Jonathan

Jonathan came to us in July 2011.  My first question was what was his barn name.  Turns out he didn't have one, everyone has always called him Jonathan. Not Jon not Johnny, hmmm, well, he isn't called Jonathan here. He was a dressage horse but at 27, he is now retired. Like most thoroughbreds he was a racehorse as a youngster.  I am convinced it's that training as a baby that makes thoroughbreds nuttier than other breeds.

Heather in the stall with Jonny.  When he first came to the farm, he didn't want to eat alone.

Jonathan is such a funny horse on so many levels.  The first indication of problems was left to Vern and me to figure out right after he got there.  Heather had left for town and Jon started bobbing his head and pawing the floor of his stall. I gave him a carrot which he ate but lots of it fell out of his mouth as he bobbed up and down.  Vern said he thought he was choking.  We panicked and called Heather back home.  She called his previous barn and they said, "oh yeah, thats just him, you'll get used to him." Well it turns out Jonathan doesn't like to be in the barn without all the other horses in too.

He is very co-dependent, he has his special girlfriend and can't be separated without losing his brains.  At that point he seems dangerous but I don't really worry about him.  Heather and I walked Jon and Jacey, his special friend, out to the paddock on leadlines because of equipment in the barnyard.  I thought nothing of taking him out.  That impressed Heather, she declared her work done. I had graduated !