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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

No Fraidy Cats Here!

2/10/2015

 
If I tried to carry a ladder, even a tiny one, into Speedy's stall and paddock, he would FLIP OUT. Izzy? I could barely squeeze the ladder past him.

I am sure you're wondering why I would even need a ladder in Izzy's stall; he's not THAT tall. Well, a few days ago, Izzy dug a hole. Not just a groove from pawing, but a hole that would have required a shovel and two hours worth of work had I dug it.
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It's so deep that you can't even see the bottom.
The first day, I filled it in and then took him for a long walk. The next day, the whole was re-dug, sitting there inviting a broken leg. Rather than fill it in, I decided to give Izzy something else to work on. He has two Jolly Balls, and I know he plays with them as they are on the outside of his paddock on most days. From photos that his previous owner shared, I know that he liked to play even when he lived in a huge pasture.
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Izzy at nearly two. Photo courtesy of Noemi.
I brought the ladder in so that I could hang one of the Jolly Balls from the roof so that he couldn't kick it out of the paddock.
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He wanted to get closer to it, but he wasn't quite sure ...
Once I had the ladder set up, he immediately came over to study it, but he was cautious. Had I left it there longer, I am certain he would have tried to pick it up and move it. I haven't shared this story yet, but a week or so ago I found a manure fork discarded in his stall. It's not one that we use regularly, so I was really puzzled as to who might have left it there. And really, no one at this barn would be so careless. 

After looking around, I realized that none of us ever use that fork. I wasn't even sure where it had come from. Then I noticed that some of our sharper tools were not hanging on their hooks on the back of the tack room wall. The answer became clear: Izzy had reached over the partition and taken it off of its hook. The fence is taller than I am and the tools are hanging several feet from the edge of his stall.

Somehow, he not only grabbed the manure fork, but he also managed to get it over the fence and into his stall without hitting the roof of the barn or hurting himself. Even if I stood on the ladder, I wouldn't have been able to reach that fork and wrangle it over the wall!

Needless to say, all of the tools have been moved or lowered as well as all of the items within reach on the brown cabinet. You can see the fence and cabinet in the photo below but not the row of tools. Sydney was in this stall for three years and never even thought about reaching over.
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Who me?!?!?
As I was on the ladder, Izzy stood in the far corner watching me, but he wasn't afraid like most horses would be. There was no snorting as I slipped the rope over the rafter and swung the ball around testing it's length. I went up and down the ladder several times making adjustments while he watched in fascination.
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He was dying to come over and check it out.
I wasn't even out of the gate before he was rubbing his head all over that ball. I don't know that he'll be entertained enough to stop digging, but maybe it will give him something else to do while he heals.
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He's just so darned cute!
Austen link
2/9/2015 10:20:26 pm

Hahaha! You'll have to collaborate with Jen of Cobjockey on ways to entertain an intensely curious horse!

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/10/2015 10:18:28 am

It's certainly a challenge. :0)

Tracy link
2/9/2015 11:49:12 pm

Oh my goodness, that's crazy! Izzy certainly is starting to show his personality more and more!!

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/10/2015 10:19:06 am

Sometimes scarily! He's getting a bit cocky, actually. :0)

Genny link
2/10/2015 01:06:56 am

What a goof! I love him watching you get his toy ready.

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/10/2015 10:19:47 am

He was definitely vibrating with curiosity. :0)

Cathryn link
2/10/2015 01:13:43 am

Silly boy!

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/10/2015 10:22:20 am

:0)

emma link
2/10/2015 01:19:01 am

good for him! i love a horse with an inquisitive nature - tho it's certainly a bit of work keeping them occupied lol

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/10/2015 10:23:52 am

Agreed. :0)

hammerhorses
2/10/2015 05:54:04 am

LOL! My ponies see a ladder and come running - why, you may ask... becausewe usethe ladder to prune and pick our apple trees. I was pruning them a week ago and had to chase them off because I was afraid one of them was going to climb up there with me! (I should mention though that the 2 in question think that they're human, so that explains 99% of their oddities!)

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/10/2015 10:24:28 am

Bwahahahaha - too funny!!!!!!! :0)

AareneX link
2/10/2015 07:20:21 am

Karen Chaton's horse Bo is incurably curious also--he's made major inroads on dismantling her barn. Maybe if you send her a note, she will give you ideas about toys for gotta-put-it-in-my-mouth ponies!

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/10/2015 10:24:57 am

Darn trouble makers!!! :0)


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I am a lifelong rider. 
    I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
    ​Welcome to my dressage journey.
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    Photo by Lori Ovanessian

    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
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    July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)

    About Izzy

    Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

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    National Rider Awards

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Site Designed and Managed by: Karen Sweaney

Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home