As I’ve mentioned before Whisper and I are working on backing up. He’s got it down pretty well and he definitely respects that stick tapping front of him. But the big motivator seems to be body language. When we feed I enter the pasture with both his and Spice’s grain. They both have their designated eating spots. Sometimes I feed Spice first, sometimes Whisper. Today I ducked under the tape by Spice’s spot just as Whisper decided to claim said spot for his own. Now you don’t mess with Spice when it comes to food. She squared off to kick at him, he spun around to reciprocate, and Spice pushed into me. She planted her little foot on mine and squished it into the mud. A lot of mud was flying around until they got it worked out. I don’t remember who won. I called Spice back over and gave her her grain then went after Whisper. Walking towards him, shaking my finger I gave him an earful on manners and that big baby moved back out of my space and never took his eyes off me during the entire lecture. The look on his face was priceless. “Yes m’am;” “how high m’am?” It had to be the body language that got through to him. I was moving toward him with what he viewed as intent and he got out of the way with alacrity. I was in charge in that instance.
As soon as I left the pasture he made sure everyone knew he was back in charge. When Doc went to see if there was anything left in Whisper’s grain dish Whisper ran him off with a great show of bucking and kicking and squealing. Then, as he stood there taking a bow, Doc circled behind and finished his dinner for him. Spice was busy making sure the alfalfa was on its way. TeeHee. Horses are so entertaining.
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