Krazy Kalvin

I haven't posted before about Kalvin Kline, a Swedish WB, who is boarded here.  Kalvin came from the barn of the trainer who worked with me and my Friesian, Auke.  We don't train with her anymore but it was an amicable split and Brett still trailers her clients to shows from time to time.  She called us at the end of the summer and said there was a horse at the barn who had injured his front foot and needed a year of pasture rest.  He needed enough room to walk around but not so much that he would do more than walk.  We have a small paddock that she thought might work.  One thing led to another and at the end of August, Kalvin arrived.  Kalvin had just started Prix St George work with his young rider and he floated into his paddock.  He doesn't walk or trot like regular horses.  His walk is like the one you get after good work -- I call it the panther walk.  That's Kalvin's normal walk.  And he doesn't trot.  He floats.  I'm sure his feet must touch the ground but it sure doesn't look like it.  He's big and bay and sweet.  He supervises us when we muck his area and once in awhile he tries to make a jail break out into the bigger pasture.  But, in general he just hangs out and trades wither scratches with Jackson over the pipe corral.  When he is insecure, he calls for Flash and Flash walks over and stands near his paddock.  They don't touch -- none of that fussy, affectionate stuff for Flash.  When we work in the arena or go on the trail, Kalvin will nicker to us as we leave or come back but is otherwise unconcerned.

Today, Brett and I decided not to ride because Flash and Jackson are still a little sore from their dental work.  It seemed kinda mean to stick a bit in their mouth when they are sore just eating hay.  So, instead we let them graze on the winter grass that has already sprung up with the fall rains.  We were still on the property in plain view of Kalvin.  So it wasn't separation anxiety.  It had to be pure envy.  He went NUTS.  He was screaming and cantering around his area, farting and tossing his head.  I think there were a couple pirouettes thrown in for good measure.  His owner is coming up to visit him this weekend.  She usually gives him a bath and does some ground work in the arena.  I'm going to strongly suggest that she also hand graze him -- he clearly was dying for some green grass.