Spooky pony

Diary

Posted: Wednesday 16 February, 2011

by Rosemary at 9:13pm in Equines 1 comment Comments closed

My Smokey is quite an unconfident pony. Over the winter, he's been a bit like a feral pony - he comes in to be fed and have his feet picked out but we haven't spent much time together. On Monday, I took Bugsy out for a walk and intended to take Smokey out yesterday but for several reasons, it was put off until today.

I brought him in this morning, gave him his bucket in the loose box and went for my breakfast. When I came out an hour later, I thought he was coming over the box door. Hmm, I thought, maybe we won't go out.

I spent forty five minutes just moving him in and out of the box, until he was listening and going in and out calmly. It wasn't about the box though, it was about me as a leader. I tried to remain calm, give him room, keep him focussed and thinking. By the end, he was happy to stand in the box with the door open and to back in, as well. After that, I turned him out.

Although we didn't do what I planned, I think it was well worth spending the time with him. I'll bring him in again tomorrow and see if there is an improvement. Horses are just so interesting.