Nudist

TC is a bit of a nudist. He's historically not been willing to wear leg wraps, he can't wear boots in turnout, and his bedsore boot things are in pieces (they've survived two months now though so I take that as a win).

One thing he has been okay about wearing is his blanket. Last year he wore it from November until he ripped it off of himself in April and I decided to just let him be naked for the rest of the year. 

This year, I bought him a new blanket and as far as I can tell, he has matured and has been wearing it just fine this year. I mean, the blanket is still all in one piece and still has all its straps. That's better than his bedsore boots at least. 

I don't take nearly enough pictures of this creature
so here is an old one

I noticed that the guys have been using his rope halter to blanket him, which is weird, the horse is really quite good about everything in life, especially when it comes to humans paying attention to him. But they are used to dealing with naughty horses so I figured it was just something they did with every horse, halter to blanket and halter to unblanket. 

Then I was around when blanketing was happening and the guy asked me if I would blanket him and I said sure. He looked very relieved. But maybe it was just cold and one less thing to do was nice for him? That's what I figured at least. 

Then I heard from someone in passing that TC had been "giving the guys a hard time" with his blanket. It was as I was walking out and they were walking in and I just thought TC was bored and was like, lipping the guy's hat or trying to unzip his jacket or something. He's a really interactive horse who demands friendship from everyone. Obnoxious, but naughty? Never. 

Then yesterday, my friend at the barn was like "your horse is being an ass and won't let the guys catch him to do his blanket," and I was shocked. When I went out to get him, he walked right up to me, waited patiently for me to undo all the clips, then bolted out from under it with a stupid grin on his face. What a fun game. Ugh. 

Mine refuses to let people dress and undress him

So I sacked him out with the blanket a bunch and he stood still as I did that. He was fine to be ridden and then as I put him back, I brought out a bunch of cookies and a clicker. I texted my barn manager with instructions for the guys. 

Bribe the asshole with cookies to catch him at the very least. If that works, cool. If not, use the clicker. Click when the asshole approaches, give him a treat, then click when he allows the halter to go on, give him a treat. Then take his blanket off or put it on. Give him a treat. 

I'm kind of thinking that this is TC's way of getting even more cookies in his life... What an obnoxious animal.