Wet and Wetter; Stable Genius

Let's talk dreary. 

Only for a second, though. 

It was truly a dark, dreary and wet day yesterday. 

In spite of that, my horses had their shoes removed and each received a pedicure. 

On a dark and dreary day, I was thrilled to see at least one point of light.

It involved my very own "stable genius." 

When my sisters' farrier Tom Selberg gave CB his first major hoof trim at their barn this past spring, Tom actually called CB a "genius" because, for a young colt, he remained fairly calm and cooperated as Tom picked up and worked on all fours. 

Granted, Tom had a little help from Laurie and me, but he was still impressed with CB's behavior and wisdom for such a youngster. 

Of course, I latched on to that "genius" term, thinking I had myself a pretty smart little horse and a beautiful one at that. 

Well, this summer CB tested the waters a bit more when John Fuller gave him a trim.  Bill and I kept him under control as we kept him confined against a stall wall. 

Even with his occasional miscues, John said he was doing okay for a young'un.  Nobody got hurt and CB's white hooves looked beautiful at the end of that session.

Well, yesterday when CB was going to meet another a new farrier, I took him to a box stall out of the wet muck so Tim could have as much advantage as needed.

I cautioned Tim that CB was young, usually pretty good, but---he was young. 

So, Tim entered the stall, gave CB a pat down and went to work without the aid of two human holders and a wall.  

In fact, I even stood back from CB, letting him have his head to nuzzle Tim as he worked. 

Except for one time, early on, when CB thought it might be fun to rear, the entire session went without incident.  

In fact, Tim even used his hoof stand while rasping all four hooves, and CB quickly figured out it wasn't gonna hurt him.  

So, during the last part of the session, he basically stood and thought about what was going on or occasionally reached back to nuzzle Tim. 

Tim, who attended farrier school in Oklahoma, told me that when he first started "getting his feet wet," he worked with a barnful of young horses like CB. 

"Some were drugged, some were tied down, and some were like this one," Tim recalled. 

" . . .like this one," was music to my ears, and, later, Tim said my little guy, who's growing big, was very good. 

Since he received his pedicure in the box stall and since he behaved so well, I have no problem calling CB a "stable genius," with the assurance that, unlike some well-known cases, it's truly an accurate moniker. 

CB seemed to be as relieved when the session in the barn ended as I was.  

When I turned him out into the wet pasture where Tim "sorta" worked under the shelter and took care of Lefty and Lily's hooves, CB stood nearby, focusing on every move Tim made. 

Now, I'm thinking maybe---as smart as this little guy is and after watching his keen focus---I could maybe get CB to do some hoof trimming himself. 

After all, I do have a Border Collie named Liam, who does his own nails.  Why not a horse!

Anywho, we did have a dark and dreary day yesterday, which meant staying inside most of the afternoon and getting a start on some indoor holiday projects.  

Looks like a better but still dreary Wednesday ahead today. 

With it being a bit drier, I'll plan to take my "stable genius" on a walk around the place, and keep teaching him some basics. 

He seems to be a quick study on pretty much every new experience, which makes it fun for this old lady to have a young horse. 

Happy Wednesday. 

Lefty is never quite sure if he enjoys pedicures. 

In the "wet and wetter" category, our barnyard is beginning to present some challenges---for just plain walking and for doggies who love to sample the horse apples. 

The dogs' barnyard treats have pretty much turned to APPLE sauce since the rain came.