(no subject)
Today, as I was feeding/watering/shoveling/brushing/picking feet out in the corrals, it occurred to me that in just a couple of weeks there will be a new horse here on my farm for the first time in years. And, I mean, of course there will be! I spent three weeks filling out paperwork, moving fences, studying horses, tweaking my budget, and talkingtalkingtalking with my husband just to make even the *possibility* of this happen. I knew I wanted a new horse, knew I could be ready for a new horse.
But still. It's unnerving to think about, all of a sudden.
I know my horses so well, y'see. Getting to know a new one is awesome! It's one of the bits about horse keeping that I love the most: the fact that horses are all slightly different, and finding out who they are and what makes them tick can be endlessly fascinating.
But right now I know nothing about The New Filly. I don't even know what color she is. I don't know how she'll respond to human interaction or what sort of methods will work best for her. I don't know how athletic she is or will be - though I can guess from her photos - and I don't know what she'll look like when she's grown. I don't know what she'll have a talent for or a willingness to do, and I don't know whether we'll click or clash.
All of which I knew going in, and all of which I've handled before. It's part of the mystery of getting a new horse when you've only just seen photographs (for better or worse.) And mustangs are really interesting because you don't have a pedigree to fall back on, and their life experiences are so vast compared to most domestic horses of the same age. I like the unknown!
But it's also slightly anxious-making, when I stop to think about it.
I have spent so long with my horses, learning from and working with and watching them. I know that Brisa likes rabbits and Ranger likes birds and Gypsy doesn't like much at all. Brisa will eat anything I give her, Ranger's favorite treat is a carrot, and Gypsy is crazy for alfalfa or butterscotch. Brisa paws the ground five times before rolling in the dust, Ranger circles twice like a dog, and Gypsy won't roll if anyone is watching. Ranger dunks every mouthful of hay in his water tank before eating it, and Brisa won't drink if there's grass in hers. Gypsy likes neon-colored ropes but won't go near a brown or green one unless it's to stomp the thing into the ground. Brisa bucks under a western saddle but stands stock-still in the middle of the pasture for my treeless. Gypsy is afraid of crop dusters but likes to lick the paint on my pickup truck. Ranger has a sense of humor.
I love each of them for different reasons. What will I love about the new one?
Each of my mustangs have presented (continue to present) different challenges. What will the new horse require me to learn in order to best teach? Will I be up to the task or am I getting in over my head without even knowing it?
I am so impatient to meet her, to bring her home and start working with her. I hate waiting because all I do is worry. :P
But still. It's unnerving to think about, all of a sudden.
I know my horses so well, y'see. Getting to know a new one is awesome! It's one of the bits about horse keeping that I love the most: the fact that horses are all slightly different, and finding out who they are and what makes them tick can be endlessly fascinating.
But right now I know nothing about The New Filly. I don't even know what color she is. I don't know how she'll respond to human interaction or what sort of methods will work best for her. I don't know how athletic she is or will be - though I can guess from her photos - and I don't know what she'll look like when she's grown. I don't know what she'll have a talent for or a willingness to do, and I don't know whether we'll click or clash.
All of which I knew going in, and all of which I've handled before. It's part of the mystery of getting a new horse when you've only just seen photographs (for better or worse.) And mustangs are really interesting because you don't have a pedigree to fall back on, and their life experiences are so vast compared to most domestic horses of the same age. I like the unknown!
But it's also slightly anxious-making, when I stop to think about it.
I have spent so long with my horses, learning from and working with and watching them. I know that Brisa likes rabbits and Ranger likes birds and Gypsy doesn't like much at all. Brisa will eat anything I give her, Ranger's favorite treat is a carrot, and Gypsy is crazy for alfalfa or butterscotch. Brisa paws the ground five times before rolling in the dust, Ranger circles twice like a dog, and Gypsy won't roll if anyone is watching. Ranger dunks every mouthful of hay in his water tank before eating it, and Brisa won't drink if there's grass in hers. Gypsy likes neon-colored ropes but won't go near a brown or green one unless it's to stomp the thing into the ground. Brisa bucks under a western saddle but stands stock-still in the middle of the pasture for my treeless. Gypsy is afraid of crop dusters but likes to lick the paint on my pickup truck. Ranger has a sense of humor.
I love each of them for different reasons. What will I love about the new one?
Each of my mustangs have presented (continue to present) different challenges. What will the new horse require me to learn in order to best teach? Will I be up to the task or am I getting in over my head without even knowing it?
I am so impatient to meet her, to bring her home and start working with her. I hate waiting because all I do is worry. :P