Five pocket ponies standing at the gate… equals five nosey noses trying to rob me of cookies!
Chunkles like cookies too… 
Practically beating them off with a stick trying to leave 
Phew. It’s not looking like rain today, so the mud is receding. Maybe summer will arrive after all.
Before my grade pony Salt developed Cushing’s, neighbors asked me fairly frequently when we were out driving when “she” was going to have her baby. My usual response was “See the penis sheath? That means never.” I said it with a laugh in order not to be too snarky. Sometimes he would conveniently drop during those conversations. I swear he followed conversations and reacted accordingly. A lot of people had never seen a horse penis before.
He also was an uncle to foals at the last place I boarded him. He just loved the babies, which took me by surprise as he’d not been around foals when he belonged to me until then. Sadly, he was no longer chunky by the time he was around the foals, and I was desperately trying to get weight back on him that last couple of years of his life.
Well it looks like all of them are excellent cookie inspectors. You must have a teach a Certified Cookie Inspector (CCI) program at your farm. Its a year-round program, but everyone knows mud really elevates CCI demand in Texas. Can’t blame these hard working boys for just doing their jobs!
I believe Elmo is a CCI+ which means he is professor level. Peach is enrolled in that upper-level course and will be a CCI+ soon enough.
Is that like a MD or CPA in the horse world? Does Elmo introduce himself as “Elmo Heinz_57. C.C.I.”
We joke that our hound has a “dogtorate” in “BDE” (Best Dog Ever). She introduces herself as “Nice to meet you. I am Lily Yankee, B.D.E.”
Hahahaha 
both for the Title, and the fact that “BDE” has… a different meaning colloquially.
My dog introduced himself as “Mr. Binkles, Esquire”. Because of course 
Expert level, for sure. Even the new kids!
Breakfast views:
Ernie must’ve gotten himself into the wrong place at the wrong time, those marks on his back are actually some bite marks (and I know exactly who the offender is)… and those darn visible RIBS just keep hanging on.
Luckily most of the dry lots are, in fact, DRY again, since it hasn’t rained for 2 days, so I’m going to work on moving them back into individual/paired quarters today. I really hope it continues to stay mostly dry. My to do list is miles long now.
Cooper (the fat bay creature) is the one biting Ernie. In the original herd hierarchy Cooper was the #3 man below Elmo and Fern but above Peach - but with this grouping that doesn’t include Fern, usual #1 man Elmo has decided to yield to much bigger and stronger Bert (a wise choice IMO). Cooper has taken over bossing duties and he can be a little too ham-handed with his teeth with the really submissive horses like Peach and Ernie (and Bo, the one time I tried putting them together). He’s a chaser and a biter, not a kicker. Bert gives way to Cooper, but only just barely and it usually comes with a healthy dose of attitude in return. To add to the complexities of herd status, Cooper and Elmo have a pretty serious bromance going on so Cooper’s attention is usually on keeping Elmo to himself and sharing the resources with him like a body guard. Ernie sticks to Peach like glue and Bert usually hangs with them by default.
Fern is not included in this little gathering because his favorite thing to do is bite other horses on the tail and rip out the dock hairs trying to annoy them into playing with him. He’s also very quick to kick back if someone kicks at him, and he suffers from a serious case of Napoleon syndrome. He’s the really pesky little brother that doesn’t know when to quit. I may try him solo with Bert at some point, Bert seems to be self-assured enough that he might stand up to Fern and actually enjoy the play time. We’ll see.
Back in the paddocks! And mastering the art of the ears forward pose.
Bert was too suspicious of the gate monsters so he ended up moving second, after Peach. He’s still very unsure of all the things in the world outside of the fence, but I tell him he’s a brave boy and it’s OK to look. He’s got a lot of try, but also a lot of sense and I see him growing up to be one of those horses that is going to keep his rider safe no matter how stupid they may be.
That left Ernie behind for last, which really upset his apple cart. This might sound goofy, but I think I need to upset Ernie more often so I can help him learn how to manage his emotions, because acting like a giraffe with your head straight up in the air ain’t it. Where Bert grows roots, Ernie takes flight. Ernie’s got that special spice that will probably make him really sparkle in the dressage ring.
I forgot to mention, I measured Bert for blanket size yesterday - in his current condition he’s a 74/75. Haven’t done Ernie yet, but I’m guessing he’s in the 68ish range just by eyeball. I’m sure they will both grow by the time blanket season gets here, but it gives me a good starting point so I know what to have on hand!
Bert is doing most excellent with handling front feet, still working on being comfortable with the hinds. Oh, and he’s a pro at being fly sprayed (and hose-sprayed LOL).
Awww Ernie! He’s just having an awkward growth spurt, hence the ribs
Good lord that’s a handsome Bert 🥹
Bert has the perfect set of ears for finding the center of a jump. They’ll frame an oxer nicely!
Bert has my heart, love him
Yes! He is making the Bert fan club very proud! So much cute and so smart. Go Bert!
Bert is one handsome man!
Hello, Bert? I just may be the dum-dumhead rider you’re looking for. Call me!
Even from this distance, Ernie has the cutest little baby FACE OMG 
Very much still a baby! And acts like it. He’s calmed down on the clacking his teeth at everyone and everything, but they are definitely keeping him in his place. I’m grateful for his meek and mild temperament, means I can put off the search and possible surgery for the second testicle until at least the fall when the bugs won’t be such a concern.
Oh, I’d forgotten about the search for the MIA testicle. Fun times. And definitely something you want to do after bug season.
Yes, I agree to wait till it cools 🫠 poor K. Kookys boy went through it between heat and bugs! He’s gotta a perfect sheath NOW 
I sent so many 
pics to K. Kooky. Not sure why its such a thrill for guys to do that
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