April 2021 Issue

Page 28 April 2021 EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN Email: eschfence@gmail.com - Fax: -- WHOLESALE & RETAIL Phone -- By Malorie de la Mare Dear Mal… Do horses deliberately try to entertain people? My horse runs around in circles, finds a spot he likes then rolls. He gets up, curls up his nostrils and looks like he’s laughing at me. Sometimes his ears look like antennas—one goes one way, another goes the opposite way. Is this normal? It’s funny, and I Go ahead...Ask da Mare My Horse is a Comedian laugh. But is he trying to tell me something? -Haha! Dear Haha… Yes, horses are often come- dians. One time my horse decided that the stream we were crossing looked too good to leave. So, he did that horsey thing that they do before they roll. He began pawing the water. I tried to urge him forward, but he was really obsessed by the water. As I felt his right shoulder dip, I jumped off. He rolled! When he was finished “enjoying” the water (it was November, so, not a fun dip for me), he got up, shook, stepped up onto the bank and then turned around and looked at me. Soaking wet. I swear he was laughing. Perhaps your horse doesn’t have that practical joker streak. But it’s likely he does have a comic sense. Horses are sentient creatures, and extreme- ly observant. You probably do things that your horse—although he may not show it by laughing— finds amusing. He wants your attention, and knows that when you laugh, you’re happy. So, he does stuff that you find amusing. Horses roll for several reasons. Rolling is a form of massage, or a great way to scratch an itch, or a good tactic for getting rid of the last vestiges of a shaggy winter coat. And rolling is a fun way to get you to pay attention to him and laugh. So, to answer your question, yes! He is trying to tell you something. He wants you to know that he likes to hear you laugh. It’s wonderful that you and your horse have a good relation- ship, and that you care about him so deeply. Keep laughing! Dear Mal… It’s 5 a.m., and I’m awake, worried and wondering wheth- er I made the right decision. I bought a horse. My first horse. I’m 45 and have been riding for many years—always other peoples’ horses, or lesson horses at the barn where my horse now lives. It’s not like I just saw this horse, fell in love and—without any consideration—bought him. On the contrary. I developed a budget, listing all the things my new best friend Teddy would need. From regular dental care, to shoes, to veterinary care. Everything was there. On paper. Then Teddy arrived at the barn, and it seemed as if all my plans vanished! Suddenly, I became ob- sessed with him. Was he happy? Was he eating enough? Does he like the saddle I bought? Are the other horses nice to him? Does he like the view from his stall? He’s a joy to ride, and all the people at the barn love him. But I’m consumed with worry every time I leave. Am I crazy? -Crazy with Worry Dear Crazy (NOT!)… Welcome to the ever-grow- ing crowd of people who are becoming worrywarts, obsessed with stuff that won’t, isn’t likely to, can’t happen. It seems the Pandemic has delivered the world a little something more than Covid. After a year or more of being cooped up and freaked out by this virus that has killed so many, everyone is experi- encing anxiety, sadness and the loss of control. You know how much it will cost to care for your horse. You have the numbers, you have control. Those are not bothering you. It’s all the things over which you have little or no control—virus or no virus— that are stealing your peace of mind. Why is that? Do you worry about your car breaking down? Do you worry that your refrigerator will go off when you’re not there and all your food will spoil? Do you worry about a tornado ripping the roof off your house? No. No. No. But your horse is a living creature. A creature you love and for which you are responsible. That makes a big difference. It’s perfectly normal to want to make sure your horse is happy. You say he’s a joy to ride. An unhappy horse—or a horse that did not like his saddle—would not be much fun to ride. It’s also easy to see if he’s eating enough, is it not? Maybe it would help if you were to take a few minutes and make a list of all your concerns. As you look at them, you will see that you’re projecting your anxiety onto your horse. He’s the new element in your life. You know there’s not a lot you can do to make Covid go away. You need to recognize that, and un- derstand that the lack of control provokes anxiety, and anxiety is like water. It will find an outlet. If you can’t overcome your wor- ries about your horse, please talk to your doctor. Don’t let anxiety rob you of the joy you should be feeling with your new best friend Teddy. Good luck, and please be kind to yourself. Have a question for Mal? Email her at PAEquest@aol. com. FREE listing for your events! Submit event name, location, city, state and contact info to steph@eastcoastequestrian.net by the 10th of the month preceding publication.