Spanish Mustang owner in need after fire

Monique Sheaffer and her family from PA have lost their historic 1860's barn, outbuidlings and a car in a fire on Tuesday. Fortunately, no animals or people were injured.

They have a small herd of Choctaw Indian ponies and work closely with the preservation project to save the horse from her heritage. Although I have never met the Sheaffer family in person, we've corresponded about our Choctaw horses for a number of years now. Monique is Choctaw. They have already sacrificed alot to have their breeding herd, and now a fire that destroyed their barn. How tragic. My own troubles seem not so bad.

They are in need of EVERYTHING horse related. The very basics such as halters and lead ropes, to tack and barn equipment, first aid supplies, buckets, blankets, etc. They possibly need hay for the winter as well. They will have to construct some quick shelter for their horses before winter sets in.

If you can offer any assistance please contact me by email for their address. Vtblackpony@aol.com

Anli, (sincerely in choctaw)

Stephanie

It was 70 degrees today!! Didn't it snow last week? Typical VT weather.

MaryAnne and Elsie (feeding and fencing fairies) came to ride today. I had the pleasure of getting them back in the saddle after their hiatus from riding. Elsie was on Oscar and Mary Anne on Maya. They did great and the horse seemed to enjoy some leisurely walks around the field.

I had the chance to spend some good hang out time with Logan while spending time with friends. Hard to believe that hanging out on a horse would be training time but it's just what Logan needs. He's got some anxiety about being ridden and total relaxation isn't his game right now but he's catching on.

Had a few good rides again on Galan lately. We're venturing out along the driveway more with each ride. He's pretty happy and I can tell he feels smart and proud of himself!

A tiny pebble

Less is more. That's a hard concept in this day and age but one that I try to live by...when I remember.

Working with horses keeps this concept at the forefront of my brain though. If I applied the theory, principles and concepts of natural horsemanship in ALL of my daily affairs and relationships, I'd be a better person. Not that I'm a bad person now, but there is always room for self-improvement!

Today Logan had a temper tantrum about being tied in the barn. Typical green horse with no patience issue so I ignored him. As I watched him paw and dance around I remember watching a short video with Bill Dorrance, granddaddy of natural horsemanship. He was before natural horsemanship...a master and founding father.

So in this video Bill, (at 90 years old) sat on a bucket and watched a horse dance around as it was tied to a trailer. Bill picked up some pebbles from the ground and gently tossed one towards the horses hind legs each time it got antsy. Within a very short time the horse stopped pawing and dancing around. Bill never said a word, never even touched the horse.

I am fortunate that I recently shoveled a literal ton of Stay-Mat onto my little barn floor. Many pebbles to choose from. I chose about a dozen and sat comfortbly on the hay pile with barn kitty, Paco. As Logan did his thing, I did Bill's thing. Less than 5 minutes and Logan was quiet and licking and chewing repeatedly.

Less is more in action!

Galan acted like a big boy today! We had our first ride out of the arena. He was much more inclined to move freely than the last day I rode him. I also used the halter today instead of attaching reins to the bit and I think that made a big difference. He's a sensitive horse.

We started at the "beach" (sandy area near the barn) just walking in a small circle then spiraled out into the driveway and around the "yard". We walked and trotted a little bit. Getting him out of the arena seemed to change his attitude about things. This was only the third time he's been ridden this year. As a three year old he was ridden maybe 4 times. Now that I found what makes him happy, we'll be doing more of that. I've always felt like he's a horse that's up for an adventure. His adventure today was a ride around the driveway!

Logan impressed me today with his general respect for me and his ability to focus. Tomorrow I'll plan on riding him. He'll be going home in a week or so--I think his owner will see a big change in him. I know I have. His neck isn't tight all the time now. He's learned to relax and is working with me now, not against me. That's so much more fun for everyone!

Good Boy, Logan

I had two tag- a -longs down come to the arena with me the other day. Oscar and his little friend Destiny saw me going with Logan so they followed. It was good practice for Logan since he wanted to belong to the herd of two but had to focus on me instead. No more running out of the arena or being obnoxious. He did hesitate and thought about going with them, but respectfully listened to me instead. good progress there.

Walking back up the driveway I send Oscar and Destiny ahead and turned Logan to walk the other direction. He wanted to spin around and run to be with them. I could just tell. But a gentle reminder he's to stay with me and that was all he needed. Now that he's showing this level of respect on the ground, we are working towards mounted work.

Thanks to my fencing fairies Mary Anne and Elsie, we've got some juice running through it now. Playing musical pasture today!

Between that crazy fall storm over the weekend and life in general, I've been 2bizee2blog. I think that's how the younger generation writes things now!!!!

All the ponies, except Shy and Coyote had their rain coats on this weekend. Shy's not worn a blanket to my knowledge and I wanted to take my time putting it on her but when they are cold, hungry and cranky first thing in the morning, that is NOT the time to be taking time introducing a blanket to a horse like Shy. Even my own old reliables were doing the blanket dance--they just wanted to eat. It's amazing how quickly they warm up once they get hay in their bellies. All's well, but now have the mud to contend with. Ick. It's a hard time of year transitioning from fall to the W word. (winter).

Took Logan out for some play time today. He's much more honest than the other day when he was exiting the arena on his own. He's following me in the circling game now and using the 45' rope has helped tremendously. Today was the first day I saw him drop his head and relax on his own after having him trot and canter around me. I see him making changes each day.

Galan is staying for another two weeks. I got on him on Thursday and after getting the stickyness out of his "go" he did pretty well and was more confident about moving forward.

And Destiny actually looked to me yesterday with a question when she had herself in a little predicament with her stall gate. It was the first time I saw her realize she didn't know what to do. She's always strutting around like she KNOWS EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME (sounds like a teenager) but after trying to escape through the gate before it was open fully, she found herself asking me what should she do. I helped her back up and get free so now I'm her hero!!!! She comes running to my whistle most of the time, always if there is a little handful of grain to go with the whistle. She's put on a lot of weight and is looking good. I know she's happy. Her and Ringo bonded the other day over some good grass. Uncle Oscar and she are still pretty tight though. It's cute cuz he usually doesn't get too attached to anyone.

So that's the latest from "As the World Turns" at The Center.

Today's session with Logan reinforced the importance of relaxation. After his owner and I talked yesterday it was pretty clear that Logan never really lets down. He's either on adrenaline moving his feet, or he's gone introverted and standing very still while skepticism of humans takes over his brain. Makes for a complicated horse. Because of his lack of confidence, he acts dominant to protect himself. As I'm learning more about him, I find him really fascinating to work with and continue to learn from him.

It took less than an ounce of pressure to cause him to yield to the pressure from his poll today. He likes hanging his head down and getting rubs on his forehead. I can see the change in his eye when he's relaxed. I made a point to get his energy up, then have him stand on the platform and lower his head to relax. We did this numerous times, very methodically. He started to look for the answer.

It all wasn't quite that pretty though! I purposely keep the arena gate open. This tells me how honest he is. It got better. Started off with some circling game and first trip around I know he's going out the gate. No problem, let's go out the gate then! BUT....when you run out and then you hit the end of the rope and there is some strong pressure, it won't be THAT fun anymore. I would actually send him with some intent out the gate and after a few times of that, leaving wasn't so much fun. Reverse psychology is a wonderful thing!

Then we got creative exploring how many different ways we can go out the gate---backwards, sideways, one step at a time forward and backward, driving from zone 4 and 5, at a walk, at a trot. You should have seen the look on his face!

We ended the session standing on the platform, head down and licking. Played a gentle sideways game all the way back to his pasture.

Logan has Ringo for a new roommate. They both are chestnuts with white blazes but Ringo only stands 14 hands and weighs 750 lbs. They seem to happy together, sharing hay piles and venturing off together. Ringo can be a rascal, a mischievous little guy. They should get a long fine.

Logan and I got connected today. I learned alot about him. Realizing that he is running on adrenaline and tension most of the time I focused on relaxation with him. He can't learn, doesn't even want to learn when he's tight. His neck gets hard like a rock, his body stiffens and all he's thinking is LEAVING NOW.

First, I took care of the leaving part by using my 45' lariat rope as a halter on him. Direct pressure is applied to his poll and nose, not a tool to use on many horses, but makes a significant difference if used properly. He responded just as I had hoped. We then could move on to softening his head and body once I had more respect.

Logan found his happy place when he learned to give to pressure and really drop his head, stretch his neck down and relax. His eyes softened, he sighed, licked and chewed. After a while he went to this place on his own. We walked back to the barn down the driveway with his mind at rest.

Tomorrow's session we'll try to start where we left off. I love seeing progress and really being able to pinpoint what is at his core.

Welcome to Boot Camp, Logan!

There have a been a few horses who have come to The Center for some type of reform/training. There was Summer, Shy, Galan, and now the most recent, Logan. Then of course there are the ones that have come to me unexpectedly that are part of my herd now that needed some re-programming.

Today a new gelding arrived. Logan has already challenged me. I have worked with him and his owner on and off over the summer. You could say we have a "repoire" of some type! Logan doesn't like to be told what to do. He uses the strength of his well developed neck to brace and pull away. (among some other tricks.) He's a big boy. Humans are no match and he knows it. And it doesn't get a whole lot better when he's ridden (no surprise there!)

So...I can't wait for tomorrow when I get to pull some tools of my trade out of my box for horses this "special"! The trick is staying one step ahead of this fellow and not running out of tools. The difference with him in comparison to say, Summer, is that Logan weighs about 1,200 lbs and stands about 15.2. Not that big in the horse world, but compared to my little Colonial Spanish Horses he's BIG.

Tomorrow I'll enter Logans world with confidence that I have the tools I'll need to make him look at humans differently. Not as weak specimans that he can bully around, but trusting partners to work with. It'll be a good learning experience all around. He's going to be a tough cookie, he's build up some good resistance from his past experiences. Getting that opposition reflex out of his system will make him the type of horse his owner is looking for. Stay tuned for the adventures of---Logan goes to boot camp!

Thanks to Cherise for helping me today with getting hay! What a bonus that was for me. Because I don't have much hay storage area yet I have to load up the truck about every 10 days. Good thing my hay supplier lives only two miles away. We did two loads in less than an hour. Would have taken me half a day. Mucho gracias, Cherise!!!

New student Galan is settling into work. He's just four, with only about three rides on him a year ago. Yesterday he was pretty sure he wanted that saddle off his back. Today he was more sure it was okay to have it on. I did end up getting on him after I played with him online for about 45 minutes. Just sat on him, laterally flexed him, rubbed him all over. Got off, got on, sat there, got off. He was all good with that. He's a lot of fun, a perky little guy that loves to move. He's going to make a great trail/endurance horse. I even see how he could excel in reining because he's super quick and agile. Also would be a lot of fun to jump-he's very light on his feet. That's what I love about these CS horses...they can do everything and be good at it!

Destiny continues to run around like she owns the place. She and Uncle Oscar cruise around grazing freely during the day. Yesterday she galloped down the hill when she saw me putting up some fencing. She probably thought there was food in the plastic bag I had and much to her dismay found only fencing insulators! But she followed me around for while anyways- quite curious as to what I was doing. It really suprised me when I called her in for the day and she came running! Although her internal clock recognized it was feeding time, I was still impressed of her enthusiasm to get haltered and put back in her corral.

Visitors

It's been so nice to have the doors to The Center open to all. Yesterday, a young woman who did volunteer work back in Sept. with the Johnson State College crew came by to say hello. She'd been thinking about the horses since then and finally just drove up to "touch a horse".

We got talking and she shared about a 4 year old girl in her life who is in the hospital after surgery for her cystic fibrosis. Tears welled up in her eyes as she asked if she could bring her to The Center to visit the horses. Then I got all teary sharing about a little girl that came to Red Road Farm about 4 years ago who also had CF. Her wish was to work with my vet for the day and they brought her over to meet Oscar and get his autograph. I was choked up with tears the whole time she was there.

I look foward to giving this child the opportunity to get to know my horses. I will have a tissue tucked in my pocket.

destinys photo

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Center-for-Americas-First-Horse/10150104999335094?ref=ts#!/photo.php?pid=14895274&fbid=10150276936430094&id=10150104999335094

I posted a new photo of Destiny on facebook. She's looking just gorgeous in it. The way she was moving and carrying herself gives me an accurate glimpse into what sort of potential she has as a sport horse. I already knew from seeing her sire but this picture confirms it. Destiny has really made some great progress with her attitude towards me. She softly accepts the halter and waits patiently for me to take it off. She whinnies when she sees me in the morning and puts her head over the fence to greet me. We still have a ways to go to bring her up to speed like working with her feet and brushing her thick tail out. But she's come a long way from the sassy little filly that stepped off the trailer two weeks ago.

A new four legged friend is coming to The Center today for a few weeks of training. Galan, a young Colonial Spanish gelding I sold a few years ago is ready to get started. I did ride him a few times last year as a three year old and he'll get a refresher course again this month. He'll love seeing his buddies again and I'm sure will engage in some play time. I look forward to seeing how he has developed. What an athletic little horse he is, very light on his feet and has an inquiring mind. It's kind of like getting a new toy to play with when new horses come for any length of time!

Hoping this nice weather continues through the month. Our benefit trail ride is scheduled for October 16th. Still selling raffle tickets for the photo, too.

Crazy. All this rain. Not looking forward to seeing how bad the barn flooded last night. Luckily, most everything is on pallets since this isn't the first time we've had a small river running through it.

I kept Destiny in her stall last night since she doesn't have any shelter in her corral. I left the barn door open so Oscar could come in and out on his own, although that means he probably made a mess of the hay but it's a small price to pay to know he was dry and happy last night.

Destiny is being very obedient with the halter now. She is acting more like a partner each day and waiting patiently for it to go on and off. She whinnies when she sees my truck in the morning. So cute.

Off to Charlotte today to teach at an indoor-what a gift to have that available with the weather we're having. Saturday is the Waitsfield riding club horse show and I'm taking a students big Paint horse in a few classes for her. Riding western! A small, fun show with no pressure.

The raffle tickets for the beautiful framed photo are selling slow. I'm hoping to sell 80 more by our benefit trail ride October 16th. Thanks to those who have purchased a ticket. 100% of the money will go towards winter hay. Let me know if you need me to send you the flyer so you can help spread the word! Thanks!