Friday, August 12, 2016

No Stirrups and Jerk Level

We have been getting slammed with rain, I have been just been walking Stinker on the hills the last couple of days.  Since he is getting more consistent, I have been able to play with my position more.  Lately I have noticed that my one knee has started hurting, since I haven't had any problems with them before I think I am bracing somewhere.  I haven't been able to figure out what I am doing, so I decided to drop my stirrups and really work on getting my hips stretching.

Guess who hasn't gotten any actual work done this week...

Today I finally noticed a difference.  After about 30 minutes of walking, I decided to pick up my stirrups and they felt way too short.  I am hoping that if I do no stirrups every day I am walking on the hills that I will actually get him hips to work properly and maybe I will be able to lengthen my stirrups.

In other news I discovered my horse has been being a jerk to the farrier.  I was so ashamed and I am not really sure what to do about it.  He first got shoes on in January, and I was there for that.  He was a little nervous, but I thought it was just because he hadn't been done before (to my knowledge) and our farrier hot shoes, which can be a bit scary.

Can we say filthy monster?

Since that point Stinker has been on a five week schedule and I haven't been there for any of them until this week.  I actually arrived at the barn right as Stinker was being pulled out of his stall, so I held him.  He was really good (in my opinion), all he did was look when the farrier was grinding the shoes.  After Stinker was back in his stall the farrier said that his jerk level had dropped.

Wait, what, his jerk level?  Apparently he is nervous and dances around and tries to nip.  I had no idea on any of this, because no one had said anything to me.  The farrier said that he could tell I had been working with him (I really haven't), so I don't know if Stinker was better because I was holding him or if he is really getting better.

Maybe the farrier hates him because he rests a foot?  WTF horse

I am trying to decide what to do.  It really isn't feasible for me to be there every time his feet get done.  Our farrier is also a firefighter, so his schedule has to revolve around the fire house and the special training he does for the rescue teams he is on.  Between our schedules we typically only overlap by him leaving as I arrive.  My other option is to keep supplying him with beer so he likes me more than he dislikes my horse.

10 comments:

  1. Beer. Always beer. Check and beer. BO's husband is a farrier and has two very difficult horses that other farriers just won't touch (we're talking one needs heavy sedation to have a trim and the other will randomly explode and rear on you... but I really think the second one is a side effect of a spazzy owner). Apparently those horses' owners tip him with lots of beer and he appreciates it, haha.

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    1. At least he isn't that bad. Mostly just annoying. But beer is always good.

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  2. I bet he was better just because you were there. Two trims ago my barn manager had to hold my baby horse and all she was a nightmare -- they finally had to use a stud chain (I was at the vet with Ruby). So last time I made a point to be there and she was perfect. Because, horses. Sucks that it's not feasible you to be there though! For those instances, bribery beer is an excellent plan.

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    1. Darn horses and their attachment issues... I just wish I had known about it earlier. I feel bad now.

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  3. I think the Beer is a good option, I never held my horses for my farrier, he was always able to do it himself, even Ramone who had barely been handled by the farrier when I bought him. No stirrup work is always awesome, it always feels so weird going back to stirrups

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    1. It really does. I felt so cramped after the no stirrups.

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  4. Yup def beer. Sometimes horses are just better with their person there.

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    1. I think that might be the case. I'm glad that he is more comfortable with me but I would love it if I didn't have to buy a 12 pack on top of the shoeing...

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  5. Beer is always a good idea. Is it possible for him to always have the same person holding him? Then at least it would be a consistent person who can report back to you.

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    1. It is pretty much impossible with his schedule. Now that I know I'll just ask and bring a 12 pack with the check. :)

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