Wednesday, December 26, 2012

As 2012 comes to a close,  I am thinking back to what our year at The Center was like. It seems so long ago.  Stay tuned for an update of all that happened at The Center in 2012. For now, check out the daily showcase of our horses on Facebook!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

I believe in Magic

The last two sessions with Magic have shown me where his greatest blocks are. It's good to know these things, then there is a place to get started. He's got a pretty good amount of brace in his poll and neck so teaching him to release those muscles has worked great so far and he's learning that it feels good to just relax there. Then, we're working on moving that body of his around in small cirlces, disengagements, lateral work and lateral flexion.

As he's becoming more familiar with how his body works, he's softening quite a bit from poll to tail. In between these excersices I let him out on the 40 ft. line to just move freely at any pace he wants. Free's up his brain alot too. He's a worrier at times but is very willing to try.

Originally I had him pegged as a right brain extrovert, meaning that he's more of a flight than fight kind of horse, often living in that instinctual place in his head. Unlike a left brained horse that is dominant, confident and has a "what's in it for me" attitude. But now that I get to know Magic I'm seeing more left brained extrovert tendencies regularly now. He's playful, very curious and engaging. It's nice to see that change coming. His confidence is building daily. That's really a basic fundamental training block right there.

I believe Magic is learning those basic stepping stones.

Saturday, April 7, 2012

It's Magic!

Today a new horse came to The Center for training. His name is Magic. He's a 7 year old registered Paint that has some TB blood thrown in there. He's a big boned fellow and reminds me of the older style Paints, not the stocky halter type that look more like bulldogs than horses.

Magic is very lucky to have the owner that he does. He's had some past experiences that weren't pleasant. No one knows for sure what happened in his earliest years, but you can tell he's been handled roughly. His current owner has treated him with love and respect and she came to a point recently where she knew he needed more than she could offer him.

Magic and his owner attended my most recent natural horsemanship clinic. He arrived anxious and sweaty and high headed. He left more relaxed and she went home with a few tools, and I got a better glimpse into what we were working with. When he arrived today we got right to "work". It hardly feels like work. Work meaning that I spent the next hour evaluating him. He's a horse that lacks confidence, although he's curious. He's fearful, but will trust. He is reactive without thinking it through, but he also began asking me questions. In a short hours time, Magic and I made some connections.

He's not as complicated as I first imagined. It's just that Magic has a lot going on in between his ears when he's in a learning environment. My friend asked me today if he was a horse that just needed good leadership. I had to think about that. Too much leadership with this horse will send him over the edge. He would perceive me more as a predator than a leader. Today, I had to be a passive leader. Hardly a leader really. Just maybe more of a tour guide!

I thought he made some really positive changes in the time I was with him. I found his "hot spots" as I call them. Things and places that cause him anxiety. Those areas will be addressed as we develop our relationship. First off though...the three R's: relaxation, release and respond. No progress can be made if there isn't relaxation. I can teach him how to relax, how to release the tension he holds and how to respond positively. Once that's all in place everything else comes quickly and fairly easy for the horses.

I look forward to the next few weeks with Magic. The most rewarding part to me is seeing the changes take place and helping horses like him feel more comfortable in their own skin. And each horse has something to teach me, too. I've said before that they often teach me more than I teach them.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

another journey

Today, the rescue horses from NM will begin their journey east. If all goes well, they should arrive Thursday. The plan is to unload them right into pens in the indoor arena where they will be closely monitored and get settled. Although the horses will have some winter coat, inside the arena they will be warmer and protected from the wind while they recover from their long trip. I am very excited to see the horses again!

The arrival of these horses is a bittersweet event. The Baca family has dispersed their herd. Sixty years of breeding Colonial Spanish horses has now come to an end. It is very sad for the family. The aweful drought and Mr. Baca's failing health has prompted this dispersal. No matter the reason, the herd is seperated.

Just a little history: The Baca Chica farm sits directly on the Camino Real, the first road to carry Spanish explorers. In the late 1500's Don Juan Onate led his people to Inscription rock at El Morro National Monument along this road. The actual road, over 400 years old, is still clearly visible on the Baca property. The horses would often cross this path in their daily meanderings. Sixty years of the Baca family breeding America's first horse produced a unique southwest strain recognized as "critically endangered" by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.

The first time I visited the Baca Chica Farm I stood on this dirt path under the ancient cottonwood trees and it was a moving experience. To envision the Spaniards exploring the new world on their little horses, the same type that the Baca Family has preserved, was powerful. I remember that moment clearly.

The dispersal of this herd is more than just relocating some horses. It's the end of an era. Most of the mares are retired from breeding now, a few young ones are still looking for homes, and only 4 stallions of this strain remain. One will be with us in Vermont. One is in Texas, and the Baca's hope to keep two of them on the farm.

In 2005 when my first trailer load of Baca horses arrived in Vermont, (Morado and Ringo were on that load) they were blessed by a Catholic priest before they left. He felt so strongly and often said that these horses were bridging the gap between New Mexico and Vermont. They were here to help educate people about the rich history of New Mexico, the Spaniards, and how important these horses were in shaping America.

Now, 7 years later, as we await the arrival of this small group, the last and finest (in my opinion!) of the Baca horses are arriving at The Center, a facility and organization that was inspired by Adelantado, our first horse from New Mexico.

There are a lot of mixed emotions today. Feeling sad for the Baca's as they watch the last of their horses get loaded, but also so excited to be able to help the horses and care for them, and to provide them a bright future. They are beautiful spirits.We are able to carry on the legacy for the life of these horses, although sadly, I feel it is too late strengthen the gene pool at this point.

If not for the support from people all over the country this would not be happening. We raised almost exactly enough money to cover transport expenses. From here on out we are looking at additional expenses for hay we had not planned on.

Fundraising is not easy. It takes energy, time and committment. It means going out of our comfort zone asking for help. The goal at the Center is to be self sufficient through revenue from our programs and other events. We do not want to rely on private donations forever. We are writing grants and working diligently to raise money. Until then however, we are developing a sponsorship program for these horses exclusively, reaching out to individuals and businesses who are interested in supporting the horses.

As the horses begin their trek, I will be in close touch with Tony from Troja horse transport. I know he will take good care of the precious cargo. I will be blogging daily on their whereabouts and updates.

Thank you everyone for your well wishes. May we continue to serve the horses with your help.

Stephanie
www.centerforamericasfirsthorse.org