Workhorse

I've got a new job in mind for Gabe...

I've had this harness for  a few years, but I had loaned it to a friend who does all his farm work with draft horses.  He didn't need this old harness any more so he returned it to me a few days ago. It is not a great fit for Gabe, but it is good enough to instill some of the basics.  If we make some real progress and it looks like we could do some actual work, I will look around for something that fits better.  There are a number of Amish families who have moved in nearby and I can get good harness at a decent price if I start saving my pennies. 

Emma and Ramsey are intrigued of course.

Ramsey thought for a moment that he might want to get in on the action...

but he changed his mind pretty quick when he decided that it looked more like work than play.  He made his opinion of that idea plain.

I finally let him and Emma out into the "horse" pasture.  Ramsey was so excited to explore previously forbidden territory that he gladly abandoned Gabe to his fate.

For his part, Gabe thought Ramsey had the right idea.

But he was a fairly good sport about it once I told him that participation is mandatory.

Spoiling His Fun

Gabe has been driving me nuts lately, pulling hay out of the manger and making an unholy mess out of it.  I don't mind using a bit of the coarse leftovers for bedding, but wholesale destruction is just too much.  So, I made it a little harder.....

My only complaint about Gabe is that he is a slob.  Granted, I was totally spoiled by Tessa and Emma as neither of them would ever go to the bathroom in the barn.  In fact, I have been spoiled for years as the mares I had before were also very neat.  Actually, every mare I have ever owned has been neat and every gelding a slob.  I know there are exceptions, but I haven't ever owned any of them.  With the girls, I got to spend a lot more time actually doing stuff with them because I never had to clean the barn.  Gabe has changed that.  I think this sums up the differences quite well....

It is astonishing to me just how thoroughly and completely he can trash the barn in just a few hours.  I have learned though, that he isn't so keen on trashing the place when there isn't bedding for him to throw around. 

Emma is the only one who actually sleeps in the barn and she now has her own (very clean and tidy) place to sleep.  So, I have embarked on a mission to ruin all of Gabe's fun.  He is just going to have to find another way to amuse himself, because I just can't stand (or afford) to have him waste half a bale of hay every day.  (I keep telling him there are donkeys (and every other type of herbivore) starving in Texas, but does he listen???) 

If I have to, I can add more bars to the manger or go all out and make it into a slow feeder system with a grate over it.  We'll see how this goes for now.  So far, Gabe is not happy with it at all.  Which I take to be a good sign. :)

Driving Lessons

Emma and I have started taking our first tentative steps towards driving.  Actually, This is an exercise that I do with all of my horses whether I go on to teach them to drive or not.  All that is needed is a halter, lead rope, a cheap plastic sled on a rope and an equine who knows how lead. 

Step 1.  Introduce said equine to the scary sled.  Make sure they can see it dragging on the ground all around them.  Once you can move it all around your horse or donkey (including under their feet) without fear, go to the next step.

Step 2.  Lead your equine with the sled trailing you.  Expect and be ready for a fear response at first.  Provide lots of positive reinforcement and go slow.  You'll want to start out with the sled rope in your outside hand, move it to the inside when your four-legged friend gives the OK.  Eventually, hold to sled rope on the animal's shoulder while you walk.  Depending on your equine partner, this can take as little as five minutes or as much as a week.  Just keep at it until your equine is completely bored with the process, then switch sides and repeat.  Then do it a few more times just to be sure.... 

Eventually, once your horse or donkey is completely bored with all aspects of dragging a sled around, attach the sled to a breast collar (either on a harness or a saddle breast collar).  At first, just tuck the rope under the collar with no knots so a gentle tug will release it.  If your animal EVER gets really frightened, just let go of the sled and stop.  Go back to the beginning and start again.  Don't ever let the sled "chase" your horse.  Once you get to the totally bored stage, you can move up to adding a single-tree, then adding weight.  From there, go on to pulling a tire around.  If you happen to actually own a harness and a cart, you can then start thinking about attaching the cart to your four-legged friend.

Even if (like me) you don't actually have a harness or a cart yet, this is an invaluable lesson to work through.  Especially for riding horses.  Just teaching your equine to cope with all the ropes, noise and the things dragging behind will make you and your horse safer.  And if you are struggling with the miseries of winter, this is an excellent way to work your way toward Spring.  At least that is what I keep trying to tell Emma.  Do you think she believes me?....