Sunday, April 22, 2012

Familiarity

There's something to be said about familiarity, especially when it comes to horses.


I've had all three of these horses for most of their lives.  Albeit Bambi and Fabian have had other owners and Paula was in a disastrous lease for a year, but for the most part, we've been together long enough that we're all pretty much used to each other by now.

And it's really kind of nice.


For example, all three of these kids will load up into my two-horse straight-load trailer without hesitation.  All three are easy to clip and bathe.  All three actually like being fly-sprayed (and insist on it every non-winter day).  All three know the blanketing routine.  All three have a solidified vaccination and deworming schedule.  I know the hoof-history on all three and know when I trim them that they know what my expectations are.  In other words, we all get along pretty darned well here.


Such are the advantages of familiarity, just like when Paula turns that big ole white butt to me...


...I know she isn't threatening me--she just wants a scratch.



Sure, familiarity isn't exactly the most exciting thing since sliced bread


But there is a lot to say about knowing the crowd you're with, and them knowing you.

~J

4 comments:

Krazy Cindy said...

I agree completely. I always feel the most comfortable around my own horses :-)

Alan T Hainkel said...

Looks like they're fun to photograph too...

MTWaggin said...

Familiarity...also known as best friends. A lot to be said for those horses that are that easy to care for!

Lisa said...

I couldn't have said it better. There is a comfort factor with familiarity that can't be beat. 5 of my horses have been with me forever & a day so there are no doubts about what goes on. Samson has been with me 2.5 years and we're now getting in to that strong comfort level.
Love the pictures!
Lisa