February 9, 2007

It’s been so cold these past two weeks that Nitro and the others are just going from their stalls late in the morning to their pastures until early afternoon and then back in. Mucking frozen poop and busting ice I also have been just doing the hated winter routine. Nitro and Bill have taken to each other except when it’s time to come in. Bill must keep his hula hoop circle about fifty feet from the gate; Nitro always must be first out. Since the cold snap, after Nitro tosses me his halter I’ve been getting Bill and bringing them both in together. Bill always leery of Nitro makes me walk to him. Today just as I was haltering Nitro, Bill took a step into the fifty foot circle and Nitro pulled his head from the halter and chased Bill to the far end of the paddock. Bill turned and ran for his life. Nitro bit onto his withers and drove poor Bill right through three fence rails and a post. Did Bill call Nitro’s hand or was he just careless? I guess it really doesn’t matter. Clinton Anderson is a big proponent of keeping ones circle from horses; it’s a respect thing he always says. Well after today Bill will have respect he never knew he had. Nitro cut him no slack and wasn’t going to play games. Bill knew his place and didn’t heed it. Nitro always comes out first, and you better be fifty feet away. He’s done the same thing with Snickers, ramming into him, like a blitz on a quarterback, knocking snickers completely over. As horse people trying to learn the ways of horses we all can take a lesson from Nitro. His reprimand was fast and effective. There was no second chance or bluff. In ten seconds Bill learned a life threatening lesson. Now I have to ask Nitro to teach Bill how to trailer load.