Seems there's always some of the good, the bad, the ugly and the hilarious with situations we deal with in life.
Yesterday's riding session with CB involved a little of all of the above.
Actually, I'm not seeing a lot of hilarity, but the other three came up for sure.
Twas my third time for riding CB this year, and thus far, the situations are as full proof as it gets when dealing with the unpredictability of a young horse.
I've had help from others---a lot---for each riding session.
As I plot my agenda for each ride with CB, it seems that the young man has been doing some of the same. He's no dummy.
Yesterday, the instant he saw me walk over to the horse trailer, he turned tail and headed off to the farthest corner in the pasture.
This is relatively new behavior for a horse which is always making eye contact and happily coming over for a pat or two.
He had done something similar last time but not with such gusto and determination as yesterday's exhibition.
Happily, the grain-can-rattle did the trick as three horses came running to the fence for their handouts.
So, I was able to put his halter on and lead him from the pasture to the horse trailer.
Bill had asked me earlier if I needed any help getting him over to my sisters.
"No, he's fine loading, but if you'll come around 11:30 and hold him while I dismount, that would be great," I said.
Mounting and dismounting from a mounting block have been my MO with horseback riding for a few years, and as the old knees stiffen up more than ever, I take great comfort in knowing that someone will be holding my horse as I lift up my stiff right leg over the saddle and aim for the mounting block.
People have been known to miss, and when they're old people, the tumble to the ground doesn't feel good.
I felt self-assured yesterday that CB would load quickly like he always has.
Remember when I said he was doing his plotting. Well, the "I won't load," was part of his road map to getting out of work.
I have learned in my golden years that patience is a must with loading horses, and so I patiently and quietly worked with CB for about ten minutes.
Another part of his strategy for getting out of work reared its ugly foot yesterday when he initiated a new game at the back of the horse trailer.
Put your right foot in, slide it all around, put your right food out and shake it all about.
Put your left foot in, slide it all about . . . you get the scene.
Lots of hoof sliding on the trailer floor as well as some camel-like resistance poses with his head.
Having started out earlier than usual yesterday to make it to my sisters', I was now late. So, I told CB we'd take a break while I texted my sisters, telling them that someone doesn't want to load.
"Need help?" Laurie responded.
"No, let me give it some more time. I'm remaining calm," I texted back.
Yes, I was remaining as calm, but CB was remaining defiant.
A few more minutes passed, and then I saw Laurie walking around the back of the trailer.
Together, we employed the rope-behind-the-butt technique, and CB loaded.
Relief!
Still, I learned later that CB had filled out his strategy list and had definitely checked it twice to ensure that today's session would not include any glowing reports, and maybe "if I pull off a really good trick, she'll give up."
He was pretty close to correct because there is definite fear within the bones and heart and mind of an old lady riding a young horse.
So, long story short, CB shied at a small trailer at the end of the arena, then refused to move forward, then got mad when I poked him with the spurs, then threatened to crow hop . . .
"Take him in circles," I heard from the other end and bring him up to this end."
Thankfully, my brain did engage.
I did listen and did respond.
Eventually, CB's tense back relaxed and eventually he seemed to realize for the time being that his list of bad-boy stuff wasn't getting him any closer to going back to his pasture.
We walked over poles and bridges and backed and did circles and stood still in the horse lineup, sorta.
As Laurie said, "Youngsters don't have long attention spans." And, having to stand still and waiting in line wasn't nearly as much fun as backing up one step at a time or pawing the ground or shaking his head up and down.
Eventually, it was CB's turn to go over some obstacles, and he did okay. We really screwed up one obstacle when a cramp took over my right hip and refused to go away.
But we even worked past that problem. When we walked back to the other horses, CB, acting like he wanted to crawl up on one of their laps, basically wiped out the horse line-up.
Bill had arrived by that time, which meant we could quit and go home.
As we walked out the door, I yelled to my sisters and Roxzene, "Well, at least he didn't win with any of his tricks today."
They agreed, but that announcement must have embarrassed CB.
He was NOT going to load in the trailer, even if a pasture with his two buddies awaited.
This time, with the footsie game starting again, the rope for his behind came out sooner. This time it looked like it was gonna work.
CB came almost into the trailer and then decided to back out and bang his head on the trailer roof. In so doing, he peeled off a chunk of hide from above his left eye.
Calmness, which I have been practicing rather successfully, turned to quiet frustration.
"Let's try it one more time," I said, not wanting to have to run for help from my sisters.
This time it worked. CB walked into the trailer.
When we arrived home, he stood perfectly calm and unloaded without incident.
I felt pretty disappointed because up to yesterday, CB had been so good. Then, I thought once again: he had failed at all of his naughtiness tricks and sadly ended up with an owie for all his efforts.
Some days are diamonds; some days are dust, they say.
And, young horses are like kids, not perfectly behaved all the time.
I'm thinking the next time we take him to my sisters, the human team will be in force, and, with time, CB will learn that his antics get him nowhere.
The fun of an old lady and a young horse.
We'll keep moving forward on this journey, maybe without the spurs next time.
Happy Wednesday.
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