Celebrating caring for others

Chocolates and roses are Valentine symbols of love and affection between humans.

Horses love their treats any day of the year, but a special treat of a Valentine peppermint or two is very welcomed!

It is easy to spoil my SandyBoy especially during the winter months with extra treats. However, setting up such habits can backfire when he keeps looking for them and pouting when there are no more to be had. He will toss his head and not want me to get close to him without a treat in hand! Plus he will expect the same treatment from everyone and become ‘mouthy’ which would not be good sharing the barn with others. As with how we treat others, a good thing can grow into a not-so-good thing!

I do love chocolate and sweets myself. Wintertime in Maine brings more inside time with the temptation of snacking such goodies! This in itself is not a bad thing, but it is easy to tell myself that one more candy or one more cookie will not hurt! Over time, I push my avoidance behavior to the side and decide to get on the scale. Uh oh! There it is… increased weight. And yes, I know I could and should snack on fruits and nuts or substitute water for eating, but those Hershey kisses are so addicting and comforting!

Time to get back on track and minimize those habits for both SandyBoy and myself! He will still get his treats, but mostly in his food bucket. It is better for him to look there than be hand fed all the time. As for me, spring is around the corner, right? It will be much easier on both my horse and me if I have less weight to lift getting on and off him. My SandyBoy is very patient with me and stands quietly somehow realizing that it it taking me more time to dismount as the years pass by.

Looking forward to spring pasture and beach rides. Guess I will go eat an apple!!!