Not every day is a wonderful horse day and today was definitely not. I had to say good-bye to my beautiful, sensitive, brave Nugget. Favourite Dream was Nugget's registered name and he really was my Favourite Dream. Part of saying farewell is remembering the joy he brought to my world.
Our friend Jerry first saw Nugget in 2005, on a 5 day Trail Ride, in southern Alberta, at CFB Suffield. Nugget was the quintesential black beauty so it was impossible not to notice him. Aside from a teenie weenie white star, the only other mark was a tiny white dot on his top lip that was not apparent unless you looked for it. At the time, Nugget was only 5 but already showing great promise as a reliable riding horse. Jerry offered to buy him and ended up bringing him home a week later. They had a terrific riding season with Nugget; and I also had the opportunity to take him for a ride. Despite his young age, I felt very safe and confident riding Nugget. The only problem Jerry had with him was trying to de-worm - Nugget was going to have no part of the icky tasting paste. Not knowing what to do, Jerry asked for my help. Using operant conditioning (clicker training), I first taught Nugget manners with regards to treats. The next phase was to use an empty de-wormer syringe, filled with honey, as a target. Very quickly, Nugget starting following and touching the syringe; and ultimately, started to mouth it. Naturally, the final phase was actually having Nugget willingly accept the real de-wormer. In intervals totalling less than 45 minutes, we were all very surprised by how effectively this process worked - and without any force on our part or resistance from Nugget.
The following spring of 2006, Jerry went out to ride Nugget and was surprised by Nugget's violent resistance to the bridle. Not knowing what else to do, Jerry disassembled the bridle and put it on Nugget one piece at a time - problem solved - NOT. When Jerry went to mount, Nugget promptly threw him off and Jerry was left bruised and sore; and confused as to why the sudden change in Nugget's demeanor. His farrier suggested a trainer who specialized in fixing problem horses; and Jerry decided to let her try. After having Nugget for two weeks, she advised that Nugget was "dangerous and unpredictable". She suggested he be sent to slaughter or euthanized. Heartbroken, Jerry called Gord to comiserate and Gord suggested Jerry bring Nugget to me; telling him that even if I couldn't fix Nugget's behaviour, I wouldn't cause him any harm.
I'll never forget the first time Nugget arrived at our place - he really was breathtakingly beautiful. We put him in a private paddock and I discovered he was a little difficult to catch. However, the second I clicked him for looking at me, Nugget was right there for me. We were all shocked how well he remembered the operant conditioning a full year later - even his manners around the treats were still impeccable. At the time I was working full time and so very early each morning, I would bring Nugget into the barn and go to work with ideas I had learned from Linda Tellington-Jones. Seeing absolutely no resistance to anything I tried, the third morning I decided to try the bridle and to my delight, he accepted the bridle perfectly. What I began to learn from Nugget, during these 3 mornings, is that if he wasn't quite ready, he would make a very slight jerk of his head and suck in his breath, in the horse world we call it "freezing". It was my signal to just give him a second to think about it, and then he would relax and accept the bridle. The hesitation was so brief that anyone watching may not even notice. This was a huge learning experience for me - one I will never forget. When Nugget became unsure, he would "freeze" and I would just wait a second, and when he relaxed I would carry on. I believe the previous trainers did not notice his very subtle "freeze" signal, and when they persisted, Nugget would feel pressured and trapped; and then try to fight back.
Now remember, Nugget had also thrown Jerry off this same spring. Once the bridling issue was fixed, Jerry considered taking Nugget back to the trainer who had originally trained Nugget. The trainer had been surprised to learn of Nugget's problems because he had not seen anything to worry about during Nugget's initial training. To save Nugget and Jerry from the long arduous haul north of Edmonton, I offered to also "fix" his riding problem - again uneventful. To repay me for my work with Nugget, Jerry allowed me ride Nugget for most of that summer. I can't begin to express how proud I was and how much I loved riding that horse! He was brave and willing; and so very beautiful!
Nugget went home and had a wonderful winter of riding and helping Jerry's son-in-law Parkie, learn to work with cows. Then BAM, the following spring of 2007 doesn't Nugget blow a gasket again. This time Jerry sent him to the trainer/coach who had been working with Parkie and Nugget over the winter. Again, Jerry was told that Nugget was "dangerous and unpredictable" and should be sent to slaughter or euthanized. Again, Jerry brought him over for me to "fix". This time, Nugget was definitely more nervous and mistrusting than the previous year, but again, one click and he was right back on track. Once he was fixed, off he went again, and this time Nugget went to live with Parkie's family so Parkie could continue riding and learning with him.
When, once again, Nugget had a violent reaction in the spring of 2008, Parkie and Jerry made the decision to either sell Nugget to me or euthanize him because they no longer trusted him - and that is how this beautiful horse came to me.
It wasn't until the following spring that I noticed Nugget's subtle "freeze" behaviour return and that is when I made the connection that Nugget was reacting to a sugar high from the new green grass - simple as that. It explained everything - and why he was perfect most of the year. Because I didn't consider myself a professional horse trainer, I always had a niggle of doubt that I was missing something about Nugget that the professionals saw. This newly discovered realization erased my niggles of doubt and gave me a new found faith in Nugget.
In May 2010 I took Nugget to a clinic with one of my favourite teachers, Jonathan Field. Nugget and I did amazing ground work in the morning and I was so proud of him. After lunch we were to come back saddled and ready for the riding portion of the clinic. I saddled Nugget without incident, but I clearly hadn't noticed his subtle freeze and as soon as I asked him to take a step, he blew a gasket and became an angry, fire breathing dragon at the end of my lead rope. Using clicker training, I was able to settle him down and get him into the arena. When I suggested Nugget was not safe to ride, Jonathan agreed and had me do ground work until he relaxed. I spent 3 hours that afternoon working through various groundwork exercises. It turned out to be one of the greatest learning experiences I've ever had because I recognized the instant Nugget's brain was back in the game. Jonathan agreed and spent time after the clinic to catch us up on the exercises we had missed throughout the afternoon. Learning the natural horsemanship groundwork has given me the confidence to feel safer in the saddle. The following month, I took Nugget to Jonathan's ranch in Merrit for a week long clinic - it was a wonderful experience - and without incident.
Looking back, there were signs of lameness starting to show up in 2010, but it wasn't until 2011 that the limp became obvious. An x-ray showed a bone spur that had developed into arthritis. Over the past year, I have tried expensive chinese herbs, various joint supplements, and and injection called Legend, to try and help Nugget - but all to no avail - he only got worse. I would have been satisifed if we could help Nugget be pasture sound - even if it meant I could never ride him again. It was very sad to see my beautiful horse limping around and trying to keep up with the "boys" and so I finally came to the decision - it was time to end his pain. This decision was even more difficult because of his young age; he was only 12 years old and should be in the prime of his life. I believe there were several contributing factors that led to Nugget's early demise; started training too young, shoeing at an early age, as well as a slight conformational defect - short, straight pasterns.
Although my time with Nugget was brief - only 5 years - he has taught me more than any other horse I have encountered. I often joke about the fact that the "scariest" horse I ever had in my life also helped me develop the most confidence.
I encourage my students to chose their first horse carefully because that first horse can make or break their enjoyment of horse ownership. Clearly, Nugget was not a good beginner's horse. Looking back on my experiences with Nugget, I can see that I had enough knowledge to work through Nugget's stuff - but clearly needed the confidence that being successful with Nugget gave me. For the many horses I now
encounter I want to thank Nugget for making me a much better horse person!
I will love this horse forever and the "Boys" will miss him forever. Sadder than losing Nugget, would be to have never had him in my life at all.
p.s. It has been interesting to observe how Skeeter isn't nearly as brave without Nugget behind him in the #2 position.
Love your horse(s) every day - they're never here long enough!
