Autumn.
Or at least it's in the air. If it's not rain, it's the beginning of cool nights and soon the rain.

Without a doubt, Albert is just a sweety. I may wax on but he really dials in on the putting his head in the halter, if I walk up to him too fast, he may step back, then I realize, erg, so I step back, and he comes to me. I am seeing less need to longe him, just moving him out around the paddock for one or two transitions, and I am only doing that one day a week.

On the 7th he walked over his old blanket, slowly and with help from an apple, he realized that it was not a bottomless pit. I ended when he walked back and forth with no apple and all the aplomb of a solid citizen. Of course, I know he will look at me like I have two heads if I try this again in a week or so, but there is no rush. He genuinely does enjoy the interaction.

I sometimes think back to horses that I have worked with that were so unused to nice interaction with humans, that I am lucky that Albert can relax and be the People Person he is at heart.

When I longe him, I use the word "whoa-up" and stop my body back. He tunes into this so fast that he will stop, roll in and come over to me. Considering a Natural Horsemanship clinic. Albert is so willing and wants to understand what I am asking, that I need to contemplate my own way of speaking to him. He works to understand me, and I should do the same. Unless he decides to "pick 'em up and lay 'em down!"

Wow! A whole year since Albert has been in my life! He is so sweet, mischevious, funny, and intelligent. Pinch me, am I dreaming?

The kind intelligence in his eye is no lark, no mistaken notion. Quite a match of horse and horseperson. He is forgiving of my learning curve, and of course, he asks me to think about what I am doing. This is a time of learning. I am remembering, but also learning new ways to communicate with Albert, analysing my body language, and getting help from a super person who has a lot of wisdom.

Chilly nights, and shorter days...The Fuzzy Dude is back! Amazing how he put's the fuzzy fur right on. Shedding out the dark hair and on goes the red colors of fall.

Albert at approximately 16 months has a little more growing to do, but I am not sure if he will be a very big guy. Today, Oct 1, I noticed he's a little bigger, but he may be a little guy. Which is fine for me. And very hard to predict anymore. He is beginning to grow into his legs, and I realize that this process has been so much fun, such a treasure.
Thank you for this year, Albert, I am so glad that I metcha!

Late October. Albert has become the Fuzzmeister. He is just adorable. And he's his usual cuddlepuss self. Of course he does tend to lose his head over apples, we save those for after training.

Albert's been testing me on picking up his feet. I can't help but laugh, because this was the foal that used to pick up his feet with the word "up." So I am thinking about a lot of things the diet, his slight stiffness in his hip, and his personality. I backed down to square one, and started to re-teach foot lifting. Lots of praise and verbal no when he pulled away. He has a bit of long feet right now, and a bit of thrush. Farrier coming out soon. Also thinking his feet are bugging him, perhaps its his legs, or fetlocks. His good nature, even when he's acting silly, doesn't lend him to doing this without reasons.

Have been walking Albert over a pole on the ground, mostly to work on him lifting his back legs, strengthen his stifles and generally get him used to objects. I lead him, occasionally I drive him in a walking circle over. His mellowness never surprises me, but I am just showing him the world of things he's got to meet.
While I was hanging out on the 16th, these sunny days are just amazing, I lay down on the log in the center of the arena. Albert likes to pretend he's ignoring me, but gets closer and closer, nibbling near the log, then walking off. His little "tag your it" kind of thing. Today he walked over the low part of the log, just stepped over his front leg, then another, then nibbled for a bit, then he stepped over with his back legs. I can't help but laughing. He is an equine comedian.

Oct 18. This little foot picking up episode seems to be rounding out to a soft end. I used the soft rope, lots of praise and verbal whoa and more of a deeper NO when he thinks its funny to pull his back leg away. Today was an easier day. Although, I am confessing here and now, I am giving him too many snacks out of my hands. Rather than the delicate and charming Avi, who nibbles treats out of your hand, Albert lays his ears back and essentially in "equine" says "GIMME." Today no treats. He lay his ears back. We did some work, then after all was done, I did give him an apple. Okay, okay...I know. He nipped me earlier. Just that soft testing nip. The "whats this fuzzy jacket"...NIP.

He is getting better at spooking in place, and when he decides to just "bail" and buck/fart/kick I can get him to stop quickly with verbal command and my body placement. Though I have to remember he is a baby, so we are walking and that is about it, a trot transition, then down, then walk and that's it. He will go higher, so we settle down, and so far it feels like progress. This is free longeing. He is still such a baby. Standing still, stopping, being easy with the new things, is my main goal.

With the faint hint of cold weather at the end of October, November slides right on through with NORMAL NORTHWEST Weather: Rain.
Not as much as I'd expected. Albert is near 15hh, hovering at around 14.3 1/2 and so much more robust than this time last year! So I am not so worried about him getting wet, goofing around in the rain, etc.

Hate to sound boring, but at his age, I am relaxing on the free longeing and learning clicker training. Now The first day I tried it, I didn't know what to expect. I figured he would go nuts over the grain, and forget about anything else. He bumped his nose on the brush I used as a target and I used my mouth as the clicker. First he just looked around, but then, instantly, I click and offered him the grain. Again, bump the brush, then click, then grain. Actually, I am using Alfalfa pellets, which he loves.

Okay...so I have a wild man lipping every inch of my pockets, hands etc. He comes at me with his mouth wide open. He doesn't actually bite, but he samples the palm of my hand with his toungue every time I try to pet him. Great. Food obsessed horse! But still he noses the brush/target and I click and reward. Okay, he loves the sound of the click. Meanwhile I am using Koppertox to keep the minor thrush in check this winter and I see that again, dealing with the stubborn foot lifting issue. So I combine the clicking sound and reward and now he is back to lifting his feet up again! Thank you Ms. Kurland!!!!!

November 13. After about 4 days of no clicker, because he loses his cool over the food, I decide that I have to try again, finally got Ms. Kurland's book in the mail. Ah, so...must wait for the reward sometimes. So I begin to ask him to wait, and he does. I have him "whoa," and then click, then ears pricked, he waits and then the grain.
New skill: I say the word touch and point to the object, one of three brushes on the ground. Slowly I introduce each brush, after teaching him the "touch" command. Then we go through the brushes, I pick a brush, he touches it, he has a pellet or two of alfalfa. A-mazing.

Okay...so enough parlor tricks. The focus has been on getting him to wait for the click. Wait nicely and not get bargey! When I was a groom I had to take care of enough bargey horses to know that I didn't enjoy working with them. So the reward for patience has been the most satisfying. He had been trying this head-snaking-ears-back-stud-horse number on me, and it was quite hilarious. To me, but not to a novice or someone who didn't know his kinder nature. We ended on "whoa" which I have been working on sans clicker, but with the added incentive, and focus, he will stand, rather than fidget, and while I walk around him.

My mom is back in school, so I will try to get photos while I am having him standing. His coat is like mink. Smelly, slept-in-my-poop mink, but by mink, nonetheless.

Oh happy days.

November 18. Back on the longe line. Have been avoiding the longe, as he is young, am I a broken record or what? Well, he also has been learning more and more of the joys of clicker training. And of course the rewards, he is learning isn't always a face full of alfalfa pellets, he loves verbal praise. He also loves to be hugged. I swear, if you think you absolutely have to have an "imprinted" foal to have fun with a horse, I beg to differ. Albert is as people oriented as any animal I have ever met. Big kind eye? Maybe, but big kind heart is more like it, and though I digress, I think a lot of horses have the potential! All right....back on task!

...and back on the longe...so I decide, that I have been using the small walking circle, and the walk along side of him, with the lead rope, using the technique of driving him at the girth. He responds well. If he is in a "futz-around mood" I can control him. Unfortunately, at the free longe, there is that upward transition to a trot, that can devolve to a bolting canter. This was all well and good when he was younger, and, of course, I realize I have been encouraging this behavior...mental note to self, pay attention!...and so he uses it as an escape from my aids. Nice, as usual, he is 10 steps ahead of me. So back to the longe line. Today was walking only, at a 15 meter circle, no trotting, except when he did a lovely vertical dive buck and attempt to bolt. My "hey!" and he stops, looks at me, I ask him to walk on, the gentle "click click" for praise, and verbal "good boy" and he's back. He tries the bolt a couple times, but he gets a little taste of the stonger medicine, a regular leathe halter, (to be frank, if he wanted to he could drag me around) and he's looking at me like "what?"

Walk on again, and he's just walking! Ear cocked. Vast amounts of praise and we quit for the day. The holes I have given him have been small ones, but he takes the gift and gets through the door. But he is willing and wants to understand what I am asking. At this age, I just want to be able to keep him entertained and his attitude up.

One other project that he enjoys is walking around the property. Since the area has been cleared for some trees to come down, there is a fun area he can come along with me on a little hike-let. Ears pricked, nostrils wide, he marches into the shadows and hills like a little war horse.

Almost one year since Albert came to Heathercrest Farm. Mr Sassy! Mr I-Can-Leap-Straight-Up-In-The-Air-Cuz-I-Am-Feelin'-GOOD!

Albert got his West Nile Virus shots started...finally! Chagrin! My own fault on the delay. His hair coat is coming in thick again, he was excited the other night and got himself a bit sweaty, so I had to walk him around for a while to make sure he was dry. I can't talk myself into clipping him, even a trace clip, though because the work he does is so minimal. I used to clip horses dawn to dusk as a groom, and think that when the time comes he will take to it fine. Haven't purchased a clippers yet, but the memories of cleaning the blades and finding the right tension don't warm me to the task. For now, Albert will remain Mr. Hairy-Long-Yearling

Yup! It's official, Albert is a year and one half! Still a baby in so many ways and of course I only walk him on the longe. I did put him on the long, 20 metre longe line again, we walked around a bit. He now has a leather halter, it's cob sized, so the fit is perfect. He squealed once, bunched up and made his buck-kick-break-for-the-hills maneuver....but I help my ground and he changed his mind. Next time, he jumped straight in the air. Oh for a camera! I have only seen this type of jump by a lippizaner. He stood there afterword ears pricked, "now what did you want me to do? Oh...Walk On!" And he made a round, did the perfect upward transition to a trot. Trot for 1/2 circle then down to a walk again. Changed directions and did the same. Vast quantities of praise! He was sure he was the best thing ever! And I let him graze.

In retrospect, I hope it does not sound like the work I do with him is excessive. I am very careful not to overwork or sour him. He is so willing, most curious and definitely has a rollicking good humor about him that I want to keep him from getting bored. He tends towards that, too. Sometimes we walk around the arena in serpentines. Or I jump up and down around him to get him used to funny movement. Or I will stand on the log in the center of the arena and move him over to it and have him stand while I pet and move around above him. He likes the "click click" of clicker training, so I give him things to think about. Mostly I will let him have turn out, visit Avi over the door of her stall or visit Annie over the fence. He has so much time and that fresh look in his eye is quite a pleasure. When I worked in busy show and schooling barns, I saw horses that are just hating their interaction with humans. I love that Albert pricks up his ears, looks at me with that gentle, intelligent eye and says "What do you want to do now, I'm game!"

Of course I did ply him with apples and put a santa hat on his head for a photoshoot. He indulged me! Ho, ho, ho!

Albert is a little bored, and has torn down the Christmas decorations at the barn. I have made a rope toy, he unties the multiple knots. Have made a vastly important discovery: since undertaking clicker-training Albert has become very mouthy. It is never more than lipping, or nibbling, but it is definitely, testing. I decided to try an experiment. He grabs my coat in his teeth and swings my arm, again, this is not a bite, he's onto the layer he's grabbing onto. I reached over and used my hand like a horses mouth and "bit" him on the shoulder. Just like his mom would do. He stopped the taste test. I don't want to swat or hit him, there is no point. So I will bury my head back in the clicker training book, and get my head around it!

End of Year...Albert continues to evolve into a gregarious, clever, pony-minded horse. He's just over, and I do mean just, 15hh. There is a little devil-may-care toss of the head, as he is moving into his strengths: he is bold and smart, and right now he likes to periodically test me. Though these are really more playful, nor are they skirmishes, they are his way of being an 18 month old horse. But it's always good humor, and a smile in his eyes. I have learned to imitate his "squeal" right before he jumps and plays, I think the first time I did it he was amazed. Now it's old news. But I can anticipate when he want's to bolt, buck and play, so I work him slow, and don't ask more than he can get his head around.
And reminding me that the arc of our journey, trainer and trainee, is a low, long slope. Of course I learn so much from him, and just watching him graze is a true pleasure! Happy New Year!

Beginning a new year is akin to trying on new clothes. January is all about figuring out what will work, even though you walk into the dressing room with the best of intentions...if it doesn't fit, it won't work.

I had a family emergency for a bulk of the month, so Albert was pretty much hanging out for two weeks. Two weeks of becoming master of his paddock, watching the world around him digging holes, and dead-tree-branch flinging...oh and tree chewing. The bark around the bottom of the three pine trees in his paddock show the scars of his play.

Shortly before I left town, I realized that this winter Albert would not be wearing a blanket. Not because I didn't get a fine blanket for a great price on Ebay, but one day I found he'd slipped out of the back of it and then opened the inner lining and tore out the polyester batting mouthful by glorious mouthful. To the tune of 30 or 40 mouthfuls strewn about pasture. Not bad for a mid-morning workload. I have washed the blanket and took out all the batting, but since the winter has been so mild, and even now, the end of the month, he is beginning to shed. He looks like he is handling the weather fine, if we get some cold snaps, he will merely laugh in the face of them with his Royal Fuzziness in tact.

Albert has blossemed, he is smart, and I am realizing that I have got to stop treating him like a big buddy, and step back over the line of owner. No more snacks, and for now, clicker training is back burnered until his focus is back on me. Otherwise, just the normal growth and groundwork.

Oh...by the way...his Canadien Horse characteristics are starting to come out more. He has a lovely neck, it is naturally higher and he loves to arch it, very nice, very, very nice! Photos coming soon.

Time of discovery.

Albert is exerting his presence upon me. First off, to those who are die hard clicker-trainers, my apologies, but I am a failure at it. Albert loves food, not unlike most horses, but he get's bolshy, distracted and aggressive when it is not the main topic of discussion. So while he knows the job of touching the objects and recognizes the soft clicks of reward, he tends to forget who is in charge.

The two weeks I was gone for the family emergency made me forget two things. One, that Albert tends toward boredom, second, he is not just a baby except in his bones and part of his mind. The part that I know I can't work him hard, nor can I work him long. After a couple of days when I was sure he was going to knock my block off, Finally, we have arrived at concensus.

I have a rope halter and a 14' lead. With all the tact I can muster, I have let Albert know that I am me, am the space he has to respect. It's taking some time, but yesterday he walked, then trotted along side me without the squeal, buck, kick drama that he loves to throw in. He has a lot of energy now, too. Early attempts to longe, I wish I had a camera, seemed surreal, since he can launch himself airborn with little more effort than sheer will. What still has me puzzled, is that I can work with him at his back end, I can even give him tail stretches, which he loves and was taught to me, and I mean he will lean into them, but when I ask him to move forward, if I am less than tactful, he will rebel. I become super predator, he becomes some stallion out of Stubbs painting (you know which one!), and I am agog, then we work through it.

But with constant effort, I find the thin line between motivating him to move and keeping him from worrying about what I am doing.

And leading used to be so easy. Now he grabs the lead, shakes it around, then looks at me. Also he has marked past me, Mr Warhorse, strutting past Ace, who I imagine laughs his head off at this little upstart, but the rope halter lends respect, and rather than duking it out, which he trends towards if I ask too much, I remember, especially the last few days, that he loves praise. It is with doglike pleasure that he will lower his head and receive the good graces of a some nice words.

This is my biggest learning curve. I guess I could leave him in his wild indian state, but without something to do, he'd tear up more of the tack room wall. Perhaps he is a circus horse, wanting to dance and strut.

The only horse he actually mouths to any longer is Ollie. Annie and Avi are nipped at and bothered and if they bite back he goes up a bit or gets bossy. I guess if he was a kid, he'd be smoking and driving fast cars.

I still secretly grin at the 180 turns in mid air, the leaps and the rocking horse canter. All off longe, but just getting his ya-ya's out. And the difficult challenge: do I demand he work, then let him loose? Or get him to shed the wildness he has in his blood before asking him to work? Have tried it both ways and he has let me know what he thinks either way. One day I wouldn't let him into his visiting corner with Annie, he was so frustrated. He tried to prance around me, big as ever (I have led 17hh horses that seem smaller than he does when he fluffs up his metaphorical feathers). I sent him away, finally, he came back, to me, head down, chewing, and ears floppy. We got some leading done, some "walk ons" and then I let him graze. Did it make any difference the next time? Not a bit. But yesterday, I saw the old Albert start to emerge. More relaxed, ready to listen. We had a great session. Some trainers are reading this smacking their forehead, "yoiks" but I have to admit, Albert has a good laugh at me, but for now, zero snacks. They mysteriously are in his stall after his turnout, but otherwise, nix!

What days! Forgive the apalling lack of photographs! I have been slacking in that department. Have some that I will load soon. (Yes, keep saying that don't I?)

Learning curve acres! I have said (here) that I am a skeptic when it comes to Natural Horsemanship. Of course I have a horse that at once wants to cuddle and then wants to step all over me. It's disconcerting, and for someone who made their living working with horses, it's downright embarassing! Albert has a knack for saying "what me?" with his beautiful eyes and arch neck, then pawing at me when I don't get to the paddock gate fast enough. So I enrolled the help of my dear friend, Sandy Heisey. She had come over in the fall, showed me enough...for me to not be effective! And I talked to her again. This time, the magic is happening!

Now, I don't think it's any more than me asserting myself without making Albert worry (how can a worrier like me have a worried horse? What a surprise...NOT!). So again, body language, communication and just plain old fashioned firmness.

Poor Albert!!! His world view has taken a beating! Better than me! Actually what I am doing now is very simple, because I have yet to take a class, which I am planning to do in two weeks with Scot Hansen, thanks to Sandy!

So back to Albert's world view. I confess that at times I wondered if he was reverting back to some wild creature. My world view, as an aside, has been filtered through "poor sick baby" and of course now he's a robust 15hh colt with aspirations of herd leader! His lovely baroque build enables the little man to rock back onto his hindquarters with ease. So personal space, nipping and a general irritation he has at times with me must be squelched. I find that I get worked up when he does, so rather than duking it out, I have just worked on some backing up, making sure he leads behind me, respects my space, and some very basic basics. But, I have more to learn, and Albert has relaxed now. Not saying he doesn't occasionally decide to paw at me, but he focuses better, he's Mr. Lick and Chew, and we just both settle into lower heartbeats, and he snorffles, I snorfle, he stands, and we try again.

Still yesterday (8th) he went airborn a bit during the walk from the barn. He's got his maneuvers, and his escape tactics. They are subtle, and they have been honed. He isn't mean, he's young, and my laxness with him is coming back to haunt me.

Other things: Albert has a little grid protecting his portion of the barn from his chewfest. I have a couple of toys up, and he has branches to play with, but the guy is bored. He loves to get the halter on to go out to work (as an aside, I don't just let him run before some slight work, whether it's a longe or just leading, the days of Paddock Lift Off are over. He still will try to put on a show! But on the 7th, we had a very nice day. Still trying to repeat that, and I know it's me as much as him.). When he's out, he visits his new friend, Cindy, she's an elderly Foxtrotter who has the best horse squeal, it could ring through canyons! So he likes to see her.

Water is as ever a bogey. His stall/paddock has a big puddle that he must transverse all the time. He pussyfoots it, but by gosh he does it! In the arena his normal "sand pit" where he rolls is a place he normally loves. After the rain there was a tiny set of puddles. Holy cow! All my NH longeing went out the window. Finally I was able to lead him over it. He did, bless his heart, but he nearly walked over me, and then stood quavering. Hugs, pats, lots of praise, he was fine. Did it again, and of course, I just have to wonder if I will be able to drive him through that kind of thing. It was not a success story, imho, but at least we walked through it.

The 8th, he was fine, and we ignored the puddle. Then I worked on backing him away from me, and bringing him toward me. This is the ONE thing that has made a huge difference! He understands, he also respects what I am asking. Milestone! Well, somehow we backed into the puddle. The upside: he didn't even notice. The downside: he didn't even notice! Oh well.

Albert is no plug, he's sharp as a tack, always thinking, and the goal is to channel all the smarts!

Countdown to clinic... Albert really is getting better. I have to take time and settle him down, and correct him at the same time, but for the first time in a while, sad as I am to say, I can lead him to the paddock with less than dramatic stomping, rearing and running ahead of me. I know eventually I will get the knack of this, but I have had to nail his @$$ a little bit to get him to knock the antics down to a reality.

He is starting to tune into me better on the longe, and his escape mechanisms seem to fall to the wayside before he can work them into his routine. I am so ZEN onto him and always keeping the level relaxing, yet keen to keep him engaged. Although I am thinking that I might be starting to "get it...time will tell!"

Transitions is the theme this month. I learned so much, and continue to learn from Albert. He is a "perfect test" as a good friend said. Indeed, the more I settle back and mellow out with him, the more he does the same.

To catch up, the clinic we attended was most informative. So much to rethink in fact day of event, I was a little overwhelmed and Albert looked ever the flashy fellow, head high, seeing the sights. He has a lovely nervous habit of nipping, but we are dealing with that, in fact, it was a perfect lesson for me, because, every time Scot worked with him, or even held his lead, the manners tightened up, then back in my control, well, I felt like two quibbling kids at the back of the class! Mr. Stage presence even pawed at Scot during a point in lecture, when in fact he should have been standing still, but instead of busting chops, Scot marked it up to youth. This is my learning curve. Albert is so goofy and babyish still, or maybe he's having a second youth, because he was such a quiet fellow.

He still tries a few squeals and of course rather than getting down on him, it works far and away better to just settle him. I know he reacts like a trueing rod to correction, and rather than overdoing it, understating my requests is much more successful.

Spring is working it's magic, he seems a little bigger than before, but since I haven't measured him, I won't commit, also it looks like another growth spurt is occuring. He is not a perfect equine specimen, but really, for picking his little monkey butt off the internet, well, he sure is nice to look at!

Surviving without a blanket this winter has been okay! Don't laugh, it's rainy! But seriously, it really isn't that cold, we know it. Now he's shedding out to that dark seal brown color, Mr Plain Brown Wrapper, and looking good. More changes in the offing, but for now, it will be a surprise until day of event! Most exciting!

Whooo hooo! Happy dance! Albert will spend the summer at grass! On April 20 with help of amazing Sandy Heisey we relocated him to Cherry Creek Equestrian Center.
What a day! Since the road to Heathercrest was completely torn out for development, we walked my gear out to the truck, only 1/4 mile away, then went back for Albert. Such a level headed guy! He looked but walked past all the machinery, flapping plastic and empty condo frames with aplomb. I was more worried than he was! Earlier we had gutted Sandy's very spacious trailer, because "Mr. Personal Space" hasn't learned that he can stand facing forward tied up on a haul yet. So he was loose in what was almost, actually was really, a trailer the size of his stall at Heathercrest. He loaded with ease, and aside from some walking about, road pretty well. Not too much fuss, he was fresher than after the clinic, so he took the opportunity to peek out of all the windows.

At CCEC once unloaded we put him in a stall, as he would be transitioning to full grass turnout over 10 days. He didn't act too worried, but he was curious, all the horses! So many new folks to meet and greet, I learned the ropes, and the whereabouts of turnout, and we took him down for a jaunt in the pasture. Now of course it's spring, and it does flood out there, but things are drying up, and it was MUDDY. I wish I'd had the camera, because when I put him in the pasture, he hung around at the gate, not sure what was up. He kept looking at me. So I went in and danced around the less deeper sections, out to the main area, or the beginning of the main area, because this pasture is something akin to 8 or so acres. He trotted right behind me, and finally, when the other horses started to approach, he went out to see what was up.

What a pleasure!!! He just had a blast! Heirarchies soon were established, and although Albert came out in the middle of things, he got the sense enough to not push issues. He befriended a beautiful paint called Jake, and Sandy explained how Jake "moved" Albert around. Pretty amazing to watch! Jake got Albert's respect, and he was such a subtle guy about it! They were rolling in the watery section, and grazing when we left to clean out Sandy's trailer. Whoo hoo!

I must confess I was so excited and so relieved, I have been looking to get Albert out to pasture for a while. And he needed to just hang, the small arena and paddock weren't enough, and since there is so much more growing to do, well, 'nuff said, it was time

I got back to walk him back, and I think he was tired, but really was easy to lead him from the herd. Hi buddy whinnied at the gate, and I hosed him off and we just hung out for a while! Such a day!

Here are some photos of the place and Albert being hosed off. He loves it there, I took him for a hand feed walk on Sunday, a week afterward, and he did fine, a little excited by the herd, but he came back after a while. The previous wednesday I was out there, and well, he put on quite a show! Circling, whinnying but he settles and this is when I took the photos. He is looking good. New food and turnout do agree with him!

Living large! ...is the theme of this spring!

It is as though I have a new horse. He really enjoys the herd, he always has a buddy nearby, who gives me the once over when I go see him, then we hang out, take a walk and get a grooming. There is so much room for him, it really is just beyond words. More photos coming soon.
Albert has had a trim on his feet, the new farrier, Justin, is just so nice. Albert stood like a good guy, and even lifted a foot for him. Justin is all patience, he conveyed it to Albert, very nice!.

Albert is getting his share of bumps from the herd, but so far nothing too dramatic. The odd tooth mark, a little worrysome. He did get a kick in the chest, sigh. But it's not too bad, and has almost vanished. I think is he is mellowing out, he likes to follow one or two horses around, and has gone from Mr. Society, to Mr. Ohletusnapinthesun. While I was out there, he sat up a bit, then lay his head back down "now really, it's too hot for all this!"

The same day he had his feet trimmed I trotted along side him out on a track beside the pasture. No squeals, no bucks, just a nice trot, and then I let him scarf on some of the grass. Will get some more pix...to be frank, right now, it's just a deep pleasure to see him thoroughly enjoying himself so much out in the herd. I could just hang out and watch him make small talk with his horse buds. Or see how he gets handled by the savvy herd leaders. I can learn a lot from those guys!

Mid-May...Albert caught his foot on something in the pasture and cut a portion of the bulb of his heel off. I was lucky, it is healing nicely. He's been a good patient, but his bandage came off, so I had to scrub the wound and rewrap. That got interesting, but I must confess, poor little dude was so patient, because I know it hurt like crazy, and it only took me three tries to rebandage. A very super nice lady loaned me a Davis Medicine boot. It really helps. So...now he's in a stall, getting better and hopefully soon we will let him loose with the pasture pals.

This happened on the 11th, and since it was best to cut off the portion that was hooked, as it was surface versus deep, I agree with the vet that it's easier to go that route. He has pawed with the right foot, so I can imagine he just got too close and got caught. Sugar. However, ever the optimist, I am so glad it was not much worse.

I must admit, he's a really good patient, but he likes to test me on keeping his foot up, but he's learning, patience and treats, and a little growling help.

He looks about 15.2hh right now, he really does thoroughly enjoy the multi-horsey environment, lots of "people" to meet, see, and hear. I walk him, hand feed him (to be clear, walk him around and let him eat grass) but I also go "harvest" fresh grass and let him nibble.

Also, it's PMU adoption season, so please check out Foalquest and FANI. Both are great groups of people, and if you are thinking of adopting, there are a lot of foals out there that sure could use the same bright future that Albert has. Whatever I end up doing with Ol' Albert-O I am not sure yet. The physitis will ever haunt me, and yet, he is such a goofy, funny horse...with an awefully sweet nature!

May 31. I am thinking tomorrow is Albert's 2nd Birthday. He is turning out nicely! Took him for a walk down the dirt lane behind the stables, we passed a little waterfall, I let him graze. He was great! Before that I let his get some yayas out in the indoor arena. He really is hilarious. But for some reason when my mom came in the arena he went up to her and reared. Sheesh, what a yokel. He wasn't close enough to hurt her, but I think that shenanigans will have to go. My mom says "no Albert" and I am clear at the other end of the arena. He stopped. He had been shooting about, scooting around, sniffing this and that, and then squealing...jumping straight up in the air...what a nut! So, pretty soon, he is back at pasture. He just cracks me up!

Journal Continues...

I take my pix with a minolta xg-7 and x700 (I will build a page on this site that talks about my kit) - and my mom's advantix camera, if I am in them, my very talented mom did it (ain't she sweet?)

And that ultimately means that I have the film developed and scanned...so where am I going with this??...well, that means that hot off the press photos of Albert lag behind the text.

Note: My new image acquisition device: Olympus digicam! Not to shabby! The only thing that I don't like is the slow shutter lag time between button pushing and image capture. So, I still use my trusty XG-7