Norman

Ayna and Norman

Norman is not doing well for the last 2 years.  He has Cushing's so his hair is not shedding out.  I think his thermostat is not working as he doesn't sweat when hot.

His hind leg from when he hurt it years ago when he bolted and almost jumped a gate is bothering him a lot.  He is on Previcox every day.  A quarter.  Miss July is on a quarter as well.  It keeps him able to move.
Ayna and Norman

Today he came out with Marigold and Alex.  He wanted to be out of the field so I let him.  he moved sound.  Sometimes he even had a 1 hoof overtrick!!!  No wobble to the handle. he trotted sound as well.  Tracking up.

Ever since I made the appointment at the vet's to have him put down Norman has been doing well.  Before he was chasing Gus, biting and kicking him.  Not that he could really kick as his hindleg wouldn't extend back.  It is amazing to see what he is doing.  Before when he chased or ran he ended up being on 3 legs.  It was awful to see.  If he slipped on ice or got into deep snow he would have been in big trouble.  That is why the vet appointment to put him down.

It just shows it is all in the attitude, expectation of the person.  It is in Norman to expect the other horses to move away from him (Gus being slow so got bitten) when he approached.  It has nothing to do with size, strength,  but all in attitude.
After acquiring Dave and Diamond I suspect Norman was a wildie.  He has all their characteristics:  head, ewe neck, great moving, smart, great sense of self-preservation, smart, can figure things out, incredibly athletic.

Norman.  I have so many Norman stories.  A great pony who I now suspect was born wild.  he has many characteristics of Diamond and Dave and other wildies I have read about.  he is ewe necked, with a big head.  He has great movement, is very athletic, tough, game, never quits, .... all characteristics of wild horses that have been domesticated.  I forgot to smart with good sense of self-preservation.

Norman is still kind to kids.  He is an amazing horse (horse because Norman doesn't like being called a pony).  He will be greatly missed forever.  There can be no other Norman.

Norman with his friend Miss July (Gracie died last year.  Gracie was his best friend)

Norman with Alyna when she was 5? 6?

Norman 

Norman actually standing still in cross ties.  He used to levade when in cross ties without a kid around to groom him

Norman could go through the walkthrough at the house

Norman

Norman.  Starting to have soundness issues with his right hind

Norman bringing in the herd.  The horses kept an eye on Norman

More on Dave and Diamond

This summer, Dave and Diamond grew so much and filled out to be solid, muscled babies. And more.

Dave can tell a mature mare that she can't go there, push him around, or share his bucket.  A yearling telling an adult what to do?!  Diamond is the same.

Today Diamond sniffed noses with Marigold (because next week or so, they will be living together).  Diamond struck out and squealed.  A yearling?  No showing submission.  So different from domestic horses.

Diamond has learned to touch a cloth when she wants a treat.  Or when I say "touch".  She has learned that in 3 lessons, at irregular intervals.  I spend almost 5 minutes with her working on the clicker training.  I signed up for a clicker training course with Sandra Popema.  I bring them into the barn (which is interesting as they are cautious) together.  /Getting them into the stall has brought to my attention that they need to learn to go ahead.  I started Dave touching him with a stick, but he still wanted me to go into the strange space first.  Most likely, to see if there is danger, then I would be the one attacked, and he can turn and escape.  Diamond also has this thinking.

I put the halter on Diamond today in the stall with hardly a fuss.  I could have done it more carefully.  As I was doing it, I thought I could train her to put her nose into the halter.  My other horses volunteer it.