Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Hank knows best

Like clockwork, Hank started shedding his winter coat on December 22. One extra minute of daylight 
each day is all it takes for his body to say "spring's coming, better start getting rid of this stuff." 
It's a slow shed that will continue from now through April, but it makes him itchy so he rolls more. 
 And when he rolls now, he's usually rolling in mud. I scrape him off once a day, but after that, he's on his own.


Hank: Watch this, mom. I'm going to roll in the snow and get squeaky clean again.



Me: I wonder if I can take pictures with my eyes closed?

Watching Hank roll makes me a nervous wreck. His right front knee barely bends anymore, 
and I worry that he'll make it worse getting down and back up.



But I can't stop him from being a horse and doing something he so obviously enjoys, 
so I say a little prayer every time I see him go down.



Hank: I don't understand why you worry so damn much.




Hank: I've got this down to a science.



Hank: See how I stretch my bad leg out and 
use my amazingly powerful and sculptured hind end to raise myself up?



Hank: Nothing to it.



Hank: Now stop being such a nervous nelly and show the nice people my finest feature.


25 comments:

  1. Hurray for Hank doing what he wants to do, but I can still see why you worry so. He is one handsome dude!

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  2. All kidding (although appreciated) aside, animals do know how to do things so they don't hurt parts that already hurt...and they don't worry about stuff that might hurt. That's why they're such inspirations to me.

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  3. And the boy does have a beautiful rump.

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  4. No doubt about it - Hank has a very nice engine on him (that's dressage speak for bootylicious)!

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  5. just being a mom~always worry! and my that last pic of that gorgeous rump and the background is wonderful !! Think spring Hank!!

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  6. Awwww isn't he AWESOME!!!! BTW, your picutres are beautiful, I assume they are with the new D7000 camera.

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  7. Animals just seem to adjust when injuries occur as best they can. Good for you, Hank. And YES... your rear view is quite a fine one. LOL

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  8. Wow that is indeed one fine butt!

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  9. Hank is a handsome fella no doubt! :) We could learn a lot from animals who don't worry about "what ifs" :)

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  10. Silly pony, scaring you like that. Maybe taking pictures with your eyes closed is a good idea.

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  11. e looks like it must have felt SOOO good! But what I noticed, before the gorgeous Paint butt, was the lovely round, concave feet! I know you bribe your farrier, but he's worth his weight in brownies!

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  12. That last photo is calendar worthy! Love it but I do so love the shots of Hank rolling - pure joy!

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  13. LOL, I too was admiring his tootsies! Nice big frogs,

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  14. The shedding never starts here until about Feb. 22. I think I need to move west.

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  15. Hank should talk to Ozzy. My silly horse won't shed til mid-May. Ugh!

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  16. Ours don't start shedding until March!

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  17. No shedding around here in Eastern Oregon, yet. AND YES I KNOW how nervous you get watching Hank roll! I do the exact same thing.....I watch Libby like a hawk when she rolls, for any signs of something not right.....

    Oh and Hank, NICE butt! LOL

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  18. Everyone else was very pc about the praise, but I'm just going to say it: Hank has a great ass!!!

    Nancy in Iowa

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  19. Hank is a beautiful guy! It looks like he is having a great New Years!

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  20. Good boy Hank, for being an optimist and getting ready for Spring already. Handsome and smart.

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  21. He is a looker! How old is he? Are his knees bad due to age.

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  22. It's easy to forget, just looking at stills, that the guy has a bum knee. I would be a nervous Nellie too, but it's amazing how thoroughly he works around it.

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  23. Hank is such a lovely little paint! I'm glad he can still roll around as much as he likes and doesn't have trouble getting up! Have you seen War Horse yet? Really was an emotional roller coaster ride!

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  24. What a smart boy! Our shetland pony goes right to where the water trough drains and rolls in the mud. As soon as she is finished being brushed. Just because she can!
    Stevie @ ruffledfeathersandspilledmilk.com

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