Tuesday, December 29, 2015

My Boys

Pedro and Duncan are getting along well. They aren't best friends but I think the potential is there. Duncan is pushy because he's scared (usually the low man in the herd), and Pedro only slightly responds to his snarky looks. Pedro is a bold soul.

Pedro is also a shameless beggar.
 He always knows when I have treats.

Speaking of treats, using them as a reward during hoof handling lessons with Duncan is turning out to be only slightly helpful, so I'm changing tactics. If he can't hold still, I'll move him a little more than he wants to. We'll see how it goes. He's so sensitive, and yet kind of resistant. I have to be very careful about how I present my energy, while also expecting specific results. I guess that's true of any interaction with any horse, you just have to dial it up or down according to the situation and individual.

Huckleberry and Blue are still having the same armed truce they usually do. They still aren't allowed to go outside together, but inside they're ok.

My back is still pretty fragile but I'm trying to get back to life as usual. I have the next week off of work because my boss is on vacation. Hopefully I'll be good as ever by the time I go back. I need to start doing some strengthening exercises, but as with the horse work, it's a bit of a balancing act between benefit and damage.



3 comments:

Kara said...

I feel for you Andrea, I'm in the same condition...I've thrown my back out twice this fall doing stuff with horse feet. Both times on clients horses, not mine, and it was just looking for abscesses and they were well behaved. The first time it took me 3 weeks to get back to normal visiting the chiropractor many times. I've discovered it's my core strength lacking. I've started doing planks, and requested yoga videos for Christmas...hoping to get back into the game soon. I have 2 horses of my own in major need of trimming but they've been put on the backburner because they aren't high priority enough to risk damaging my back again. Thinking I might have to start having a real farrier out. :/

Andrea -Mustang Saga said...

I often dream of having a real farrier out. Oh, wouldn't that be nice? Until they did a bad job or kept not showing up...

I hope your back heals up well, without any setbacks. Mine is gradually improving. We got an elliptical for Christmas, and with some good lower body stretches afterward, it seems to be helping. Can't do anything targeting my back just yet, but I'm sleeping through the night, so that's good!

Linda said...

It's so tough when you injure your back because it's almost impossible to rest it. Hope you get better soon. Happy New Year!