Redheadlins Blog Hop: HR Complaints

How about an excellent filler post until I can get around to actually writing the 3 awesome posts I have floating around in my head.

From Redheadlins

"If your horse was your co-worker what kind of reports would you have to make to the HR department?"

Complaint:  Max ate everyone's food in the fridge and he's not even sorry about it. Yes, I know it was him. He didn't try to hide it at all.

Complaint: He constantly tries to get out of doing actual work.  We are supposed to be working together but I constantly feel like I have to nag  him to get something done.

Complaint:  Naps in the middle of the day. (not really a complaint, but it would be amusing to have a coworker who blatantly napped at 2pm each day.

Max tries to get out of work unless there is food involved.

TRM Blog Hop: 25 Questions

Yay for filler posts. This one comes from That Red Mare

1. Mares or Geldings? Why?
Either. Most of the mares I have met have been fairly even tempered. But I've also met some moody geldings. It all depends on the individual

2. Green-broke or Fully Broke?
Right now, I much prefer fully broke. I don't so much mind a horse that needs some refreshers, but he needs to have a good head.

3. Would you own a "hotter" breed (ie. Arabian, Trakhener, etc).
Probably not. I prefer my drafty types.

4. What was your "dream horse" growing up?
Palominos. Then I grew to love the chestnut with flaxen mane.  Haflingers for the win!

5. What kind of bit(s) do you use and why?
Max just goes in a double jointed eggbutt with copper lozenge. I've read that the double joints can be a bit better for haflingers that tend to have low palates. I would like to try others, but just don't have the time or money right now to be buying them.

Just add some copper.

6. Helmets or no helmets?
Helmet.

7. Favorite horse color?
A nice golden palomino or chestnut (with flaxen manes)

8. Least favorite horse color?
Plain brown, or black. Black seems to attract more bugs in summer.

9. Dressage or Jumping?
Right now I don't really do either, but I could see myself enjoying jumping more.

10. How many years have you been riding?
On and off for about 10.

11. Spurs/whip or no spurs/whip?
No spurs. Occasionally I ride with a crop. Half the time it's because I want to work on something specific that requires extra reach. The other times it's used to flick flies off his ears.

12. Your first fall?
I was riding bareback and was trying to mount from the ground. I managed to lay across her back, but swung my leg over too hard and flipped over onto the ground. Pony just gave me a look and started grazing.

13. When was the last time you rode and what did you do?
It's been a few weeks. We just puttered around the paddock bareback and went over the teeter totter. I think we worked on some leg yielding too

The yak is here, the snow is coming sooner than I like.

14. Most expensive piece of tack you own?

My western saddle simply because I bought it new.

15. How old were you when you started riding?
Not any real riding until I was in my early 20s

16. Leather or Nylon halters?
Nylon. It's easier to care for I guess.

17. Leather or Synthetic saddles?
Synthetic. I'm lazy and don't show. I also don't want to worry about getting the saddle wet when out on a trail ride.
 18. What "grip" of reins do you like?
Webbed or something else synthetic. I have some cotton reins I really like.

19. English or Western?
I lesson in english, but prefer a western saddle for trail riding (for the most part, that's another post altogether I think). I would also like to learn how to properly ride western.

20. How many horses do you currently own/lease?
Just Max

21. Do you board your horse? Self-care/full board? Home board?
Max is kept at home, so his care is 100% up to me.

22. Have you ever had to put down a horse that you loved?
I haven't had to put one of my own down yet. Several I have known have passed away.

23. How many saddlepads do you have?
One western pad and I might still have an english pad if the mice haven't eaten it yet.

24. Slant-load trailer or straight haul?
I have a slant load and like the way it loads better.

25. Why do you ride?
It makes me a happier person. It still amazes me that we can form this kind of partnership with an animal.

TMM Blog Hop:Bit of Luck

An interesting blog hop from The Moody Mare

I think that we all have those tried and true bits in our collection while others we just steer clear of.  Are there any bits that work like magic for your horse?

I've only ridden Max in a double jointed snaffle.  His current one is an eggbutt with a copper lozenge.

Like this, only with a copper lozenge.

 I had read that Haflingers tend to have lower palates than your average horse, so I went with a double jointed. I wanted to keep it as mild as possible. The copper provides something a little tastey that he could play with.

That being said, I'm not sure how much he likes it.  We go well enough, but he can get bull headed and try to push through it or ignore me. I've been wanting to try other bits, but I'm not sure what. Plus, time and money are at a premium at the moment.

I've been considering a baucher, some sort of happy mouth bit, or an elevator. I like the idea of the elevator simply because you can adjust where the reins attach and use it as a simple snaffle, or use the curb action.

I feel like I have good, steady hands and don't lean on his mouth for balance. But he has his moments when he decides to grab for grass and yanks me down with him. Those Haflinger muscles are no match for me.

Any advice?

TOABH: I'm A Loser, Baby

Since I started this blog at the beginning of the year, I ended up missing several of Beka's blog hops. I'm going to go back through and post the rest of them over the next few weeks. They're a lot of fun and make me think about some things I probably wouldn't have thought of before.

This is the last one, then I'm caught up!  Thanks Beka, for all the great hops.

I'm A Loser, Baby

Let's talk about your horse's biggest fail.  What did Thunderhooves do that embarrassed you, scared you, shocked you or just annoyed the hell out of you?

Hands down, Max's spinning and bolting is the scariest thing he has done.  It probably doesn't help that this mostly happens when I'm riding bareback and the spin throws me off. I think he knows this now, and this is why he tends to try that shit when there's no saddle.  Bad pony!  

TOABH: Shining Star

Since I started this blog at the beginning of the year, I ended up missing several of Beka's blog hops. I'm going to go back through and post the rest of them over the next few weeks. They're a lot of fun and make me think about some things I probably wouldn't have thought of before.

Shining Star

Let's talk about the biggest achievements your horse has accomplished.  I'm not talking about you as a rider - I want to know what your ponykins has done to make you proud.  Is there a glorious satin collection, did he/she figure out some dressage movement that took months to learn, or are is it just a great day when your butt stays in the saddle?  

I think the end of the last sentence sums up my answer.  We haven't had so many problems now that I'm riding in a saddle. I can stick better.  Something else recent that has made me proud is his side passing under saddle. He goes really well to the right. Not so much to the left yet.  We've also been learning some tricks. He is picking those up very quickly. Smart boy.

TOABH: Making of the Horse

Since I started this blog at the beginning of the year, I ended up missing several of Beka's blog hops. I'm going to go back through and post the rest of them over the next few weeks. They're a lot of fun and make me think about some things I probably wouldn't have thought of before.

From The Owls Approve

Making of the Horse

Last week, we talked about our babies.  This week, let's talk about our greenies.  Who trained your horse?  Is your ponykins still in the process of figuring out this whole monkey-on-my-back thing, did you send off for thirty or sixty or ninety days, or did you buy a horse with all the bells and whistles?  Who has helped your horse become what he or she is today?

Simply put, I don't know. Max had several owners before me.  He seems to know quite a bit, but was rusty on everything when I got him. Plus, he has the intelligence that is characteristic of the breed.  So he can really take advantage of the person if they let him.

Intelligence + stubbornness + a bottomless pit of a stomach

FCEBH: Fav Ribbon/Prize/Award

It looks like 'Fraidy Cat Eventing is taking a stab at blog hopping.  Today, the question is:

What is your favorite ribbon / prize / award that you've won in relation to horses? Is there a story behind it? Or was it a bucket list prize you'd been chasing for ages? It doesn't have to be from a traditional horse show, and ribbons that are the favorite bc they are the prettiest are just as awesome as awards with a great story.

I don't show Max or any other horse yet.  So no prizes. Really, the only horse related award I received was Volunteer of the Year for 2013 for my work at a therapeutic riding center. There were actually 2 of us who won, because we both rock!

The crowns that Max and Cinderella are wearing were part of our award package. The other person who won let me borrow hers so I could do this.  It was highly amusing.

TOABH: History of the Horse

Since I started this blog at the beginning of the year, I ended up missing several of Beka's blog hops. I'm going to go back through and post the rest of them over the next few weeks. They're a lot of fun and make me think about some things I probably wouldn't have thought of before.

Going back to the very beginning at The Owls Approve:

History of the Horse

Before you met, where was your horse?  Who bred him/her?  What do you know about his sire and his dam?  What do you know where he came from?  Tell me about the time before he had a trainer.

Showing off our 'new' tack shortly after I got him.

Max was bred and born in Illinois.  According to his papers, he was sold twice, however, there were at least two more owners who aren't listed that I know of.  I do know he came to a local lesson program and was sold to a former adult student about a year before he became mine.  In searching his registered name, he pops up on an Illinois State Fair results website as being shown in a halter class. I'm guessing he was also taught to drive since the owner listed is was also in a bunch of driving classes. However, they don't list all the horses names for those.  In the year before I got him, he was pretty much a pasture puff. The previous owner said the riding program didn't use him very much either.

Max comes from the 'M' line of haflingers.  His great-grand sire is Midas Touch NTF.  I believe the M line tends to be somewhere in between the drafty types and the sporty types of haflingers. They make good driving ponies.

TOABH: 18 on the 18th

Happy birthday Archie!

Eighteen on the Eighteenth.

In honor of Archie's 18th birthday, tell me 18 things you love about your horse*.

 

1. His good nature

2. His intellegence

3. That he is low to the ground

4. That he can be goofy

Goofy boy!

 

5. His colors

6. That he loves food

7. That he calls for me whenever he sees me

8. His little pigeon-toed front feet - they're adorable

My brave pigeon-toed pony. Yes, we went through the bridge.

9. He can be very brave

10. He is easy to catch

11. He has a great walk to woah

12. That he loves his afternoon naps with Cinderella

 

"Oh, hi there. Are you bringing me some food?" *gets up to investigate*

 

 

13. His curiosity

14. He puts up with my shenanigans

 

Saturday, we became chicken feed

15. That he stays relatively clean compared to some horses

16. That he has a lot to teach me

17. That he keeps me on my toes

18. That he is mine, all mine

I loved this blog hop! Thanks Beka! I'm thinking about going back and posting the ones from last year that I missed. 

On another note, I start my lessons again on Monday. Won't be riding Max, but we have a new therapy horse I'm excited to ride. Lessons on her will do us both good. 

And finally, I think I want to cry.  Such lovely, warm weather, but storms and more storms. Tis the season for tornado anxiety....

 

SFTS BH: Happy Place & Riding

  I really liked this question from Stories From The Saddle. 
 

What barn and/or horse chores put you in your happy place?

For some of us, it's the feeling of methodically and meticulously cleaning tack. For others, it's the repetition of braiding a mane. For others, it's the quiet moments of filling the water buckets or sweeping the barn aisle after everyone has left for the night. 

 Hands down, feeding. Specifically the evening feed. I love that Max calls out when he sees me (for food) and that he gets so excited to get his grain and hay. At least when I'm not planning on riding.I love the sound of them munching quietly on their hay.  In the morning, I usually just toss hay and run off to work, but in the evening, I usually have time to relax a little.  

I also really enjoy organizing things in the barn.  I get to do that again soon, since I will be putting winter equipment away and bringing out the summer stuff. I also need to put up more shelves and get through my pile of stuff that still needs a spot.  

Bikes can sometimes be scarey. At least he has his ears up for once.

In other news, I rode Tuesday and Wednesday this week, though they were short. Thursday it stormed all day and evening, and looks like it will rain most of Friday too. Yuck.

It looks like our neighbor's son will be building a house soon just to our north. For whatever reason, Max has been very concerned about the goings on up that way this week.  Tuesday, they were out pounding in poles to mark the corners.  Even though there wasn't any noise while we were riding, Max spooked and I came off again.  This time he just spun and walked off.  I was kind of mad because there was no reason for him to do that. I hopped back on and we worked on some leg yielding and called it a day. Note to self, quit being lazy and put on a damned saddle.

Wednesday, I got off work early since it was beautiful and I have to come in on Saturday (yay science!). Well, I lay down on the couch for a few minutes and woke up several hours later.  Ooops. So much for enjoying the beautiful day. By the time I got done with chores it was starting to get dark. I decided to enjoy the pony before the rain and cold came back, so I hopped on bareback (again...) and we plodded around the paddock instead of the pasture.  He was still being all looky to the north. Neighbors must have been out doing stuff during the day. He did good though. We did some trotting on the compact uneven ground and he didn't trip at all. Yay for ponies picking up their feet.  He didn't spook when my husband went riding by on his bike either. Or when I walked him by my bike coming back into the barn.   

TOABH: Introspection

Another great blog hop from Beka at The Owls Approve:

 

Introspection

What would your horse change about you?

 

The simple answer is that he would prefer that I rarely ride and leave him out on pasture 24/7 with free access to grain and treats. 

I is good boy, now give me treats :)

 

Otherwise, I think he'd prefer I pay more attention to his moods and not pick fights when he clearly wants dinner, or is in spooky mode.  I think he would like to try some jumping, I just haven't had the chance or the guts to try him over a cross rail yet. Though, right now the ground is probably ideal...not too hard, not too soft.

He'd also want me to do more clicker training, because he would get more treats.

TOABH: Metamorphosis

This week blog hop from The Owls Approve

We've talked about what your horse doesn't like to do, and I don't want to confuse this with that.  I'm not talking about personality quirks or training foibles.  Tell me:  if you could change something (or things) about your horse, what would you?

This is an easy one. I would change how Max spooks.  Even the most bombproof horse will spook at something, be it a horse fly biting sensitive areas, a tree falling (been there, done that...twice), to anything else unexpected.  How the horse spooks matters.  Unfortunately, Max tends to bolt and this scares me. I would much rather he spook in place, or just do one of those jumps to the side and stand still rather than taking off.

"Gunfire didn't bother me Saturday. I was a good boy!"

I'd also change his size.  I love me some draft horse and his 13.1h height is a bit on the short size.  I'd like some more drafty bone on him.  Those drafty looking Haflingers are beautiful.

But in the end, I do love what I have. He definitely keeps me on my toes and is teaching me a lot.

TOABH: Defining the Relationship

Defining the Relationship from The Owls Approve

Snookum-ukums, where do you see this going?  

Let's be realistic.  What's the plan with your pony?  Is it a five-year investment with a return, is it until you move up beyond the Kin's abilities, or is it forever?

 

My plan for Max is to turn him into a trail pony.  I might take him to some local show or competitions for fun, but it probably won't be often. 

Unless a horse is clearly not compatible with me or trail riding, they will have a forever home with me.  Or, I suppose, if something terrible happens and we are no longer able to afford them. Then I would do everything in my power to make sure they will have a good home.

Shaggy pony says. "Why'd you stop grooming? It felt good!"

TOABH: Fail

From The Owls Approve: 

 

Fail.

We know what makes Thunderhooves happy, but what does he hate to do?  Let's not ignore those times that you have whip out all the tricks or pharmaceuticals for grooming.

 

What does Max hate to do?  Work, be taken away from food, eat breakfast or dinner late, or just anything that doesn't involve food.  

Sometimes I seriously question whether the boy enjoys doing anything except eat.

Max doesn't like the hay hoop, but loves his hay.

TOABH: Ermahgerd

It's week 13 of Beka's blog hop series at The Owls Approve.

What is your pony's absolute favorite riding activity?  What makes those little ears perk and causes the knees to lift?  Let's just focus on the favorites - we'll save the bucks for next week.

Honestly, Max's favorite part of riding is probably the mounting block, for dismounting that is.  He's not really barn sour, but if you let him, he will take you back to the mounting block.  Subtlety is not his thing.

He goes to the mounting bucket on his own.

I still haven't figure out what he truly enjoys doing.  I do think he might enjoy jumping but I'm not really a jumper.  He's very willing to jump and has done it to avoid the tiny muddy "ditch" out back. He has also jumped a few things while on a lunge line. There was the mounting block when I wasn't paying attention, several ground poles that he should have trotted over, and a small cross rail just to see what he did.

He will also go to the stall doors at dinner time. Not a subtle pony.

TOABH: Costly

From Beka at The Owls Approve:

What has been your horse's most expensive injury to date? Let's exclude maintenance things, like hock injections and the magical monthly package of MSM. What single episode blew your savings or left you boiling ramen? If you want to get technical about it, time is money, too. 

Thankfully, other than routine vaccines, Max has only seen the vet once for an emergency type situation since I've had him.  Last winter (on one of the coldest days) he coliced. That vet bill was just under $300 I believe.

The dirty pony decided to stay out in the snow Saturday morning.

TOABH: A Rose

This week's blog hop from The Owls Approve

 

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

Every horse seems to have at least three names:  the "real" one, the barn one, and that special one.  What are some of your pony's names?

 

Goat Beard

 

 

Max doesn't have a show name, so registered name it is.

 

Registered Name: Melvis RDP

Barn Name: Max

Nicknames: 

• Fat Boy
• Pony (Pony Boy, Golden Pony)
• Shit Head
• Brat 
• Maximus
• Droolie Boy
• Fuzz Butt
• The Yak

TOABH: Idiosyncrasies

This week's blog hop from The Owls Approve.

Idiosyncrasies.

What personality quirks does your pony have?  What makes him or her special?

 

 Where do I begin?  Most of Max's idiosyncrasies revolve around food.  First, whenever I come home, he meets me at the corner of his paddock and gives me "the stare".

 

The stare

Then he will whinny when I actually get out of my car, or come out of the house, or even open the house door to let the dog out. Or when someone else pulls up and gets out of their car, or any other time he thinks he will get food.  He loves his food. 

While I'm getting food ready, he paces. In and out of the stall, then a quick loop around the paddock and back to the stall. He learned very quickly that he has to move away before I'll dump the grain in his bucket.  He knows to stand outside his stall until I have the hay bags hung.  Smart boy. 

TOABH: Self-Actualized

Another great blog hop from The Owls Approve!

Assuming that your horse has absolutely everything he needs (food, bedding, a warm stall, plenty of blankets, and a pasture mate he neither humps, maims nor gets abused by),  what does your horse need to be the best version of himself?

Be sure to check out the original post linked above for a full explanation. It includes a nice graphic.


First, I think he needs to have better respect.  He is constantly testing me and trying to get his own way.  We are constantly working on maintaining space as well as doing what I tell him to do, when I know he knows better. The perfect example of this is grass snatching. He knows he's not supposed to, but still does. 
 

Pony says "F- this weather. Imma stay out in the rain/snow/sleet"

The second one I'm borrowing from Beka since it also applies to me and that's rider confidence.  I'm still a fairly green rider but feel I have a decent seat.  I'm constantly questioning if what I'm doing is the correct way to train him, or if my timing is too slow, and the list goes on.  I can also be a bit nervous under saddle which transfers to him and ties into his respect and confidence.  Yesterday, my husband and I drove to a local trail for a quick hike. The up hill side of the trail is paved for hikers/bikers/strollers, etc. The downhill/ditch side is a horse trail for a couple of miles.  All I could think about were all the things that would possibly spook Max. There were dogs barking, cattle on one side of the fence, mud, low branches (to knock me off when he bolts).  The pedestrian trail is also elevated, so having people with dogs and bikes whirring by above his head won't help things either.

See...rider confidence. 

It got foggy after it stopped raining/snowing.  Today it's just really cold.

TOABH: Worth 1K Words

This is a fun blog hop from The Owls Approve.

Worth 1k Words.

Let's share our favorite photos of our stud muffins.  No limit.

 

 

Max with his ex-girlfriend, Fancy, trying so hard to get that bit of grass.  This was when I was boarding him.

Our one and only trail ride since having him.  We went through the covered bridge with very little fuss.

Princess Cinderella the Llama and Princess Prissyfeet, the Brat About Mud.

Give me my food woman!!

Someone pissed the llama off.

Plotting the farrier's demise.

Seriously, he was horrible for her for this trim.  Little brat.