A 16.2 Hand Baby

Now that we have come through the worst of Chance's hoof challenges, having conquered the terrible case of thrush that made him lame from the time I acquired him last summer until recently, we are finally working on a regular basis.  It is increasingly clear to me just how much a of a baby he is, mentally.  Very green.  In fact, it's not totally clear to me that he was ever really broke.  Yes, he will allow you to saddle him and get on, but he is not broke in the sense of responding consistently to aids.  

So we have started at the beginning.  Go forward, turn, stop, back, bend, give the hindquarter, do it all again... the repitition is soothing.  I can see he wants to please.  Then again, the fact that he is a 6 y.o. OTTB mean we aren't immune to excitement.  

This is where the goats come in.  We just acquired some Boer goats as.  Apparently, Chance was not familiar with these strange little horses.  My grooming area is right next to where we are keeping the goats...there was a little drama when I was grooming and tacking him today.  Baby goat:  "Bleat!"  Chance: "Holy crap, the adorable little thing might be dangerous!  Better snort and blow!"

True to his generally calm nature, though, fortunately Chance calmed down pretty quickly.  We got to the round pen and he pressed his forehead against my chest as if to say, "Thank God that's over!"  He wasn't really thinking about tomorrow. 

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