Is It Your Turn Yet?
April 2008
"Trust "
I am sitting on a beautiful spring day in the middle of the hillside of my stallion’s pasture waiting to see if Merlin will come up to me of his own free will if I just sit in the grass waiting for him. Understanding horses is a hobby. I view their habits and how their minds are analyze and make decisions. Merlin, having spent his 23 years with me, is much more cautious about randomly coming up to me as I sit at the top of his pasture. He’s had many years and many times of finding out that when I come to see him it means work. I did the same experiment on my new 6 month old colt, Knight Hawk, and now I can’t get rid of him if I go anywhere in the pasture.
Merlin, now after 15 minutes, seems to be grazing closer and closer, every once in a while looking up at me and analyzing whether there could be some benefit, such as a treat, if he would dare to come the next 40 feet. I think he understands enough to know that he has already gone for a long ride today so the chance of a second ride is slim. Howeverl, it’s daylight and there is that slight chance that I might do something awful like worm or groom him.
Interestingly, I have done this same experiment with all the horses on a beautiful starlit night, sitting quietly in the pasture and even Merlin, within minutes, has the curiosity to approach me. Now, 3 minutes later and 20 feet away, he grazes closer and closer, keeping an eye on me. When experimenting the same way with the mares and geldings in a separate pasture, at night, it is almost dangerous, as they come up to me, nibble and vie for my attention. The daytime hours aren’t nearly as productive with any of the horses, except for Knight Hawk. Isn’t innocence wonderful? His only contact with me results in my giving him treats, rubbing his neck and bringing him into the barn for grain.
Merlin is now only 15 feet away. The sound of the birds coming back and the rustling of the spring wind is awesome after a long winter. These days, before the bugs come, are some of the most precious for me. Two weeks ago, the very place I am sitting on, this dry grass, was covered with two feet of snow. The robins have arrived and the deer are eating from our yard at dusk and again in the early morning, walking amazingly close to Merlin. Neither the deer or the turkeys seem to mind Merlin. They will come to finish off his grain as they know he is a sloppy eater, Now he is only ten feet away, keeping one eye on me. He takes one more step, turns around and then walks away.
It must be too weird for him to find me sitting here. Something must be up! This is the same horse, that last year, after I wormed the others and left him in his pasture, wouldn’t let me catch him for two days, knowing what was in store for him the next time he was caught.
Sometimes, trust in our relationships, isn’t as dependable nor as constant, as we would like it. Humans, like horses, judge that trust based on past experiences.
Today is the first day of the rest of your life.
Article written by: Dr. Daniel L. Steinke
I am sitting on a beautiful spring day in the middle of the hillside of my stallion’s pasture waiting to see if Merlin will come up to me of his own free will if I just sit in the grass waiting for him. Understanding horses is a hobby. I view their habits and how their minds are analyze and make decisions. Merlin, having spent his 23 years with me, is much more cautious about randomly coming up to me as I sit at the top of his pasture. He’s had many years and many times of finding out that when I come to see him it means work. I did the same experiment on my new 6 month old colt, Knight Hawk, and now I can’t get rid of him if I go anywhere in the pasture.
Merlin, now after 15 minutes, seems to be grazing closer and closer, every once in a while looking up at me and analyzing whether there could be some benefit, such as a treat, if he would dare to come the next 40 feet. I think he understands enough to know that he has already gone for a long ride today so the chance of a second ride is slim. Howeverl, it’s daylight and there is that slight chance that I might do something awful like worm or groom him.
Interestingly, I have done this same experiment with all the horses on a beautiful starlit night, sitting quietly in the pasture and even Merlin, within minutes, has the curiosity to approach me. Now, 3 minutes later and 20 feet away, he grazes closer and closer, keeping an eye on me. When experimenting the same way with the mares and geldings in a separate pasture, at night, it is almost dangerous, as they come up to me, nibble and vie for my attention. The daytime hours aren’t nearly as productive with any of the horses, except for Knight Hawk. Isn’t innocence wonderful? His only contact with me results in my giving him treats, rubbing his neck and bringing him into the barn for grain.
Merlin is now only 15 feet away. The sound of the birds coming back and the rustling of the spring wind is awesome after a long winter. These days, before the bugs come, are some of the most precious for me. Two weeks ago, the very place I am sitting on, this dry grass, was covered with two feet of snow. The robins have arrived and the deer are eating from our yard at dusk and again in the early morning, walking amazingly close to Merlin. Neither the deer or the turkeys seem to mind Merlin. They will come to finish off his grain as they know he is a sloppy eater, Now he is only ten feet away, keeping one eye on me. He takes one more step, turns around and then walks away.
It must be too weird for him to find me sitting here. Something must be up! This is the same horse, that last year, after I wormed the others and left him in his pasture, wouldn’t let me catch him for two days, knowing what was in store for him the next time he was caught.
Sometimes, trust in our relationships, isn’t as dependable nor as constant, as we would like it. Humans, like horses, judge that trust based on past experiences.
Today is the first day of the rest of your life.
Article written by: Dr. Daniel L. Steinke
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