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