Horse in Your Pocket

It's getting to that time of year again when the horses are dancing and prancing through the months of spring. As they romp and play in the sunshine of the day, you tromp and trudge through mud and mire to catch the little devil. Buckets of grain - your horse gets just close enough to almost touch the bucket. You reach out your hand to halter him and POOF! Your horse is off and running leaving you behind stomping your foot, cursing and holding the bucket. How *do* you catch these buggers, anyway? What is going to entice these wonderous animals who love to do nothing more than laze around in the sunshine contentedly with their nose in fresh, green, spring grass?

I suggest you find a favorite novel and a portable chair. A soda or coffee, too and some little snacks for you. Armed with these human comforts, take them and yourself out to the middle of the pasture where your horse is stuffing his face. Oh, don't forget a few tidbits of your horse's favorite snacks. OK, are ya set? Then let's go ... grab your stuff and follow me out to the pasture.

Find a spot where you feel you would be comfortable but where your horse can see you easily and you are relatively close to your horse. Try not to even pay any attention to him. Just find your spot, set your chair up and put your fanny in the chair. Open your book and begin to enjoy the warm sunshine, the smell of the grass and hear the spring birds songs. Ohhhhh, sounds delightful, doesn't it? I'm sure you noticed that while you were in the process of getting to your "spot" that your horse watched you. I'm sure, fully expecting you to advance straight towards him. Now, you've gone and made him wonder, "Why the heck are ya doing that? Oh, you mean you AREN'T out here to get me? Well, then what ARE you doing?" ... your horse is keeping his eyes on you, you can bet on that! He resumes his grazing as you open your book and settle in for a good read. But, I think you'll notice that he's *still* keeping his eye on you ... the longer you sit, the more curious he's becoming. He gives a snort and shakes a few flies off his head. His eye is on you. What on earth are you doing??? WHY aren't you headed out to get him? OK, if you've brought a soda, go ahead and open it up. The "pop" of the lifttab grabs your horse's attention. His head startles up and he's looking towards you with both eyes, now. Go ahead - tell your horse, "Hi!" Wave at him and resume your reading. Did you remember to take a wee snack for yourself out to the pasture with you? OK, good. You're hungry now so go ahead and have a bite or two while you read and sip your soda. If you're keeping an eye on your horse you'll notice that he's either buried his nose in the grass again or he's still watching you with two eyes as he was after you popped the tab on the soda can. Now, one can't whistle or sing with a mouth full of snacks. That wouldn't be polite. Besides, if you try to whistle you'll spit crumbs everywhere! So, go ahead, finish up your bite and then just start humming a little tune. Just loudly enough to keep your horse's attention. By now, he really should be wondering just what the heck is going on. You want to keep his attention on you but don't let *him* know that you know he's watching you! Casually throw in a sentence or two that is directed towards your horse and has his name in it. I'm assuming, now, that your horse *does* know his own name, doesn't he? Good. Start telling him you've got a few carrots in your pocket just for him. Yep - he'll catch on. He's gonna start to wander up to see just what you are doing, now. The curiosity just cannot be contained any longer. When your horse gets up to you, just reach in your pocket and get him a treat. Give the treat to him, give him scritch on the forehead then go back to your reading. He's gonna look for more treats! Of course, of course. So, give him another one. What are you, stingy? Come on, now - no teasing. Just share a treat with your horse. Scritch his forehead and continue 'reading' your book! If your horse starts to get a bit excited over the treats, stand up and shoo him away. Guess what? He's not going anywhere! He's going to stay right with you. Well, this is exactly what you wanted, right? Great! Give him the rest of your treats then just as casually as your arrived, pack up and leave. Say "goodbye" to your horse and start walking out of the pasture. What? You've got a horse following you? Well, he wants more treats! Oh, you already gave all of them to him? Well, too bad. Hope you saved some for tomorrow. Actually, tomorrow he may just greet you at the gate! Give a farewell scritch to his head and leave him in the pasture. Save the rest for another day.

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