Part of my problem is now they are the Chevelle AND Tiny Chronicles.
Anyway.
I started a new job about a month ago working for a great equine hospital in town. I have A LOT to learn. But so far so good, and I'm checking into new barns that will be closer to where I'm working now.
I watched a girl work her horse in the round pen yesterday while I was picking out the girl's paddock.
The mom and grandma were also looking on, and the grandma was mumbling something about Clinton Anderson--"Well, that's what the Horse Whisperer would do". Clinton Anderson's the Horse Whisperer, right? To be perfectly honest with you, I can't keep all those guys straight.
The horse, a big chestnut TB-looking lanky guy, was about as unhappy as a horse could be. The round pen was way too small for a horse of his build to move properly in.
She kept making all these "ARRRRHHHHH" buzzer noises every time he did something wrong, while simultaneously yelling "TROT" "WHOA" and "TROOOOTTT!!!!" She couldn't catch him (which is a feat in a 50' round pen), couldn't get him to stop, and was getting increasingly annoyed.
That horse had an expression like he wanted to kick her head in.
He didn't though. He was way too much of a saint for that.
Then, after several minutes of completely mind-numbing activity where the girl expected everything and didn't listen to a thing the horse was saying to her, I heard the grandma say, "Get him to follow you around! That's what the Horse Whisperer does."
So she tried that. She called and called him. That horse wasn't moving a muscle except to get AWAY from her. The absolute LAST PLACE ON EARTH that horse wanted to be was next to her.
It kinda made my blood boil to see.
Horses are such forgiving, amazing animals. I've made so many mistakes with training that I can't even count 'em all. But one thing I really try to be is fair, and to listen. But above everything is: being fair.
This horse was set up to fail, and he did. She didn't notice when he gave her signals that he understood and was trying to comply.
More than anything, she failed her horse.
And the worst part is, she went away from the pen thinking it was his fault.
Ugh. I'm going to have to start offering free clinics or something. I'm not an expert by any definition, but I feel like I could at least help people to notice when their horse is trying, and to reward that try in them.
Then maybe everyone could be happy.
My girls sure aren't perfect, but they are respectful, interested, and calm. They throw their noses in the halter and go towards something new bright eyed, happy, and secure.
Speaking of happy...
The girls are eating their way through a 600 pound round bale, and loving it. The free choice hay gives them something to do all day, and they could both use the extra pounds before winter hits. This was after 1 day of being on the round bale--about 100# of hay gone already! I've since removed the wrapping--it was supposed to help keep the bale together, but they took no heed of that--so we'll see what kind of devastation I'm looking at when I get out there today.
Happy Labor Day weekend to one and all! Don't forget to hug your horses :)
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