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Thursday, October 5, 2017

Training the Not-Hot Horse: The Unexpected

Small observations about Zoe-keeping that definitely caught me by surprise:

1) When there are no withers to keep your ass in the center, riding bareback requires actual skills and muscles
not pictured: skill or muscles. Plus Zoe and Lewis the Corgi.
pictured: both skill and muscles
In my defense, bareback riding hasn't been in my repertoire for many years, but now I have a horse that is safe, comfy, and fun. I'm working on it. Let's just say that.

2) It's almost impossible to keep her from putting her smooshy nose on everything--it's a part of her favorite game called "PUTS IT ONNA GROUND".
doorknob ONNA GROUND
I mean. Her smooshy nose is a major selling point so I'm not complaining. My barnmates might be less thrilled come winter and taking turns in the indoor.

3) It's nearly as impossible to pry visitors off said smooshy nose.
SMOOSH

I mean really.

4) She's a bit like keeping a buffalo in the barn--wooly coat, tape fences optional, and corner feeders are made to be removed when dinner isn't fast enough.
Courtesy of Courage Has Opinions

I'd say she's not my BO's favorite, but Courage definitely had his own set of challenging quirks that made him not-barn-favorite either. Let's just say she has be managed more like a force of nature than a horse. 

5) Zero-shits-given is Zoe's approach to life, which is fantastic and exactly what I need. It does require some mindset adjustments on my part though. 
hacking through the scary corner like NBD
I have a set of coping mechanisms I developed to deal with Courage's various antics. While they were useful at the time, they keep getting in the way of me riding Zoe effectively. Next up: putting weight in the right stirrup and breathing on windy days.

Zoe is such a fun horse to work with. I look forward to continuing to learn about her.

33 comments:

  1. grain 10 minutes late? zoe smash.

    i wish you were closer as i desperately want to kiss and squish her lips like a bloodhound.

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  2. ZB also has opinions, just different ones than C šŸ˜† haha

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  3. Her redecorating is much easier to fix than Stinker's remodeling. Love me some ZB

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  4. Ugh so smooshy looking!! I want to smooshy her nose toooooooo

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  5. Can we start calling her ZeroShitsZoe?

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    1. 1) yes
      2) now I kinda want to register with USEF as "ZSZ Zoƫbird"

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    2. ummmm do it. ZSZ Zoebird. It's her life motto and is amazing. Also, will make her sound like some super fancy import and will automatically increase your chances of kicking butt.

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  6. Her face is so wonderful! My new kid actually broke a stall wall when someone dared to look at her while she was eating... so cheers to new ponies and their weird ass hobbies :D

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  7. The smooshy nose is the cutest. Other plus is every color looks great on her.

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  8. There really is nothing like a smooshy nose.

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  9. I mean, you could just trust the wind to inflate your lungs for you...

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  10. I think I need a smooshy nose in my life.

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  11. Also, props to the corgi in the first pic - that's so cute

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  12. Omg I just love her. She's a force of nature lol

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  13. She's a smaller version of Jack! Constantly touching things, breaks stuff, not always the barn owner's favorite.... :D

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  14. "redecorating" lololol

    I hear you on the baggage we carry from other horses. Stan and Zoe are the same re: no fucks given and I find myself tensing up at the silliest of times riding him (thanks, Q). It's nice to be able to let go of those fears though (even though I have a very hard time doing that lol) and enjoy that fun, easy ride. I'm so happy for you that you've got such solid little citizen to enjoy things with now. Her beauty and totally smooshable nose are huge bonuses ;-p

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    1. I keep reminding myself that I have to ride better or I'm going to share my baggage with her. It's a challenge, but it's fun.

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