tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post3369727829413375245..comments2024-03-26T05:15:39.663-07:00Comments on Equestrian Ink: Twister Speaks--For the First TimeJami Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05259390150273030284noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-69324956514753127052010-11-23T08:56:25.365-08:002010-11-23T08:56:25.365-08:00I know this happens, since my gelding talks to me ...I know this happens, since my gelding talks to me all the time. I was at a Richard Caldwell clinic and we had been going all day. He had been in his stall over the lunch break but it was getting late in the afternoon and was warm with a strong wind from the south blowing on us. Waiting for my turn to ride for Richard my gelding turned around to me, looked me in the eye and smacked his lips and showed me his tongue. I said to the horse trainer next to me, whoops the Codester is really thirsty, time for a drinkypoo. Left the group and took him to his stall for a drink, which he drained his bucket and let me ride back to the group and get ready for our ride. The trainer guy was laughing at me and said what was that all about? I told him I had raised Cody from a baby and he tells me what will help him all the time since I've been fulfilling his needs for 11 years. He didn't believe me but I know that Cody can communicate and even rolls his eyes if I don't get it quick enough. Had a great time at the clinic and Cody was a superstar as always. Oh those smart, good geldings!dunslidinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15752870701244760538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-89093328456331211962010-11-21T09:58:15.168-08:002010-11-21T09:58:15.168-08:00Thanks all, for your insights.
All my horses beha...Thanks all, for your insights. <br />All my horses behave slightly differently on this "communication" issue, so I've learned not to generalize too much. From the first day I got him, Sunny looked right at me and clearly wanted to engage. I hadn't owned him very long when he began to nicker to me, first at feeding time, then at other times. Henry, on the other hand, looks at me and nickers went he wants to be fed, but seldom otherwise (Henry is a chowhound). That's why I was so tickled when he asked me for a drink the other day. Plumber nickers at me constantly (I've owned this horse since he was three and I trained him). Tied in a row of horses, including his pasture mates, he will nicker to me if I walk away, or when I come back. Just, "Hey, where you going?" And "Glad you're back." It was almost embarrasing how much he did this when I hauled him to ropings. Here I am, walking back from the snack shack and my horse is nickering like crazy, "Oh, there you are; where did you go?" People would stare at him like, what's wrong with that horse? Anyway, it tickled me that Twister finally "spoke".Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-26257353011364467232010-11-20T21:46:50.750-08:002010-11-20T21:46:50.750-08:00For once, I have to disagree with Kate - I think s...For once, I have to disagree with Kate - I think some horses, especially the ones with rougher or unthoughtful handling in their past, don't try to talk for a while. I think after they relax and realize that the human really <i>is</i> paying attention, then they might talk. But why try to communicate if the humans never listen?<br /><br />That's a wonderful story :) Made me smile!Funderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06358687366401205336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-46678926535315941742010-11-20T18:30:04.483-08:002010-11-20T18:30:04.483-08:00I think that if a smart horse observes that you ar...I think that if a smart horse observes that you are going to be responsive, they'll make the effort to communicate. Mocha and I do this all the time; when she's eager to get out and start working she'll nicker (she has a distinctive high little voice) to encourage me to hurry up! <br /><br />For me, it's been the horse that observes that humans have straight-on gaze, attempts to engage that straight-on gaze by uncharacteristically looking straight at the human, and then making their request. It's very noticable when they decide to start trying to communicate like this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-76453106479668753962010-11-20T16:35:38.438-08:002010-11-20T16:35:38.438-08:00I ride a couple of times a week at a fancy show ba...I ride a couple of times a week at a fancy show barn. I switch around my rides a lot, but I'd been riding one particular black Thoroughbred for a couple of weeks, and we'd been having fun. The other week I went to saddle him up. He'd just finished his dinner, and when he saw me he nickered and walked over to stick his head in the halter. He couldn't have been much clearer in saying "Hi there! Let's go!"yatimahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08142518546357757874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-24134562896315384992010-11-20T15:30:06.832-08:002010-11-20T15:30:06.832-08:00Lovely story! I'll bet they're doing thes...Lovely story! I'll bet they're doing these things all the time if we just take the time to notice, which you did!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-80622855592848789382010-11-20T11:22:46.193-08:002010-11-20T11:22:46.193-08:00First, your story gave me (happy!) goose bumps. Go...First, your story gave me (happy!) goose bumps. Go Twister, and AMEN Laura for understanding him!! <br /><br />I don't have the answer to whether or not they can think and reason more than we give them credit for--- all I can say on that matter is over the years, I've sure seen some things I can't begin to explain. <br /><br />Give the crew a rub from me!Mrs. Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15269132012512166439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-3664118543700846282010-11-20T10:18:35.943-08:002010-11-20T10:18:35.943-08:00I think he learned from watching the others, and f...I think he learned from watching the others, and finally trusts you enough to try to "speak" to you. It'll be even better now that he knows you get it :) I like to think of it as "building better relationships".Mikeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03574914465998507310noreply@blogger.com