Madison rattling the unlatched ate

My Connemara stallion, Kerrymor Madison, has never been one to get into trouble. It has always been his farm friends who undo the gate latches or participate in other types of pony and llama antics. Often, those of us who know animals think of the houdinis as the smart ones. You hear, "They are so clever. There isn't a latch that can contain her."

On Wednesday morning, Madison reminded me that smart and clever doesn't always mean one is a latch undoer! He likes to think of himself as a good boy and one who knows the rules. I'm not saying he doesn't occasionally break the rules, but on most days, he likes order on the farm.

Wednesday morning when I was cleaning the barn, I kept hearing, "chink, chink, chink." I assumed it was Madison at the gate, but it was an unusual sound. He is not a pony who paws at gates or who messes with gate latches. But on it went, rattle, rattle, rattle, chink, chink, chink. So I went out to see what was going on. Ah hah. "Miss Vickie, you left the gate chain hanging the night before on the last pass through the gate with hay for the llamas."

I even remembered doing that and thinking, be sure to get that gate chain back on before quitting for the night! Madison wanted to make sure that I knew he had found the unlatched gate. He even showed me that he could put his neck over the top and push it forward or pull it back. But with each move of the gate, he placed it back in the closed position when done. Then, rattle, rattle, rattle, rattle, chink, chink, chink!

Thank you Madison, for staying in your pasture and paddock, and for not letting the llamas out with you. I'm sure they also appreciate that you didn't come in and eat their hay. You are a very, very good boy!

by Vickie J. Maris, Dawn of Promise Farm
http://www.dawnofpromisefarm.com/

Sharing the magic of a bareback ride on a special Connemara pony

Many things magical exist about a horse. I am reminded of this whenever I spend time with my Connemaras. Just what is it about a horse that can keep you warm during a ride on a very cold day? Yes, maybe your cheeks get red and your toes start to chill, but a horse willingly shares her warmth with all parts of her human that make connection with her majestic frame.

The ride on Savannah was significant this evening - not only because she kept me warm on a frigid night, but because she took each step with confidence and without pain. She has battled issues with laminitis on and off throughout the year, which cause her feet to be sore. But managing her diet carefully with the help of our veterinarian has brought her to this wonderful point of being able to join me for a ride again. I'm grateful for her happy spirit and for the joy she so obviously shares with me in going for a bareback ride on a snowy evening.

Here's a brief video clip taken from the back of Savannah during our ride.