Wednesday, January 14, 2009

January 09 Deep Freeze


Chief and I braved the temps last week and walked the snowy fields. Bundling up kept me toasty and we both enjoyed the view. Now it's mid January and I miss the warm evenings of last summer when I could walk out in t-shirt and shorts to make evening rounds.

Quite a difference now ! -0 Windchills, blankets on, tank heaters working overtime and living close to the wood stove ! I keep counting down the days till Spring but it's still a 4 dog night. Hope to sneak a ride in next Monday, the BFLWM predicts 40' and that will be a heat wave !
Cold weather has me on the treadmill and reading Borders X-Mas books.
"Of Women and Horses, Essays by Horsewomen" (GaWaNi Pony Boy) is especially good, Heidenreich's "Parrot Problem Solver" and the Horsekeeping Acreage books, all good.
Scott also got me several books on horse behavior issues and how to solve problems.
'What Your Horse Wants You to Know" G. Bucklin and "Breaking Bad Habits in Horses, OverComing Faults & Vices in Both Horse & Rider, J. Bird.
At first I took a little offense at the idea of my horses having "behavior" problems, but once again Scott provided good books with insights to behavior ingrained in the horse and also better ways for me to deal with situations. And humbly I realize a horse doesn't "STAY" trained, but all through his life behaviors will emerge that I need to know how to deal with. I need to be just as much as a team member as I expect Chief & China to be.
The Ponies ??? that's a whole nuther journey.