DAY 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, & 124 - Hand Walking & Christmas

Last Saturday, "day 118," after a nice grooming, which he very much enjoyed, Possum was being so good that I decided to take him out for a hand walk before my gig that night after all. I was so happy I did. I clipped the lead line onto his halter - no chain over the nose - he was that chill - and we carefully edged our way up the icy driveway and onto the sanded road. We got to the top and stopped and looked both ways - naturally, Possum wanted to go right and up to the Dodge farm, but I asked him nicely to walk left and he obliged. Slowly, and with many stops to look along the way, we ambled down to the bottom of the hill and all the way down to Dr. Doyle's old place. I let him stop and sniff around now and then, and then we turned and started back up the hill. At the bottom of the hill, he suddenly got a little frisky - he put his head down to the ground and wiggled it back up and gave a little kick - I knew he was fresh and wanted to play! But, I asked him not to be that way with me on the ground by giving a little tug back and asked him to woah. Then we'd start walking again, and after a few paces, he'd start walking ahead and faster, so I'd say, "woah, woah." He stopped. We waited, then I said, "walk," and off we went again. I did that several times going back up the hill, and by the time we got to the top, he got the message - don't walk faster and ahead of me. Such a smart little pony.

Photo shoot at the bottom of the hill. :)

As a reward for his most excellent behavior, we continued on, up past the Rhoad's house (no barking Newfie's out this day), past the Dodge home (where we waved hello to Ms. Sadie laying on her futon in the garage), and carefully edged our way down the Dodge barn driveway, where we found a bunch of areas where the snow had melted back down to the grass! Oh boy! We nibbled around on the grassy areas while Big Mack watched us from the paddock gate. Then, we walked down to say hi to Big Mack, then back around the other side and up to the road again. Down part way to Lenny's, then back home, carefully edging our way back down our driveway to the barn and paddock. I was so pleased with how excellent and cool Possum was! Yeah! I took a bunch of photos of him that day.

Grass! (And saying hello to Big Mack) But, hey look, GRASS!!

Sunday, "day 119," he got fed and watered and his stall and paddock cleaned, and then we left for our afternoon gig at 2:30. He was cool with all that. Also, he got his very last dose of the Doxytetracycline medicine! (And yes, I'm sure I spelled that wrong!) No more medicine! When I got home, he was standing guard in his stall, and gave him one of the new big and sweet cookies I picked up for him at Paris Farmer's Union last week. He really loves those!

Monday, "day 120," and Christmas just around the corner. Much to do, and Possum was very gracious in my absence while I was running around trying to pull it all together. I did take the time to tie him up in the stall and give him a nice long grooming, though.

Tuesday, "day 121," and once again I was bustling about - he got the basics - hay, water, clean stall and paddock, and a grooming. I think I took him out for another short hand walk again - and again, he behaved beautifully. We really have a nice understanding between us now.

Wednesday, "day 122," and it was warming up but raining. Actually, it started with a light coating of snow, but over the day, switched to rain. Possum, as usual, spent a lot of time outside getting wet.. but eventually, he came in and stood in his stall to dry off. I did rub him down with towels to hurry the drying, but it really wasn't that cold, for a horsey, anyway. He got fed early, about 4:45, and then we went next door for Xmas Eve and a run to the church to watch Dad perform in the service. We got back around 10, I believe, and I gave him a cookie and sprinkled some of his favorite hay (the yummy sweet second cut) over his piles of regular hay. This makes him happy.

Thursday, "day 123," Christmas morning. Luckily, our family was planning on meeting up later in the afternoon, so I had all morning to do barn chores. The rains had finally stopped and the air was warm, almost spring like feeling! I picked the paddock well, and cleaned the stall and fluffed it all back up again. I took the electric water bucket into the house and scrubbed it clean, then refilled it to the top with fresh water. He had rolled outside and he had mud stains on all of his white parts, of course.. but, it was Christmas, so I let him hang out in his pajamas all day. He got his dinner of pellets and carrot skins early, about 3:15, and then I was over at Dad's for the next several hours, preparing and gorging on the Christmas dinner with the family, and sharing the small amount of gifts we all exchanged. When we got back around 8, Possum was holding court and very relaxed. I gave him a Christmas cookie and sprinkled some of the sweet 2nd cut into his stall, and topped off his water bucket. He was happy.

Friday, "day 124," and the air was still warmish - in the 30's, anyway, which is hot for this time of year in Maine! The ice and snow is slowly easing back, but poor Possum still has to tip toe about in much of the paddock. Luckily, he hasn't seemed too wired as of late, though I'm sure if he had the opportunity, he'd love to have a good run and a few bucks! In the afternoon, things were calm around the "estate," and I took Possum into the stall and gave him a long grooming. He was very agreeable and sweet, for him.. I still have to always keep on him about his little nips and tiny threats of kicks (and the kick threats while grooming are because he thinks he is ticklish down around his belly and gaskin area - but he isn't really.. silly pony).. but those behaviors are just him, and he has learned to respect my voice and movements. After grooming, off we went for another nice long hand walk. Down as far as Dad's driveway, then back up to the Dodge house, where we said hello to the daughter who was out shooting arrows into a stack of hay bales with her new Christmas bow and arrow set. Possum was a bit fresh, but settled down again. Again, I worked on the voice commands to keep his head in the game. "Woah." Wait, wait, wait. Then, "walk," and off we'd go.

Out and about on Friday. Happy pony.

We went down to the grassy spots and grazed a bit, then walked down to say hello to Big Mack, who was hanging out by the gate. They touched noses and caught up ("what did Santa give you? I got a new salt lick! Cool, me too!"), then Possum and I made our way back to the road, and meandered down towards Lenny's. We took our time, enjoying the warm air and sunshine. We stopped at the top of the hill and took in the view, then turned and ambled back up the road, back towards our house. He was very happy and cool. We went as far as Dad's driveway again, then we went back to the barn. He was content with our little walk.

Can't wait to ride again!