Horse personality fun: Speck-The Skeptic

I am going to do a short series on my horses based on their results from a horse personality quiz (click for quiz). I don't really put a lot of stock in this kind of stuff but thought it would be fun to try and see how my horses scored. 

Speck-The Skeptic

"To be happy this horse needs to be doing a small, quiet, repetitive job that may seem boring and unexciting to other personalities. They do not need or want a lot of attention or accolades. Just leave them to their simple tasks. If anything goes wrong, the Skeptic will look for someone to blame, and chances are, it will be you."

This is pretty much correct for Speck, he knows his job and his place in the world and does not look to me often for reassurance. However, if something goes wrong he not only remembers what happened but he remembers WHO is responsible for putting him in that situation (me!). 

Speck is a damn good hunt/trail horse and he is all business, as long as I stay out of his way we generally do very well.   

"The Skeptics, as one owner named them, need to come with an operator’s

manual. It is not called an owner’s manual because you
never really own them—they are their own person/horse.
In this manual the trouble shooting section would be
lengthy. They all have a long list of do’s and don’ts.They
will tell you if they like their job or not—believe them. It
will be in your best interest."

Also correct, he is very clear in his likes/dislikes and I have had to learn (and am still learning) the "do's and don'ts" along the way. 

"Their job can be simple.

It does not need to be a competitive career. They would be
happy as a trail horse, a ranch horse, a hunt horse, a rope
horse—any of these, just pick one. Once they understand
their job, they do not need constant riding or schooling.
What you had last month is what you will get this month.
They like consistency in their life, in their job and in you."

Mixed results here-yes he is happy to have a job he knows and understand but he does need consistent riding/schooling/handling to maintain respectful behavior on the ground and under saddle. 

Fall, and why it (mostly) sucks

Fall is one of those things that I feel is seriously overrated and overexposed. Even if you think you like it, you actually DON'T. There's no denying it, fall is basically the pre-season to the season of ultimate suck, winter. Here's why:

1. Almost winter-Is there really anything else that needs to be said? 

2. Everything is dying-Pastures are dead, trees are dying, there would be leaves everywhere at the farm but John cut all the trees down (winning) 

3. Rain rot/scratches/other skin crud-My horses seem to only have these problems during the cold rain in October/November 

4. The sunlight gets that weird orange-y tint in morning/evening-Which is bullshit...also the angle of the sun in the morning changes so it sears out my retinas on the drive to work 

5. Sweaters-I don't understand people who look forward to "sweater weather." Sweaters are dumb and itchy and attract ALL the hay and horse hair. 

...pumpkin spice lattes are good though

Cubbing begins!

It's been a while and work/getting 2nd cutting hay in has taken up a lot of my time and energy during the past few weeks. BUT cub hunting season started over labor day weekend and I have been hunting twice with Speck, he seems happy to get out and did great both times. Cubbing is usually slower going and more relaxed than the formal season (and warmer!) so it is actually one of my favorite parts of the hunting season. This year will be my first year foxhunting on public land (gamelands) whereas in the past I have always gone with hunts which utilized private land. This means I had to get my hunting license (luckily our local Wal mart has them and John went with me to explain what I needed to do).

This.

GPS track of first cubbing meet, will be interesting to use this app as the season progresses and see how things change.