Tuesday was another night of little sleep, this time due to Piper and Raven squealing (loudly) while playing dominance games. I think we need to spring for AC instead of opening our window at night.
Piper has a preferred corner of the pen to hang out. Raven apparently decided she wanted that corner. I peaked out my window at dawn and saw Piper pinned in her corner with Raven kicking the tar out of her. Piper is like twice the size of Raven. You'd think she would be the boss, but that is not the pecking order.
When I went to saddle Piper, I had to doctor several hoof-shaped cuts and scrapes. She was clearly tender in those areas and when I asked her to go faster, she gimped ever so slightly. I unsaddled her, gave her some Bute (horse ibuprofen) and turned her out to pasture. I was able to use her for lessons today, but had to keep her at a walk or she'd show signs of limping again. Raven doesn't have a mark on her. Horses...they're worse than kids sometimes!
I am pleased with Raven in that she finally relaxed enough to start gaiting a bit when Kid 1 was riding her today. Raven spent 2 years with a lady that encouraged her to trot rather than gait. (Oh, the horror! If you want a trotting horse, please purchase one rather than ruining a gaited horse!! OK. Rant done.) Prior to those two years, Raven reputedly had a beautiful, smooth gait. Since she's been here, I've only seen her trot. Today was a huge break through.
Piper has a preferred corner of the pen to hang out. Raven apparently decided she wanted that corner. I peaked out my window at dawn and saw Piper pinned in her corner with Raven kicking the tar out of her. Piper is like twice the size of Raven. You'd think she would be the boss, but that is not the pecking order.
When I went to saddle Piper, I had to doctor several hoof-shaped cuts and scrapes. She was clearly tender in those areas and when I asked her to go faster, she gimped ever so slightly. I unsaddled her, gave her some Bute (horse ibuprofen) and turned her out to pasture. I was able to use her for lessons today, but had to keep her at a walk or she'd show signs of limping again. Raven doesn't have a mark on her. Horses...they're worse than kids sometimes!
I am pleased with Raven in that she finally relaxed enough to start gaiting a bit when Kid 1 was riding her today. Raven spent 2 years with a lady that encouraged her to trot rather than gait. (Oh, the horror! If you want a trotting horse, please purchase one rather than ruining a gaited horse!! OK. Rant done.) Prior to those two years, Raven reputedly had a beautiful, smooth gait. Since she's been here, I've only seen her trot. Today was a huge break through.
Piper at last year's 4-H fair.
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