the bigger browner one

My sweet chestnut mare, daughter of Big Brown, is flourishing as leading lady, despite originally expecting to spend her first year or two growing into the job as an understudy. 

he's not missing many meals, guys LOL

Because, ya know. The bigger browner one, Charles himself, had other plans -- and stubbornly refused to stay sound or reprise his role as the main star. 

this goofy gelding

C'est la vie, right? We can accommodate. So he stepped back, and instead has been living his best life over at Club Med since June.  

he's so needy <3

He stays busy with wrapping barn staff around his little finger hoof, bossing around his docile lamblike paddock mate, indulging in his near-daily grooming and spa sessions, and gorging on the plentiful grass and free choice hay that abounds at this meticulously managed facility... 

"cookie????" -- charles, ever the optimist

He basks in repose as we feed him grapes and fan him with palm fronds... Ya know. Normal retired horse things.

does this count as liberty work?? LOL

Somewhat unbelievably, tho, it isn't enough for Charlie. Lately he's been... Well. He's been an absolute pest. 

lol, the picture of raw svelte panther athleticism haha...hahahaha

I wrote a few times about how he seemed a bit unsettled lately. So he got a month of sucralfate treatment to see if maybe ulcers were to blame. And at the same time, I decided to increase his handling by adding ground work into his routine to reaffirm manners and obedience. He is, after all, a 1,400lb thoroughbred. Too big to be bored, apparently.

we had a really pretty sunset the other night

He also lost naked-face privileges in turnout, and instead wears his halter full time. Not bc he was hard to catch -- but the opposite, actually. 

Getting his halter put on was the MOST FUN GAME OMG, and he developed this whole ritualized song and dance that includes "helping" his handler by chomping onto the halter himself (and, according to him, it's not his fault if your hand happened to get in the way!).

what can i say except that i like sweet horses <3

Like, Charlie is NOT a mean horse, but he will absolutely put his teeth on you. He's a space invader, a boundary pusher, a close talker. With a strong oral fixation that I'd love to channel into something more fun like teaching him to paint pictures or something... 

"reading the news"

Charlie is so sweet and lovable, it kinda catches people off guard when he needs discipline. But he definitely needs something, and... honestly? I think it's a job. 

surveying his kingdom

Not like, a BIG job, or a hard job. Or the type of job that could theoretically help pay some of his bills (like a lease, for example). Bc, ya know, he still isn't exactly super sound. And I don't really like sharing my toys anyway LOL!

believe it or not these are pictures from three different rides lol

But... mayyybe the type of job that involves me toodling around with him a few times a week. Especially bc (**knocking on wood**), his feet don't seem to be bothering him at the moment. In fact -- I'm starting to suspect that he might actually be feeling quite good, and that this might be the true root source of his boisterous behavior. 

took advantage of the warm weather for a late season scrub-a-dub

So yet again, for the eight thousandth time in my years with Charlie, we are embarking on a new rehabilitation plan. No goals or expectations, just a desire to engage with him, and give him more activity to channel his energies and attentions in more productive ways. 

his life does not suck, that's for sure

Plus, ya know. Maybe I'll finally get to take advantage of using saddle time with my well-behaved schoolmaster to focus on my own positional habits. A girl can dream, right?