Routines

Abner gets really mouthy when I give him too many treats. I have made it a habit to give him a treat when I take him out of his stall, after he works, and before I turn him out. It's become quite routine for him, but sometimes he gets extra treats when friends come over.

He doesn't really "bite" at all, he just seems to think that every time I move, I'm giving him a treat. :) He does this thing where he'll mouth my arm or jacket, and he seems to understand that teeth=BAD. I've had to give him a quick smack when he forgets, though. Especially when I have the good stuff, like apples and carrots.

I also have started a routine where his bridle=work. He knows that when he gets his bridle put on we're going to actually do something. (Lunging, riding, etc). When I ride him around bareback in a halter and leadrope, he seems to know that we're just playing- we play this game where we trot around as fast as possible, and he loves it!

He's also gotten quite used to not being allowed to eat with the bridle on- it's not good for him and it also makes his bridle really messy! It's been a while since he's tried to put his head down to eat with it on.

When he gets cuts on his legs, I spray it with this purple stuff (totally forget what it's called, Cindy gave it to me), and Abner hates it. Absolutely HATES it. We had a couple discussions about this medicine, and we finally came to an agreement. He's allowed to step in place, but the second he starts to try to run over me or get away, that's when I correct him. It's gotten to the point where I can go spray his cuts in the field with just a leadrope over his neck.


I love my horse and all of his funny quirks. It's so much fun to learn what his buttons are!




(This is his "treat?!?!" face!)