While I was up in Wisconsin for the Birkebeiner, Robin graciously took care of Sham for the vet visit (I really have an amazing wife). He was mostly good for the appointment, but still I worried that he would hold onto a few bad memories when I went out to see him next. Afterall, I’ve… Read more »
Horse Thoughts
Home Stretch
Today I took Brian’s new saddle to the barn. It’s just like mine, only black, and we think Sham will look pretty sharp showing it off. I adore mine. Hopefully Brian will like his, too The saddle was not the only reason I headed out there today. When I arrived I got a stall set… Read more »
Friends
Yesterday Brian and I went again to the barn in the afternoon and I gave my well-behaved Steen the day off. Brian and I once again focused on Sham and building positive experiences that involve us and going indoors. Yesterday, we had a great one. Sham left his afternoon snack to meet us at the… Read more »
Continual Progress
Today was the fourth day in a row that I have worked with Sham. In those four days I’ve seen some excellent behavior, some running away, some discomfort, some attempts to please, and now some definite, happy submission to me, the boss. Again Sham came to me in the pasture. He was much friendlier than… Read more »
Praise
Sham is a big, strong guy who is used to a firm hand. And over the past week I have been trying to be that firm hand. The problem is, I don’t send very strong signals (I’m used to working with Steen and Cal, who really don’t respond to a firm hand). Thankfully Sham is… Read more »
Steen the Great
Both days this weekend Brian and I headed out to the barn in the morning. Yesterday things didn’t start off great. Sham decided to give us a bit of a run-around when we went out to catch him and we only succeeded in getting his halter on after coaxing him into the airlock with a… Read more »
Forward and Backward
On Saturday we woke up nice and early, and after our leisurely routine of coffee and breakfast, we headed off to the barn. It was super quiet when we arrived. Only Cathi, the owner, was there. We chatted for a few minutes and then Robin and I walked out to get our respective horses. The… Read more »
Friday at the Barn
Shortly after Robin got Steen, we started spending the occasional Friday evening at the barn. It was quite relaxing. Not only was it the end of the week, but most people didn’t go to the barn at that time, so we would have the place to ourselves. We hadn’t done it in awhile, but Robin… Read more »
Cheating
It always seems that when one is shopping for a horse, one either stumbles across the right one a little sooner or a little later than is really ideal. Sham came a bit early, since Brian has been working towards racing the Birkie for nine months. His race is a week from Saturday, and he’s… Read more »
Mr. Friendly
When I visited Sham over the weekend he eagerly came to me both days. I took this as a very good sign. I have not gone to see him this week as I’ve been busy preparing for a ski race, but Robin was out there today. When she went to get Steen, who lives in… Read more »