resigned sigh from me as I turned my clean, dust and grease free boy out in his field and watched slowly walk away before his treat, then quite slowly and deliberately, lower himself to the ground to roll in the dirt, over and over. He arose covered in dust and mud where he was still damp.

A snort at me, "So there!" and then nose poked out for a kiss and the piece of liquorice he knew I had in my hand.

I tutted, but could not resist.

"That's naughty, Max."

"Heh, heh, heh. Gimme!"

Who could deny such a singular and brilliant creature his heart's desire? Not me.