play date – Zen and the Art of Baby Horse Management

This week on The Owls Approve Blog Hop, we’re talking about our horses’ favourite things!

Fave.

What is your horse’s absolute favorite thing? Outside of riding! Are there treats that instantly convert your pony into an addict or liniments that leave him yawning and chewing? What does your horse just love to have?

M’s fave would be a toss up between three things: our barn manager’s attentions (he ADORES her), clicker training (he loves treats, and somehow working for treats makes them even better?), and playing with his BFF. Frankly, whichever is his fave probably depends on the day, but at the moment Murray is pretty hot and heavy with Connor.

I’m sure once everyone’s back on regular turnout and Connor is just following Murray around looking for attention, things will be slightly less hectic. Which I am seriously looking forward to, because Murray is absolutely covered in play-love bites right now and his hair is peeling off in chunks with the scrapes. Which is fine, I totally respect his agency and autonomy and right to be a horse, but when show season comes around my vanity gets the better of me and I want my sleek, shiny, fatboy to be the horse that shows up.

Since it’s winter though, I’m cool with playbites and everything is adorable and loveydovey. Except that Connor got a really big hoof abscess that’s led to some complications, so fingers crossed for Big Red right now. I’m sure once he’s back in action, Murray will do his absolute best to nurse him back to health. Suuuuuure.

Wednesday is normally my jump lesson day, so I often call it Hump Day Jump Day. Alas, lessons were cancelled today for inclement weather — the rain was coming in sideways in the indoor! Because of this, of course, the sun was shining as soon as I got to the barn and stayed that way for a few hours. So T and I had ourselves a little pony playdate with Murray (mine) and Connor (hers).

Murray catching the big air.