Monday, April 14, 2014

off to school.

Saturday was the big day for Geroge-ous. Apparently he knew something was up, and decided to play catch me if you can in the pasture. When he saw us hook up the trailer, I just knew there was going to be trouble. All of the monsters thought it meant they had to go to work, and didn't want to be caught. So about 5-10 minutes of walking around in circles, I was able to catch him when he decided he needed to poop. Caught you sucker!
Next up trailer loading. If any of you remember, last fall my husband worked all afternoon on training George to basically self load. Point at the trailer, and George would hop on up. Apparently winter was too long, and he forgot how to get into the trailer. A few more minutes of shenanigans and then he was loaded into the trailer. Screaming and crying to his buddies that were left at home. In hopes that maybe they would come rescue him. Nope. Sorry buddy, you are going to school!
We had to stop at the vet clinic to pick up a health certificate for him. In the 16 miles from home to the clinic, he managed to work himself up into a sweaty, fire breathing beast. When we unloaded him he was a mess, but the vet did his thing, and after a quick 10 minute visit with the vet, it was time to get him back into the trailer, which apparently, he had forgotten how to load again. a few more shenanigans, and we were loaded and on the road again.
Once we arrived at the trainer, i hopped out and went to find her while hubby unloaded the beast. He had calmed down and wasn't so sweaty this time. But he looked like a hag. I had him cleaned up the day before, but from the time I went to go get a light nylon sheet to put on him, to prevent him from getting dirty again, he found a nice mud pit to roll in. At that point I'd given up. It's spring in North Dakota. All horses are pretty disgusting, whatever. He will be fine. We brought him into the barn, and tucked him into a stall. Once in his stall he exhibited some behaviors I've never seen him do before. He started eating the wood wall of the stall, and then he started weaving and then he bobbed his head around. Once we gave him some hay, he settled right down. I'd seen those behaviors at the race track, but usually not all by the same horse. But anything George does, doesn't really surprise me. He is one of a kind.
I went over everything with the trainer, and filled out some paperwork. My husband told me that I kind of made George sound like a monster to the trainer and assistant barn manager. I went into detail about how when feeding him, you need to keep a sharp eye on him, as he can get aggressive, and to keep an eye on him in the stall because he might come after you. When grooming keep one eye on his mouth, it might come after you if he gets upset. Basically don't turn your back on him because he will try to eat you. Now was I grossly over exaggerating... yes. But I just don't want to get a call, text or email saying "your horse bit 'so and so' today! Why didn't you tell us he was like that?!" He's not as bad as I make him out to be. I mean he has his moments, but I haven't had any problems with him in a really long time. His connections at the track have told me that if he doesn't trust someone, he will be a holy terror to them as he can be a bully.
So hopefully his time at the trainer, he will learn all kinds of things. I'm not sure how long we are keeping him there, and we were going to play it by ear. I am hoping to hear today about how he was for her. Fingers crossed that he has been on his best behavior. I haven't gotten any calls saying 'get him the hell off this property' so I mean thats a good sign right?

4 comments:

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    1. I think he will! His trainer has plenty of OTTB experience so i think they will do great together!

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  2. Here's hoping he puts his thinking cap on and behaves!

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    1. You and me both! Trainer currently has all of her fingers, and she hasn't told me to come get him out of their barn... so that's a positive.

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