LocoYokel
Loving the herd life
May I ask what Duke's feed was and is now, and what schedule? A good Morgan can be better than a good dog and may also be, if not more, as intelligent in my opinion. Hard to rehome but an absolute wonder when you find that little 'click'. Even a change in the alfalfa content in a mixed bale can make a horse go hot. A horse that is not being used as it is accustomed to will act out regardless of it's treatment if it can't burn that energy. I don't know how long your folk's had Duke but if he was not a kid's horse before 18 he never will be.
It sounds like he was a man's horse, perhaps present it to DH that way, Duke needs a man to fill a man's place. Not to just ride but to be his friend first. Some quiet time with a good horse, no riding, no hassles, no plans... no worries! DH and Duke might find that more appealing than you think. Offer it and consider it an alternative to a "professional tuneup" for a while. I tend to shy from them as those "tuneups" can lead, at times, into more problems for the less experienced horse owner.
A timid rider will not gain his affection and perhaps not any woman, ever. I had a Morgan/Fjord mare that I bought at 11 years old that absolutely hated men but would almost roll over and play dead for short, heavyset women in glasses. Yes, they had to have glasses on. I actually gave her to the woman whose property we logged 6 years later. That mare would stop dead in her traces whenever she saw the lady and nikker at her every time. Love at first sight.
As for you own anxiety towards Duke I would suggest much the same. You are his main caregiver now, spend that extra five minutes in grooming and petting and resting your forehead to his, forget about riding him, his trail worthiness or his "brattyness" for a day or two. His life has also changed. This will also give you a chance to breathe and decide if he just livestock or keep worthy for your family.
As far as DH's and TV's go... you on your own there gurl... I am the opposite, have to have it on to sleep after moving to "town"; I hear every little noise that is not Mother Nature made, DH hits the pillows early. Our solution has been I fall asleep in my chair and he grumps when I drag into bed later... even tho his TV is up louder than mine! (and don't scroll the menu, they can hear that...
)
It sounds like he was a man's horse, perhaps present it to DH that way, Duke needs a man to fill a man's place. Not to just ride but to be his friend first. Some quiet time with a good horse, no riding, no hassles, no plans... no worries! DH and Duke might find that more appealing than you think. Offer it and consider it an alternative to a "professional tuneup" for a while. I tend to shy from them as those "tuneups" can lead, at times, into more problems for the less experienced horse owner.
A timid rider will not gain his affection and perhaps not any woman, ever. I had a Morgan/Fjord mare that I bought at 11 years old that absolutely hated men but would almost roll over and play dead for short, heavyset women in glasses. Yes, they had to have glasses on. I actually gave her to the woman whose property we logged 6 years later. That mare would stop dead in her traces whenever she saw the lady and nikker at her every time. Love at first sight.
As for you own anxiety towards Duke I would suggest much the same. You are his main caregiver now, spend that extra five minutes in grooming and petting and resting your forehead to his, forget about riding him, his trail worthiness or his "brattyness" for a day or two. His life has also changed. This will also give you a chance to breathe and decide if he just livestock or keep worthy for your family.
As far as DH's and TV's go... you on your own there gurl... I am the opposite, have to have it on to sleep after moving to "town"; I hear every little noise that is not Mother Nature made, DH hits the pillows early. Our solution has been I fall asleep in my chair and he grumps when I drag into bed later... even tho his TV is up louder than mine! (and don't scroll the menu, they can hear that...
)
