Little Destiny is very confident. She thinks a lot of herself! She dreams of ruling every horse on the property! Today, Oscar snapped at her when I led her by him and she actually moved quick enough to get out of the way of his teeth. That was a first. She gave me the evil eye when she was eating and I drove her away firmly, then she came back looking a little sweeter. I laugh at her little antics. I will out persist her. She doesn't think so, but I will. I have as many little tricks as she does. She's in the testing mode right now as she should be. New environment and claiming her territory.

Her eye is softening up and she's getting more comfortable with me touching her. She did go for a little free romp around the yard today which was a little unexpected but I was able to halter her fairly easily. It was the first time I saw her really trot around and move. A pretty mover and very light on her feet.

After a marathon day at Shelburne Farms Harvest Festival on Saturday, I took the day to recooperate at home. What that means is I only spent about 4 hours at the barn catching up on some corral cleaning, refilling water troughs, feeding and spending time with Shy and Destiny. The big boy herd got some lovin' on too from Eliza and I because they gave us that sad puppy dog eye when we walked by with Shy and Destiny! My boys have been very patient with me as they watch me divide my time between them and the horses that get played with everyday.

Destiny is coming around. Enough that I felt turning her out in a small corral with grass would be okay. Didn't take too long for her to catch me when it was time to go in. It was nice to see Eliza leading her all the way down the driveway to her little spot. Destiny was good, followed Eliza on a loose rope. These little outings to her grassy place will go a long way in causing Destiny to be more eager to be haltered. Each time it gets better and she is starting to understand the routine.

There have been comments that Destiny looks like deer! During hunting season she will have to stay VERY close to the barn and wear a lot of orange. She's about the same size as a good buck, the same color. I have a few dun colored horses that could look a lot like deer.

Off to bed to finish my relaxing day.

Day two

I got another nicker from Destiny when I arrived at the barn this morning. Okay, maybe it's just because she's very passionate about her food, but she does recognize me as the hay provider so that's a good thing.

Before I fed her I entered her corral to see if we would pick up where we left off yesterday. She was much softer in the eye as she stood and looked at me right away. I walked up to her and petted her neck and face. Much better than our intro to handling yesterday morning.

I was gone most of the day teaching today so I didn't get a chance to do much except pet her, which is probably all she needed anyways. I did learn that I need to tie her water bucket to the fence. And the loose salt that was also in a bucket is now part of the earth. She has a ball to play with but the buckets are much more interesting it seems.

I noticed that she has not done the submissive baby mouth thing when she meets the othe horses across the fence. I've never seen a youngster NOT do that. She is very self confident and I know will stand up for herself quite well when she gets to have pasture mates. I'm not sure who she'll be living with yet. Maybe Augustine who's just 3-he's super mellow, and likes to play. He and Thunder live together now so that may be a good match once she's more people oriented.

Haven't blogged much about Shy lately, who is becoming quite the star. She's wearing a saddle each time we play and I'm ready to start ponying her off of Thunder, if they're still friends. She's not fond of other horses near her unless it's her idea so ponying her with a buddy will be good. I did lay over her back with all my weight on her and she was fine. Still have a lot of work to do desensitizing her hindquarters and back legs before I think about mounting up.

She is one athletic gal!! Wow, quick as lightening when startled. I'd have no chance whatsoever staying on that. She can bounce on all fours about 20 feet sideways before you know what happened. No bucking, but leaps like she's got springs on her feet. That short back would eject you out of the drivers seat in no time flat. So for now, she'll be ponied alot and we'll continue to work on keeping her feet on the ground!

I can trim all four of her feet while the lead rope is dropped to the ground. She allows me to brush her tail (even touching her tail was frightening for her not too long ago) as long as I ask her permission first. Shy appreciates being asked permission first- just part of being respectful and polite. She really is a pleasure to work with. I can see how far she's come, even though it may appear slow to those who don't know her. She's a work in progress.

Destiny's first day

I've certainly had my share of fiesty yearlings, 2 and 3 year olds, and even 5 and 6 year olds that had minimal handling before they stepped off the trailer in VT. I like to think that I've seen pretty much everything a horse can offer in regards to resistance and drama. I'll keep my eyes open though. There's always more to learn and experience.

Our new Sulphur yearling, Destiny, had her first day of getting to know me. She lost weight on the trailer ride, but is eating and drinking just fine and already is looking better. She got her dread locks brushed out of her forelock, mane combed and her body brushed. I had a little work to do with her before all of this though.

I kept her in a stall overnight. This morning she whinnied when I opened the barn doors. Head over the gate, ready to eat. I went in with her to say HI before I fed her and then she tried to push me into the wall with her shoulder. Then she tried to push her way out of the gate. Okay I thought, can't have this and "whispering" is not the strategy. She needs some good leadership.

I tossed a rope around her neck, and brought her near me, haltering her with a yearling sized rope halter and long line attached. She tried to pull me off my feet and I flicked her hiney with the rope and she turned around at looked at me. Good answer.

I took her out in the corral, about 40'x40'. Her strategy was pulling hard enough that I'd let go. With the tail of the rope in hand, she got popped again on the hip and faced me. After two or three additional attempts at pulling me off my feet, she figured it out and softened immediately. Licking and chewing taking place. Now I had something to work with. Her next trick was trying to dominate me with her head. That didn't work out for her either. Next trick...backing up. Tail end of the rope right behind her got her moving forward. With no other tricks up her sleeve she stood there looking at me with those big brown eyes and precious face.

She resisted me petting her forehead so I hugged her head gently, and didn't let go till she put her head down. Then I stepped back and walked away from her. Next time I petted her head she stood and enjoyed it for many minutes.

Now that she knew how to yield to me and the rope, we could go for a walk around the yard. She followed me like a puppy for the most part. I let her graze, walked her to the next patch of good grass, graze, walk, graze, walk, graze, walk. Incentive for leading!

She really loved the attention. She met all the other horses over the fence and even gave Oscar a friendly kick in the chest! He knows where he stands with her now! He's not very assertive.

Destiny got to stay out in her corral tonight. She likes her new home!

Now the details

Everyone has arrived safely from Wisconsin. I picked up the truck and trailer and Destiny this morning from Kara's. The little filly had sea legs getting off, didn't even wait for her hind legs to get out of the trailer before she started eating grass. We slowly walked down to the barn, with Oscar nipping at her from behind. It's nice to have help! Destiny doesn't really lead yet. Thankfully it was her idea to go down the hill to the barn.

She settled right into her stall and wanted food. She loves her food. Destiny is going to grow up to be a beautiful mare. She's a very light dun and already has a great mane and tail for her age. Her doe like eyes are stunning. She's got a lovely Iberian head and fine muzzle.

I look forward to turning her out in her corral and letting her stretch her legs. I'm sure she's a lovely mover and light on her feet. Pictures coming soon.

It's Destiny

Our newest addition! Destiny, a Sulphur filly is on her way from Wisconsin! Thanks to Kara and Jordan for driving, and Pam for use of the trailer. Jane and Wes too for trailer driving that first leg. And to a loyal supporter of The Center for purchasing Destiny and entrusting her in my care. Thanks to Duane and Lisa for dedicating themselves to the Sulphur horses-and taking care of her.

Kara and Jordan will be pulling into Vermont around 1 a.m. I'll be picking up my truck, trailer and Destiny tomorrow morning at their place. Sounds like she's a good traveler, eating and drinking well. That's a long trip for a little filly.

More details tomorrow.

Events and Raffle!

Some fun event's coming up:

Join us at the beautiful and historic Shelburne Farms Harvest Festival in Shelburne, Vermont on Saturday, September 25th! This will be the second year that we've brought horses to this one day family event. Last year was a great success with having our horses on display. The awesome back drop of the "castle" and surroundings is magnificent. Over 6,000 people attended last year and I think every one of them stopped to visit the horses. Nan will be bringing Frio and I'll bring Maya and Augustine most likely. The event will provide us with our own tent and demo area. We are the only horses invited to participate, except for the draft horses giving carriage rides.

Then, October 16th is the first benefit Trail Ride at The Center. Chili lunch and bonfire to follow the ride. Fee is $25 per person. I hope to have 20 riders come and enjoy the great trails and dirt roads around our area. Should be a nice way to end the riding season as snow could be coming right around the corner.

Also, a stunning piece of photographic art has been donated as a fundraiser. We are raffling off an image taken by photographer Lauren Stagnitti. It will be professionally matted and framed by Coco's Frame Shop in Stowe. The retail value of the photo is $350. It's a picture of two of our Colonial Spanish Horses in enhanced black and white. Follow the facebook link to see a picture of the picture. The size of the photo is appx. 20"x 14".
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Center-for-Americas-First-Horse/10150104999335094?v=app_2344061033&ref=ts#!/event.php?eid=154559294567993&index=1

Tickets are $10 each or 6 for $50. Only 100 tickets will be sold. Make checks payable to The Center for America's First Horse, PO Box 274, Morrisville, VT 05661. We also take credit cards over the phone. 505-340-8376.

Thanks for your continued support!

Stephanie

Like a good neighbor...

Dumped out water troughs yesterday so they could get a scrub. Then learned the generator which pumps the water out of the well wouldn't start. Humph. "Now what?" I said to myself. Ponies without water for a day...not good. Nobody around to help me load the generator into the back of Kara's SUV. (More on that later.) No water source, empty troughs. Not good. Humph. I pondered. Feeling helpless. Alone. It's only 9 a.m. Humph.

Finally conceded I would need to ask for help. argh. Not my favorite thing to do. Knowing the nice retired neighbors across the road as good folks I wandered over to see if Al could troubleshoot perhaps. He drove his tractor over and helped me load it up to take to the repair shop. Then he filled \pails of water and carried them back in the bucket loader to the horses. Enought to get them through the day. Fortunately, it was wet and rainy so they weren't too thirsty.

Picked up the generator this morning and it's fixed. The gas had a lot of water in it, that's why it wouldn't start. Back in action! Saved by the neighbors. Good people!

So about why I have Kara's SUV. Kara is my future assistant barn manager when there is money to hire her in earnest. Until then, she's volunteered for some really important tasks! This time it's driving my truck to Wisconsin to pick up Destiny, a 100% Sulphur filly bred by Duane White. Uh, I mean bred by Duanes stallion, Dragon! Sorry, Duane!!! AND not only is Kara picking up Destiny, she's also picking up Pam's trailer so I'll have horsey wheels again!! Kara was going to Wisconsin anyhow for her sisters wedding so it worked out great.

Getting the trailer was major choreography. And if not for Jane and Wes from Minnesota, Pam from Switzerland for allowing me to use the trailer for as long as I need, Lucy at Windcross for even having Pam's trailer in South Dakota,Kara and hubby Jordan for picking it up with Destiny, I'd still be sitting in Vermont trailerless and Destiny-less. Jane and Wes drove it from SD to Minnesota. Jane drove all day to take it to Duanes, Kara is driving up on Sunday to pick it up with the filly then heading back home. THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!

Looks like my Charlotte clinic is all full for Friday! yay. And plans to come back and teach more regularly so that's all good news. Too bad it's already mid Sept. but we can keep going till the snow falls then hopefully I'll be indoors by then. Also have connected with more Johnson State College students interested in horse activities at The Center. Young, fresh, energetic young woman that love horses. How cool is that?

Lastly, a beautiful photo of Gavilan and Augustine has been donated by professional photographer Lauren Stagnitti. Coco's Frame Shop in Stowe is matting and framing this piece of art as a contribution! The retail value is $350. We are selling 100 raffle tickets at $10 each (6 for $50). With a few more events coming up this year we hope to have all 100 tickets sold by October 16th. Contact me via email if you would like to purchase a ticket. Vtblackpony@aol.com I'll try to post a picture of the photo somewhere for all to see. It's AMAZING. Lauren has captured the horses remarkably!

Pieces of the Puzzle

I'ts been a busy, short week. And looking ahead the next four weeks are going to fly by as well. Some events coming up: Sept. 17th clinic in Charlotte, Sept. 25 Shelburne Farms harvest Festival, October 16th benefit trail ride at The Center. Between these events I have weekly lessons in Waitsfield, a 4 hour lesson in Colchester, Kara taking my truck to Wisconsin to pick up Pam's trailer and Destiny, our Sulphur filly. Add on some tours I have scheduled, catching up on trimming feet, and getting Shy played with daily, there's little time left in the day.

However, some exciting long term plans are falling into place! Future barn/indoor arena, the incorporation papers for The Center being filed next week, and our non profit status paperwork getting in place. Administratively speaking, progress is happening. That will be a HUGE step in the right direction, thanks to Brenda who is making it all happen.

Almost everyday this week I've recieved a phone call or email from someone interested in volunteering, internship, lessons, tours, college level projects about the Colonial Spanish horses, and more. That keeps me going each day. If nothing else, it keeps me hoping that in the near future we will be self sustaining and financially more secure. It only takes one person to make a difference and many "one persons" have shown up in the last 18 months. I could not be doing this myself and am grateful to everyone who has supported me, the horses and The Center in all ways.

My trip to SD

South Dakota is a place where you can get lost. Buffalo Gap, SD is a dirt road with a little general store and post office, a few houses, and the nearest neighbor is at least 5,000 acres away. A Spanish Mustang is the only horse that could take you from point A to point B.

After Delta Airlines lost my Parelli equipment that I brought for my demo and training I gave up even thinking that they would try to deliver it to Windcross Conservancy where I was. Worked out they had plenty of carrot sticks and rope halters for me to use at Windcross.

I met a herd of Sorraia mares and babies that are related to Maya. Beautiful grulla's and roans. They run on a few hundred acres and we had to drive out to find them. A very friendly herd that enjoyed being scratched.

I judged an obstacle for the ACTHA trail ride that went on during the open house. Pam and I were dropped off in the middle of a zillion acres with an ice chest and walkie talkie. We judged about 20 riders at a downhill section of the ride. Possibly The Center will host a ACTHA ride next year as a fundraiser. We were the only obstacle that had shade. The organizers must have had pity on us fair skinned, blonde judges!

It was great to meet some folks that I've known only on the message boards in the Colonial Spanish horse community. Putting names to faces is a good thing. Was great to spend time with my Switzerland host Pam who flew out to SD to be at the open house. We had some good laughs along the way!

Travel back to VT was no fun. Between being air sick, lost luggage, missing a connection in NY, hotel that night, no sleep, bad food, etc. I was pretty happy to come home to my people. Felt good to get back into the swing of things today.

Many thanks to Steph O. and Katie for feeding on Thursday, Mary Anne and Elsie for being there for the Johnson students volunteer day at The Center (details coming up in another blog), and for taking care of the ponies so well all the other days. The place looks awesome! Thanks PJ for getting Eliza to school on short notice. And thanks to James for letting me go run all over the countryside chasing horses. (he doesn't read my blog but deserves a public thanks!)

Glad to be home!