The ones you understand

I don't think I ever mentioned my pony. Yes my pony. Hes 11 something hands hackneyXwelsh cross. His name is Keebler.

Keebler is the most push button "yes ma'am!" equine I have ever met. Theres something about him that I just understand. I know why he spooks, why he gets upset, why he shies, why he plays and why he just plain enjoys peoples company.
You never EVER have to teach something to that pony twice and when you do ask him of something he already knows he does it every time without question. Quite a trusting little fellow.
Hes just one of those horses, err ponies that I never have to question why he does something, I just know and I can explain it every time. He understands me, trusts me like you wouldn't believe and goes about his merry way without the fuss or complaint most horses, especially young horses often throw at you.
I think it had something to do with me being the one to train him. He didn't even know how to lead when I got him as a three year old project.
Now he drives, rides, lets kids drag him all over the place and barely ever spooks at anything.
I just understand him better than any horse I have ever worked with, owned or came across. Theres something that clicks there that I cannot explain or any professional horse person can define. It's almost telekinetic.
Him and I make a fabulous team. It's just so relaxing to drive and work around him knowing hes so young, inexperienced but does everything I ask of him like a 20 year old school horse.

One of those AHA! moments

I think I finally figured it out!
Well not it, her more like it.
Indigo to be exact. She can be such a brat.
I got the most AMAZING ride today. I have one of those "I love my horse more than anything" feelings.
She can be quite the bitch sometimes even going as far as throwing a little crow hop and even a little buck. I think I finally got her where that just poof, in one instant goes away.
It's simple. I have no clue why I haven't see it before, maybe because I ride english too much.
I ask for collection and contact and she shakes her head and tries to stick out her nose.
I ask for an upward transition and she balks, sometimes trying acrobatics.

Today I decided to sit tall in the saddle and hold my reins with one hand on the buckle, resting near her withers. I carried a crop, just in case she tried to stick her head down and eat those oh so tempting grasses and weeds.
She was a complete ANGEL. OMG! I asked for a trot, she carried on forward not even a flick of her ear. When I asked for a canter she effortlessly hopped up and carried on down strait and true. She wanted to stretch so I gave her the length of the reins. She cantered with her head between her knees (shes never been trained to do that or ever done it before because I have usually had some kind of contact on the reins) Her back cracked and she was limber and really enjoying herself with her ears forward cantering and then galloping down the trail.

How many of you could/would dare to gallop your horse on a loose rein? It's all in the training.

I love my horse

The things I love about my girl

After putting straw into the barn today I took Suzy away from Stormy for the first time. She squawked once, Stormy hollered three times and went out into the paddock to enjoy the miserable fly crazy day.

Things I love about Suzy:

• She is THE push button horse. You say go and shes already going. You say woah and she woahs (though shes always eager to get going again)
• Would never pull back when tied, ever.
• I just get this understanding with her that I have never got with another horse. She seems to know what to do in certain situations that you would never expect a horse to pick up on.
  
• She loves to be clipped. She stands stock still.
  
• She loves fly spray. Sometimes you can spray her with water and she stops stomping
• She LOOOOVES to be driven. Today she trotted faster under the cart that I have ever had her trot....until we hit a rock and burst the tube in the tire of the cart. We line drove home
• Shes pretty much bomb proof when it comes to scary things. She hates whips, nailguns and loud random noises
• Is oh so gentle about taking treats from you. I could feed her with my fingertips and they would still be in tact.
• Shes THEBOSS no questions asked.
• Shes also a total diva (except the mud, she loves mud)
  
• Shes very sure and confident of herself. God help you if she gets out. She don't give a damn that the other horses have already been caught shes going on her own run to the beat of her own drum.
• Once you get to know her and know how to ride her crazy bumpy gait she will do anything for you
• shes always aiming to please
• Shes hot, but very manageable and smart
• Shes an amazing mom
• Shes an amazing horse for kids. She calms right down no matter what.
  
• I could go on forever....

Indigo. Now theres some things about her that drive me nuts but shes got soooo many awesome traits.

• Never, ever would pull back when tied
• Never, ever panics and bolts
• Never, ever would kick you
• Always looking for attention.
  
• Always greets me and comes cantering when I call her.
  
• Makes cute fluttery-nostril nickers at me when she knows I have grain or treats
• Is totally trainable with food
• Is oh so smart and calm about new situations. Never panics where you think a normal horse would.
  
• Catches on to things in a millisecond.
  
• LOOOOOVES to be groomed.
• Knows when theres kids around
• Likes baths (shes white, theres a bonus)
• Loves fly spray
• Tolerates all the random wierd things I do to her like sticking my hat on her head or a crop in the crownpiece of her halter or even flapping a big ass scary tarp at her and then putting it on her (she was quivering the whole time, it was hilarious)
  
• Loves to be wormed. She practically takes the syringe out of my hands.
• Has a very reliable woah.
  
• Has an almost equal go
• Is always curious about things and makes me laugh when she sneaks around and gets into the barn or is sticking her head on my dads shoulder wile hes weed whipping.
  
• Sneaks into the barnyard before the other horses do so she can creep around and eat their left over hay without being interrupted by the other horses wile I clean the shelter/put feed out.
• Leads amazing
• Trailers amazing
• Is like the puddle/lake/pond/ditch master. She swims, goes through puddles, down and back up HUGE ditches. Shes always had this thing about trying to drink out of every puddle she comes across. Will elaborate later.
• Is made of teflon. She rolls in the mud (keep in mind she IS white) and it just slicks right off and it's still wet and she looks white :O. Shes also, though all the numerous injuries shes had never been lame *knock on wood*
• I am sure I will think of more later

So what makes you love your horse so much?