Does Anyone Know a Good Horse Shrink?

When I posted this I was really trying to joke about the whole thing but to be really honest, it's not funny at all. Joking about it was my way of coping with my disappointment.

When I first got Mac home from the trainer's it was awesome. I'd ride him nearly everyday. We'd go everywhere. He would respond to the slightest touch and was such a joy to ride. I don't have kids. I have my husband and my animals. My animals are like my family to me.

When Mac acted so badly yesterday it brought me to tears. I know, how stupid is that? A 54 year old woman crying because her horse won't behave. It's just that Mac and I had this bond and now it's like that bond is gone. Mac is the horse I have wanted all my life. He was so perfect. I am hoping through my trainer and research and working with Mac we can get through this "separation anxiety" of his and get back to riding like we used to.

I'm sympathetic but not smart about horse behavior, Arella.

It strikes me that there may be websites that deal more with this kind of thing. I was briefly, peripherally, around the dressage world for a few years, and those involved in it - not all, but the top people - were very tuned into the horses and what was going on with them (as least as I saw it). Not that a dressage website is the answer but that some website out there may be primarily interested in horse behavior.

I am reading everything I can find Osso. Dave, my trainer, assures me that with time and patience we can fix this.

BTW, thank you so much for that article on mules. It was so kind and thoughtful of you and I am learning a whole new appreciation for mules. They are quite the animal!

If you pay me $500 an hour, plus room and board, plus two way ticket (business class) then I'll spend some 7 hours a day quoting Carl Jung, throw in some Rorschach tests, and read the novels of Dick Francis to your horses.

You brat...

I'll cut it down to $20 an hour.

LOL! If that would work, I'd do it! You girls are a hoot! But ya made me laugh and I appreciate that.

Maybe a conciliation session between him and JJ ?

I was really hoping riding Mac in the pasture would have been good enough for him and while we were in there he wasn't too bad. I am going to see what Dave can do with Mac Wednesday night. He is coming over to see how Mac acts and will tell me what I need to do. I just miss riding Mac!

No, riding Mac in the pasture will not be enough for him. If he wants to ride more, and for some reason you can't, lunge him before getting on. Still, horses like to ride, ride, run, run. Go for long trail rides (lunge first if you must). Keep on taking lessons, as it doesn't take long before a horse knows just how much you know and how much you don't know. They bore easily. I used to post on a horse fancier's forum but can't recall the name of it - it is quoted often on the RFD (horse) Channel, however. Riders learning from each other and experts.

I rode horses, kept them at times, for 23 years beginning at age 45. They are happiest riding in groups, but I used to ride mine alone (a lot). My Candy Bar (black gorgeous mare) was happiest the two seasons I rode fox hunts. God, what fun - people, horses and dogs. The first time we went out was to "rode the dogs" (teaching the dogs how to act). I was scared half to death and was sure I would be dead under some hooves. She told me, in so many ways, though, that "I used to do this, dummy." Her only owner prior me used her for pulling a carriage cx. country, but I found out she also went fox hunting (we dragged a scent).

Well, goodness, sorry Arella Mae, but I had an obscession with horses for a very long time and I will miss it forever. I read horse books & magazines for 10 years. learned more about riding from all those natural horsemen on TV. than "instructors."

As someone once said, "God forbid there should be any heaven without horses!"

Maybe in a year or 2, Joy will give JJ a half brother ?





David

I don't think I'm going to breed Joy anymore. She's almost seven and I know that is still young but I am going to at least wait for a few years before considering it. Indy is going to be bred in March so JJ can have a "cousin." LOL

Has JJ met Indy? Give us pictures of Indy?
Has she given birth yet ?





David

JJ has not met Indy yet nor has Mac. Mac has met Hank but JJ hasn't. Indy is a huge horse. She is 16.1 hands and has a few hundred pounds on Mac. She has grown quite a bit since these two pictures were taken. She is one massive muscle horse! Indy is a purebred Tobiano Paint and has their temperment. I don't know how she is going to meld with the mix. She stays at Todd's right down the road and Todd rides her, which is something I can't do. She may be fine for ten rides and then buck you off the next. Todd can deal with that but I can't. But, if I get a foal from her I can train it to be a sweetie. I wish I had the picture of her when she was five months old on this computer. What a precious thing! I'll look for it because I have an actual photograph somewhere. I'll scan it in and post it when I find it.

Here are two pics of her. I have a new computer so all my good pics of her are on my old computer. I got these off Dave's website. He used to have a pic of Hank on there but it's gone. We are going to see them this weekend so I'll get more pics.

Indy is seven now and she has never had a baby. We are gonna change that!

Her coloring is BEAUTIFUL!!!
Will u breed for a large size foal ?





David

Yeah, she is a beauty! I am looking at a Tobiano Stud that is 16 hands. I'm waiting to hear back from the owner. I'll see if I can find his pic and post it. I love the big horses! Don't know why because I am pretty short. I am only 5'1".

This is Doc. He is my trainer's horse and he is the sweetest most gentle animal. Isn't he massive and beautiful? That is Anna, Dave's girlfriend. She is from England and such a sweet lady.

Maybe use a stallion who is BIGGER than Indy,
if u love the BIG horses ?





David

Is Doc bigger than Indy ?

I would say Doc has a good 200 pounds on Indy and he's probably about 16.3 hands. I think he weighs around 1700 pounds. Actually Indy could be bred with a smaller horse, like 15 hands, if I wanted a smaller horse. It's not that easy finding a Tobino Stallion that is at least 16 hands and somewhere near Louisiana. I would rather breed her naturally but if I have to go frozen we will.