Not Very Exciting

Horse updates:

Went to J's after work on Monday to help her with chores. I do this sometimes if I can't make it out on a Sunday, for my own horse fix and also because I'm a huge pushover and can't say no to her. Yes, I do this for free. Yes, it's an hour away from where I live. Yes, I'm an idiot!!!!!

Anyway, I make a point to turn Casper (J's stallion) outside when I'm there because a. Nobody EVER turns him out, including J and b. I think that is plain wrong! Casper MUST go outside at least a few times a week for his own sanity!!!! Casper is actually a pretty well behaved stallion. He is interested in mares, but he listens to his handlers and responds to reprimands. I do have to lightly reprimand him to pay attention on most of our outings, but it's usually nothing more than a few light tugs on his lead shank.

Since I hadn't been to J's in a little over 2 weeks, that meant that poor Casper had been holed up in his stall for that time frame. He had only been out to be led to another stall so that his could be cleaned...is that wrong? I think it is!! Needless to say, he was a little amped. He behaved well, considering. I led him out to his pasture with only a few minor rears and tiny blast off attempts. I corrected him and we continued forward until we were inside the gate to his pasture. I could just tell that it was taking all of his strength to keep from running off, he was HAPPY HAPPY to be outside.

"WHOA", I sternly told him as I slowly moved my hand up to undue the lead chain. This usually works with him...it's all about the intimidation factor. Just as my hand nicked the clasp of the chain, Casper wheeled around and attempted his escape.Unfortunately/fortunately (depends on how you look at it), I didn't let go of is lead, even though he was now pulling me across his pasture; him backing at a frantic pace, head up, eyes bulging and me yelling "whoa, whoa, whoa!"
I don't know why, but I have this death grasp thing on leads when horses pull these stunts. It usually results in the horse stopping, usually, but it leaves my arm feeling like it has been ripped from its socket, and my hands stinging from rope burn. OUCH!!! Why I don't let go, is beyond me. I think it's because I want to make sure that horse in question doesn't pull a stunt like that again, so I hold on so as to dole out the appropriate scolding afterwards ;).

Casper was actually pretty good. In fact, two of J's mares are much worse when they occasionally pull those "run away" stunts. Luckily, my arm and hand remained in tact, and I was able to scold the now ashamed looking Casper. I made sure to set him up (park him out) and I spoke sternly to him for a bit. When I was sure he wasn't about to pull that stunt again, I smoothly undid his lead line and let him rip. He flung him self around and galloped around that pasture until he couldn't gallop anymore. Then he went about sniffing poo and curling his lips, a Stallion's 2nd favorite past time, I suppose.

On another note, I have been visiting my mom's horse, Lady here and there. She is as fat and sassy as ever, look at that rumpus!