The Ramblings of an Artistic Equestrian

More specifically, Dakota.

Pictures are more fun, so I'll illustrate what happened:

( Case in Point )

Part of me just says Dakota's an idiot and needs to learn to not pick on horses that are 1) much larger than her (i.e. Ruby) and 2) realize to leave well enough alone when she gets the crap kicked out of her. But she has this "Boss Mare" mentallity and wants to be sure everyone knows that she's the boss.

No riding this week for Jenny, she needs to get a horse or two sold before I can head back out again, which is okay by me. I'm going to try and tuck the money I earn from her into savings as it is, essentially "extra" money and isn't the bread-and-butter that riding lessons are.

Kash had a little bit of colic on Saturday. Nothing major, just a bit of an upset belly with an elevated temperature. His heart rate and breathing were both normal, he was just feeling blah. I'm giving him a little bran now morning and evening to hopefully help with his digesting.

Now time to go remove the ice and bandages from Dakota.

I'm making an effort to get out of the house around 7.00 and working some horses. This time will be pushed earlier as the sun comes up at earlier times. If I get out at a descent time I should be able to work two horses and have time to spare. I plan on working the boy and Chewy this morning.

Funny story: Chris relayed this to me after I came home yesterday (I got out early as my art ed class got the day off). Chris was out filling the large bucket with water, Ruby (16.3hh Belgian mare) was standing nearby and Chewy (13.1hh Haflinger mare) was over by the mineral block, enjoying the salty goodness. Ruby decided that she wanted over by the salt lick and started moving off towards the little mare. Ears back and neck stretched and low in the typical "you better move" fashion Ruby kicked up her walk into that powerful, swinging gait and then into the trot.

Chewy suddenly realized that the equine locomotive was heading in her direction and turned to go, but wasn't quite fast enough. Ruby was practically ontop of Chewy at that point, the big mare's head towering over Chewy's back. "Fight or flight" kicked in and the only thing Chewy felt was possible was fight. She kicked up, catching Ruby in the chest, made a small bound forward and let her hooves fly again, this time connecting with Ruby's jaw. Ruby was quite shocked at the turn of events and backed off, blinking contemplatively; wondering how that managed to happen.

Chris said it seemed that Ruby had the whole thing planned out, but Chewy didn't move out of the way as was expected. It shows how young the big mare really is, coming seven and still not perfect in her communication. Chris joked that I needed to be sure and check Chewy's back legs today as he wasn't sure if she'd hurt herself in her encounter with Ruby.

Time for breakfast!