Thursday, 20 January 2011

Playtime.

I gave up trying to get all the mud off B's neck from yesterday's day in the fields. Instead we went for a walk in the woods before work.

We didn't go far but it was nice to get away from rude people on the yard. I don't often blog about the petty rudeness but this morning really tested my patience. So I am going to vent all the same.

I had B tied up in the walkway while I mucked out. Person opposite wanted to bring her horse out and asked me to move B. So I stopped what I was doing and asked B to side pass away from me and stand right next to the stable wall so the way was clear. This wasn't good enough for this person who bitterly complained that I would have to move B all the way over in the opposite direction and away from her intended direction. I found myself saying something about it's ok and that B wouldn't kick her horse. ( we have done this a thousand times before) But I was wasting my breath because she started off on a tirade about her horse being 20 blah blah blah so I took a deep breath, untied B and took her well away from this person and her ancient, decrepit horse. Didn't stop me being childish, making a face and saying nah nah ner ner blah blah blah under my breath......it took me ages to calm down and feel less insulted and wrong for doing right. It's not my problem that this person is so terrified of horses and ignorant of horse behaviour that she can't do the simplest things without causing grief to everyone around her. Next time I am tempted to tell her to move B her $%%^**!self!!

But I won't, will I.
I will avoid this person for the next few days or so and mutter things under my breath every time I see or hear her, until I manage to get my emotions under control....sigh.
Anyway, vent over.

This evening after B had been in all day ( we are down to three day turnout now) I gave her dinner and mucked out. Then it was into the arena for some play.

B was very introverted to begin with so I let her rest and waited for her to surface. We walked about, tried some circle game, travelling circle and then with a jump and fig 8. B got quite energetic and then bracy so we did more travelling circle game. Which turned into a very energetic stick to me with us weaving and running and having great fun.

At this point I thought it was time to take the line off and watch the chaos. But there wasn't any chaos, Breeze stuck to me for a while then left and trotted/cantered around, coming back to me now and again. She rolled three times. We connected a few times but never for long although it's a vast improvement on the other times I have unclipped that 22' line.

Breeze let off some steam and then I thought it might be a good idea to put the line back on and walk her around to cool off. Then we did some play around the gate, asking B to side pass with the gate as we opened and closed it. She really has got the idea of this now. And that was it. Back to the stable and on with the evening.

Since I started being a little more assertive with B she has definitely changed her attitude. Rugs are less of a game to take off and put on. Putting the halter on takes less time but B is still thinking things over. She is looking at me in a more considered way and is less pushy. Watching her tonight she seems to have something on her mind and a lot to think about. I wonder what.

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