Annual Review

Being a pasture puff is more work than many may realize. Not only do you protect your herd and have to forage for food, you have to train (or at least maintain the training of) your human with somewhat less contact than a "working" horse might have. To this end, doing objective evaluations allows you to spot any deficiencies and assist you in planning your training curriculum.

OK, I didn't really think this idea up myself. I stole it from Paradigm Farms.

Core competencies:

Grooming: 
A: Needs improvement
B: Meets expectations
C: Exceeds expectations

Mother is a good groomer, usually, but only if she SHOWS UP to do it. That being said, I hesitate to grade her too harshly, as she might decide it is just easier to give me baths.

Riding abilities:
A: Needs improvement
B: Meets expectations
C: Exceeds expectations

In this category, Mother does great... because I don't get ridden anymore. This is a chance to pad her grade.

On time completion of scheduled activities, farrier, vet, vaccinations, de-worming: 
A: Needs improvement
B: Meets expectations
C: Exceeds expectations

Some of these items are unpleasant, but necessary. My feet are good, I am parasite and disease free, lets just move on...

Level of endearing comments regarding said equines, both online and in person: 
A: Needs improvement
B: Meets expectations
C: Exceeds expectations

Mother speaks poorly of me. I've heard her. 

I don't talk bad about her...

sniff. sniff.

Stylishness and comfort of transportation rig (trailer / truck):
A: Needs improvement
B: Meets expectations
C: Exceeds expectations

I seldom travel anymore, but when I do it is usually Aunt Nancy's nice two horse or that other lady's gigantic step up trailer. Both are pretty nice (although the one is ridiculous to climb up in to).

Number of treats per interaction: 
A: Needs improvement
B: Meets expectations
C: Exceeds expectations

Sometimes Mother doesn't come up, so those are lost cookie opportunities right there that will mark her down. Sometimes even when she is here, she doesn't even bother to give me a cookie! What the...??? Most of the time, though, I'll get between two and five cookies, so I probably shouldn't rock the boat too much.

Cleanliness of stables and pastures:
A: Needs improvement
B: Meets expectations
C: Exceeds expectations
The stalls are cleaned, the water is pristine, and the Small is kept reasonably tidy. I've lived in worse.




So over all... wow.
Out of 7 categories:
*3* NEEDS IMPROVEMENTs
*2* MEETS EXPECTAIONSs
*2*EXCEEDS EXPECTAIONSs

And those two "EXCEEDS" were in topics that don't matter anymore, like trailering and riding.


Hrmmph. I'm really going to have to step up my training program.
My human is terrible!!