h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

This one is a really sharp cookie!

http://screen.yahoo.com/mr-eds-evil-cousin-breaks-163000158.html

Smart, or just bored?

That's why you should always close both bolts, I suppose.

Do you think more excercise would help? She's really pretty.

Yes, maybe she's just bored - people don't seem to realise that horses are better off living outside in herds, rather than in boxes.

I agree - she's gorgeous!

Yes like parrots, they are really social animals and get much more out of befriending each other than humans.

True - in Scandinavia, it's now illegal to keep a horse on its own!

I'm enjoying doing groundwork with my loaner horse, though - it's good bonding and gives him something sensible to do. He's smart, but bored, so we're starting circus tricks. That will also give him a way to get food without being pushy and getting into my space - much better to teach him I'll give him treats for being good!

Cool what tricks are you planning on teaching him? Are you going to be riding him bareback?

I don't think I'll be riding bareback, since he's a bit jumpy - but I use a treeless saddle which has a closer contact anyway. At the moment, we're practicing the basics - following without a lead rope, backing up and yielding sideways, standing still, the things you'd practice with a dog, too.

But I hope to get on to more complicated things soon. And if he learns it is a) fun and b) safe to be alone with me as the leader, it'll be much nicer to ride out as well.

Sometimes I end up just scratching his back for 15 minutes, and he goes to sleep

Have a good time with him.

Thanks.

Thought you might enjoy this video - those are the type of thing I might work on... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=si7p23Nex-g&feature=share

Well I hope you don't bond that strongly with him. I doubt that the NI officials would be keen on the horse following you around in your car.

Maybe if I put a headlight and taillight on him...

Check your email for your now belated birthday card, Mala. Are you feeling better now? Don't let those trogldyte roomies of your get to you!

Thanks, Elektra. Still a bit bleh, and rather angry, but I should be ok to go to work tomorrow.

How are you getting on, Mala? Are you back at work? I hope you can find some better living arrangements that are affordable --can you live in the stable with your trainee horse? A better sort of roomie.

Yes, he'd be more pleasant to live with, certainly.

Just had a nice weekend away in the country, visiting friends. My faith in humanity is restored.

How are you doing?

Not too well currently. But with warmer weather maybe things will improve.

Hope you get some good sunshine, then!