The Universal Law of the Wheelbarrow.


I’ve mentioned the Universal Law of Wheelbarrow Tipping only briefly before.  There are many Horse Logic Laws that come into play in the world of horses, the kind of universal truths that are only encountered when you spend too much time with horses. This is where the nerdy science girl comes out in me. Apologies ;-)

A few variables come into place in this law. The length of time the wheelbarrow is unattended. How full the wheelbarrow is. The length of time the horse is unattended. Other influencing factors are the slope the wheelbarrow is on and the mood of the horse. Also Quantum Physics and Schrödinger's cat come into play as the amount of tipping and spreading of contents is also influenced by an observer i.e. if you can see this happening but you are too far away to stop it, then it is more likely to happen.

Simply put if I am standing across the paddock and Harry and the full wheelbarrow are on the other side of the paddock he is more likely to tip the wheelbarrow if he knows I’m watching but I can’t do anything about it. This can also be put down the perverse sense of humour of my horse of course. Yah Schrödinger had absolutely no need to put a cat in a box. He should have just filled a wheelbarrow and watched a horse.

Here’s a simple graph taking the two most important elements - Time Unattended V  Wheelbarrow Tipping.


15 comments:

cheyenne jones said...

ROTFLOL!!!!!!!

Barbara said...

So true! Glad to see a scientific explanation.

Calm, Forward, Straight said...

While we're on the wheelbarrow topic - I issue you a challenge.

Come up with the laws associated with desirability of hay fallen out of hay bag (zero) versus desirablilty of same hay once forked into the wheelbarrow. (Tastiest hay around, except for new bales loaded in wheelbarrow which can also be knocked over)

Note: Amount or placement of manure in wheelbarrow with hay does not factor :)

SallymetHarryHorse said...

LOL! love it,
I'm working on a whole lot of Horse Logic Universal Laws! there are so many possibilites aren't there? Another horses hay is also tastier than their own hay.....or food is tastier if first you empty it out of the bucket on to the floor....*sigh*

Aoife said...

Have your ponios tried to blimb into teh wheelbarrow as you're doing the stable?!?! Mine has!
Now when i say ponio, i mean all 16hands of her!
She's a right billy silly my one! Loves puttin her feet up on things/in things... Just plane stamping them!
You name foot-related activities and i bet my girl'll give it a whirl!

Dressager said...

LOL

Julie said...

Best POST yet!!!

Once Upon an Equine said...

That's great. And very true. Your illustration is wonderful. Very nice blog.

jc said...

What a wonderful blog. Love the illustrations too - much more interesting than photos!

jme said...

oh, so true! :-D wonder if the same formula might also work for partially-filled water troughs...

and i found out the hard way that my adorable dufus nate can't be left unattended in the arena or the aisle with a step-stool or mounting block or, the minute my back is turned, he will attempt to get all of his feet on it at once, like a trained circus elephant :-\

love your blog and the great illustrations!

Autumn Mist said...

Fabulous blog, I haven't laughed so much in ages (especially about the dressage stuff, it's as though you know my horse already!)Thanks for following me, too.

Jessica said...

This is great! Completely true and hilarious. I love your cartoons and all the little details that add to the hilarity, such as the little hoof prints and *snigger* by the overturned wheelbarrow.

Grey Horse Matters said...

Very true and great illustration! Our horses can find more things to get into than you would imagine.

Rising Rainbow said...

This definitely made me laugh and I'd definitely aware of this particular law.

Unknown said...

This is absolutely hilarious! Do you draw your own pictures? They are absolutely amazing!!!

I work with a mini mule who loves this trick. We've got a 2 wheeled wheelbarrow with a closed handle, she climbs under the handle and will stand in it like she's pulling a cart. Very entertaining!