Making Progress

We got a lot done today. Picked up a trailer load of hay that's been owed to me for 9 months. That's good to get that off my plate. Eliza rode Maya today and what a super little horse she is. Eliza felt really confident on her and Maya just trucked around the arena so willing. We noticed today that Maya seems sort of unemotional. I think it's because she's been a school horse and hasn't been able to bond with anyone.

Summer has made some really good changes. She was relaxed and quiet today, we saddled her and I sat on her. Her owner came to watch our session and she ended up sitting on her, too. That was nice to see. Will do more tomorrow with her.

Then there's Pete. Pete is a CS gelding I have for a few days of evaluation as as sales project. He's not had a job for a few years. He's well-fed, sassy, and up until mid-morning, pretty disrespectful of my space. I'd had Pete for training a few years ago so I know what he knows. And he knows what I know! After some "discussion" with him about what I know and what he forgot, he dropped his head, licked and chewed, and finally gave up dominating me. Then Eliza the guinea pig got on him while I stayed attached to the line and she walked and trotted him around with no problems at all. Tomorrow I'll ride him in earnest.

Augustine, a three year old, who is the sweetest thing, had his first day of riding. Eliza has spent her time preparing him (it didn't take much) for today. She walked and trotted on him. Then we put a bridle on him and turned him out into the arena to get used to that. It took him about 15 minutes to stop chewing on it. I don't plan to use a bit for riding him this year, but he is sales project and it's only fair he gets a good introduction to the bit now while I have him.

And the big news...the excavator is parked in the driveway to begin clean up of the house site!!! For those who haven't been to The Center, the house that was on the property was donated to the fire station about 5 years ago for a training. But the mess was never cleaned up. By the weekend, I think it'll be done and we'll have a site for the future indoor arena. The views are incredible, it's the highest point on the property and not inclined to flooding due to our heavy rain. A perfect place for the indoor!!!

And I can't forget to mention Shy who continues to be a pleasure to work with each day. I just adore her!

Maya's Story

Some of you reading this may have already heard about Maya, the grulla mare for sale. I've posted on the CS horse message boards, or Facebook. I thought she deserved her own blog post. She's special. Aren't they all, though?

I'd heard about her from the Focus message board. She was in Maine, not too far from me. With so few CS horses in New England, I kept her on my radar but only last week felt compelled to call about her. "I do not need another horse, I do not need another horse, I do not need another horse, etc." When I learned she was at a sales barn my heart went out to her. I consider sales barns like used car lots. Some are better than others. Some with good reputations, some not so good.

I put it out there that I'd be willing to go get her if someone in the CS community wanted to buy her. I sent a few emails out hoping someone would be interested. A few hours later I received a reply from a friend of The Center for America's First Horse. They would be willing to purchase her for me so she ends up in the right hands. The donor wishes to remain anonymous.

The money was sent and in two days Eliza and I left to pick her up in southern Maine. When we arrived I knew this was all meant to be. Maya was a beautiful specimen of a Spanish Mustang. She looked so different from the other 25+ horses at this sales barn. It was like she was coming home. I almost took another little horse home that broke my heart and had to remind myself to stick to my mission, which is the CS horses. He was Maya's best friend in the herd. The only horse that whinnied at her when she left. ("stick to my mission, stick to my mission.")

So Maya loaded up and off we went. When we arrived home all the other curious faces came to fence to greet her. No squeals, no kicking, just a friendly sniff, as if she was saying hello to old friends. I know they know they are related some how.

There hasn't been a settling in period at all. She's right at home. Today I got on her for the first time. She's been very willing to do anything I've ask of her. She's sweet, loves attention and has good manners. Someone has put a lot of time into her. She was used as a lesson horse the last number of years so I do think she's sort of on auto pilot when ridden, and I can tell that inexperienced riders have been on her mostly. She seems very honest and has potential.

Now the puzzle...Maya is branded, but has no registration papers. Her breeders are from South Dakota (Caballos des Destinos, www.sorraiamustangs.com ) and I spoke with them tonight. They are going to do some research so I can find out who here dam and sire are and I'll get her registered. She comes from Sorraia bloodlines. Thank goodness she had the brand.

For now, Maya is a part of our family. What her future will hold, I'm not sure. It's a struggle to keep them all, but some of them I know belong as permanent residents. She may be one of them!

Where have the days gone? Since last Sunday we've been getting more fencing up. I'm convinced now this is a never ending project. Possibly I have an obsession with putting up fence?!

Did get most of the horses turned out onto the new pasture. Still need to brushhog badly, but one thing at a time. A tractor (with mowing deck) is on my wish list. Arena fencing is up, but still have gates to put in. With all this heavy rain I cant even use the arena now though so I'm working the horses in other areas of the property. Just as it dries up, we get another day of thunderstorms. Hay isn't getting cut either so we may find ourselves in a bit of a crunch later in the season.

Shy continues to be a real gem. I like her more and more each day. She always had a willing face on, even though some of the things I've asked of her are taking her out of comfort zone a little bit. Her confidence is building by introducing her to new ideas. She's showing a more positive reaction to pressure now and accepting it, or yeilding to it, instead of running away from it.

Summer and I have worked some things out and today she was a perfect lady when we went for a walk through the woods. No crowding me, watching where her feet were and seemed a little bit more in her body than the last few days. Slowing things down for her is helping. She can be a little complicated as I get to know her. I think in a few more sessions I'll start saddling her and begin long- lining her in a way to prepare her for her first ride.

Summer fun!

Today was the first day I took Summer (the mare) out to the arena for some summer fun! I don't know how much fun SHE had, but I learned more about who she is. For a little thing she is a tough nut to crack! Took lots of sweating and breathing hard (on her part, not mine) to start to loosen her up physically as well as mentally. She comes off being dominant and unsensitive, but I think that's a front she puts up. She got a little nervous, it showed in her gaits, when she was asked..then told to do something. Lots of circling game and patterns settled her down to where she was looking where she was going and thinking more.

I got to thinking about it later in the day...she hasn't been in with other horses since she was a baby. She's lived with a companion horse over the fence the last 3 years I think. Socially, I think she's missed some vital education and to prove this theory to myself I put Montego out with her today.

Montego is very dominant, but also fair. My other horses read him well, he's very clear in his communication but not mean, just appoints himself herd boss and that's that.

They have had a chance to visit over the fence since Friday so Summer wasn't a complete stranger to him. I let him loose in her pasture and she ingnored him. He walked over to her and she walked away. Dissed him. Very similar body language as to when she did that to me the first day I had her. He approached her again and she scooted right by him. Familiar. No agression, no emotion really. He was curious who this chick was! So he went over and put his nose to her tail and then spun around and didn't kick at her but moved her sideways with his little rump! She didn't get out of the way too quick. He walked away from her to go eat hay. HMMMM, I'm thinking, how familiar is this looking?

She walked over and went for the hay...but didn't ASK PERMISSION from lead horse so he pinned his ears and postured at her. She moved quicker this time. Then she got mad. She stormed around him, swinging her head, swishing her tail. She trotted back and forth infront of the hay. He completely ignored her which was sort of funny to watch. Each time she'd try to snatch hay from the pile, he'd pin his ears at her and posture if needed. She was getting it. Finally, she stood there about 10 feet away and put her head down, asking for permission to come eat. He said OK. He made her do the dance first though! hehehehehe

I continued to watch the dynamics till I was sure all was well and she could eat with him. I'm going to let Montego teach her about respect and space and asking questions. It'll make my job easier if she can learn to read those signs from another horse first. It never ceases to amaze me how much a herd can help me train. I'm looking forward to working with her tomorrow and see what kind of changes she's going to make.

many hands make light work

A real work day today! We put in the mega posts for the arena, another 40 posts for a new pasture, another 9 posts for a corral off the arena, got a pick up truck of hay from down the road. During the day we had two major rainy periods, then turned to sun. Gotta love those Vermont thunderstorms. I've been wet and dry so many times today I'm not sure if my clothes are cleaner or not that when I started the day!

Many many thanks to Saul, from Johnson Hardware who came out and operated the auger for us. Spectacular! And to Steph 2, friend and helper from Michigan who is camping at the Center for the summer. Thanks to Joe R., teenage boy labor, and to Tori for driving nice and close to the posts so Steph could set them, and Eliza for being an extra hand and doing whatever I told her. Alicia came mid afternoon and gave me a break helping with hauling hay and filling in the holes. And thanks to Jo SC for letting me borrow her truck to do all this work since mine IS BACK IN THE SHOP till Wednesday! (argh.)

What a productive day! Getting more fencing up is a huge accomplishment. So much more needs to be done but one thing at a time. Tomorrow I hope to get the arena completed so we have an enclosed area to ride and train in.

A slice of pizza and some ice cream and I'm off to bed!

Summer's first day

Summer and I have some things to get clear. She pretty much disses me in every way. She's super smart though and under a little pressure,
"gets it". The morning started off with me walking into her corral to halter her and put her fly mask on. She didn't even look at me and just wandered past me like I wasn't even there. Hmmmm, I thought. Wow, I'm not even here? Do you not see me? Yooo-hooo, Summer, come and get me! Nothing. No respect. That changed within about 10 minutes.

I sent her around her corral until she was huffing and puffing. An early morning jog. I'd give her the opportunity to stop and face me but nothing. Keep going then. She went, and went and went. At one point she ignored my idea about changing directions and ran right through the rope I was swinging at her. Hmmmm, how interesting!

She started to work up a sweat and I took the pressure off of her and she did stop, but didn't face me or look at me. She got to breathe a little bit then I sent her off again. Another 5 minutes and she was asking to stop. She did, stood at attention at least facing me, but still not looking at me. A few more rounds and she made some changes. Still not walking up to me, but at least paying attention. Sheesh, she didn't have to make it so hard for herself.

She got her fly mask on and I fed her breakfast. All was good with Summer and I.

Later in the day I entered her corral again and she looked at me. She stopped what she was doing and watched me. She turned and faced me as I walked around. I went up to her and petted her face, then left.

Tomorrow I bet she'll have a different attitude. I can't expect to train her to do anything if I don't have a certain level of respect and obedience just entering her corral. Once that's settled, then we can move on to other fun things. She'll come around really quick. The light will go on, it was only burning dimly this morning!

A 3 hour tour!

Oscar cantered down to the barn this morning, whinnying and upset about something. I was suspicious as I had let Ringo and his buddy Thunder out to do some mowing about an hour earlier. It was too quiet around the place and I got to thinking that perhaps they had gone on a little adventure and Oscar had given me the warning. I got in the car to drive down the road, just following my instinct, and sure enough there were my two renegades (teachers pets about a month ago!) tied to the neighbors tree. Now here in VT a neighbor is not just next door, a neighbor can be as close as three or four miles away, but the horses were about 1 mile down the road.

They had gone through the woods, on a trail that I have not explored yet. As I was talking to the kind people who had haltered and tied them, Thunder slipped the halter off his head and took off back through the woods. I hopped on Ringo bareback with rope and halter and went to find him, hoping to pony him back home. But Thunder was long gone. I called Tori from my cell phone and told her I couldn't find Thunder. She said he'd just arrived back at the barn. Good!

Ringo and I were having a nice ride back and he must have thought I knew where I was going. Well, I didn't. 2 HOURS later I found my way back where we belonged!!! My internal GPS system had failed. Ringo had slowed down at a few trail intersections and I should have listened to him. Stupid human, he must have thought!

When I really felt like I'd taken a wrong turn I came off the trail into somebodys yard and was greeted by 2 HUGE llamas!! OMG was my reaction and Ringo was more curious about them than anything. But now they were coming at us. I jumped off quickly, not wanting to get dumped should Ringo bolt from fright. I had to shoo the llamas with my spare rope and tried to run away from them! We made it out alive and got out of their yard pronto. As soon as we got out of the llama driveway I kind of knew what road we were on. Had to back track another mile to get in more familiar surroundings.

It was a great day for an unexpected trail ride. This must have been Ringo's way of getting me away from all the chores and on to a horses back. I would have chosen a saddle and even a rope halter would have been nice, but here I was bareback, heavy web halter that was too big, still had my tape measure attached to my jeans, no helmet, etc.

It was almost three hours later that we arrived back to the barn! Ringo was just a great ride and was having a good time. He loves adventures. I like adventures and this one was pretty spontaneous. For the record, no more horses doing the mowing till I can get perimeter fencing up!

Mare # 2 has arrived

Today another mare came in for a month of training. She's a 4 year old chestnut Morgan, about 14 hands. A cute little thing named Summer. I'd had a chance to work with her and her owner last fall. Summer is an older style Morgan, no saddlebred or Arab blood in her, but not as chunky as the Lippitt's. Last fall she was learning some basic ground skills, getting her more respectful and engaged in her learning.

Interesting time getting her on the trailer today to come to "camp". She definately challenged my savvy. In the end, we all learned a thing or two. I was not expecting her to be quite so resistant, but as I kept saying to her owner, this isn't about The Trailer, it's about a lack of respect, and lack of yielding to pressure. Now I know where we'll be starting from when I spend time with her tomorrow. She's not been away from home ever and she settled right in. We'll make good progress over the next month.

Shy has been really funny to get to know. She secretely likes to eat her hay with Ringo, a cute gelding that is in the neighboring pasture. She pushes her hay under the fence and he quietly comes over and munches on it next to her. He could have eaten with his best buddie Thunder, but he chose to eat next to her. If he moves too quickly, she squeaks at him and swishes her tail, and he ignores it! Gosh, this sounds so familiar!!!

I've been taking her out and getting her feet moving around me. She's super sensitive to pressure (ya' think?!),her first response is flight, not fight (unlike other unnamed mare that arrived today.) Shy really does like to be petted though, and finding that spot under her mane on her crest was the best thing that happened a few days ago. I've still not turned her out into the bigger field yet but I think fairly soon I'll feel okay about that. She walks up to me every time to be haltered. Coyote and her have not really bonded yet to say the least. He's protecting his herd and feels very threatened by her, but in reality she's just lacking confidence and protecting her space. I really don't think she's being mean, just taking care of herself. As her confidence grows within herself, she'll make changes with the vibes she gives to other horses.

Fascinating creatures they are.

Shy continues to be a good girl. She walks up to me in her corral and if given a few minutes to sniff me all over, will stand for haltering just fine. She loves to be scratched under her voluptious mane. She's a mare that needs time to accept things, but seems willing enough to give it a try. She seems to question my intentions so I enter her space with none. Just go in and hang out in her corral, pick up manure, rake her hay into a pile, just meander around and smile at her a lot.

The first day I noticed all the licking and chewing and sighing she did. Even yesterday when I was just standing next to her while she was haltered, she released a lot of stress. When she's not haltered is when she's more leary and tight. Having her halter on is like holding her hand and she feels more relaxed.

No doubt she is one of the "prettiest" of mares I've had the honor to work with. A very fine and dainty presence. Her movement is amazing, so light on her feet and free moving.

Today we'll go for a walk around the property and show her the sights. Just hanging out with her with no agenda is on the agenda for the next few days. As we go for walks she learn the basics of yielding to pressure and respecting my space. Shy is the kind of horse that could be overwhelmed easily by "training". I think all I have to do is show her how and she'll get it.

Noticed that she's not desensitized to things around her hind end. Thank goodness for the carrot stick, a handy tool to reach those places from a 4 foot distance. Will keep me out the kick zone while she gets used to handling back there. She's lightening fast with those hind feet as I've witnessed when the geldings come to her fence out of curiosity. Just protecting her sacred space.

I've had horses change their attitudes within the herd once they gain confidence of themselves. For right now though she'll stay by herself and bat her eyelashes at the boys from over the fence. Coyote has been charging the fence at her-- feeling threatened by her presence. He's top dog and everyone knows it. Just making it clear to her he'll keep that position. However, yesterday I did see them actually sniffing noses without signs of aggression from either one. That was progress on both their parts. They'll come to an understanding. Coyote is like the watch dog of the property. Right...his name is Coyote!

That will bring me to another blog entry in a few days...the importance of choosing the right name.

Uneventful

Not only was getting Shy off the trailer at midnight a total non issue, she is warming up quickly to us. She's just a dainty and beautiful little thing with gorgeous hair! Her mane was full of knots and Tori used her cosmetology knack to do Shy up just right! She loved it and the attention she got.

Did put her in her corral for a bit to get her bearings straight and later she walked up to me to be haltered. Looks like writing this blog about her training journey may not be as interesting as I thought! Nothing tells me she's going to be a difficult horse to bring along.

In my evaluation of her she's looking for someone to bond with and is ready to get her brain stimulated and get to work. She's pretty much business-like, wants a job and has a good work ethic. She seems like an eager student.

I do see where I'll need to spend some extra time getting her more relaxed around her hindquarters with the carrot stick, rope, then my hands. As she was trotting through the tall grass, it went up between her hind legs and she got worried some snake had hold of her!!! She just scooted away, tail tucked, but that was a normal response for a horse that hasn't been desensitized in that area. After a few more trips through the grass, she was fine.

I'll put her out in her corral for the whole day today and let the rest of the herd get to know her over the fence. They really aren' t that interested in her. She may be hurt by that fact. She does walk with confidence and she knows she's pretty. I'll post pictures on Facebook tonight.

Off to start my day.

She's on her way

Looks like Shy will be arriving around midnite. ugh. Late night at the barn. Not the first time, nor will it be the last. The shippers are going to re load her into their small trailer so they can make it up our narrow driveway, that way I don't have to walk her 1/4 mile in the dark in a strange place. Batemans Horse Vans, my official shipper, takes good care.

Apparently, Shy loaded right on the trailer at 3:30 a.m. Sharon was half asleep when she loaded her since she'd been up already with two mares who foaled. And I thought I was sleep deprived. Way to go Sharon! I had mentioned to Sharon the other day that these Colonial Spanish horses do rise to the occasion when needed and lets hope that Shy will too. Given that Shy and Sharon aren't really best of friends (!) Shy did prove herself at 3:30 a.m.! Way to go Shy!

Hoping that unloading will be uneventful.

Saturday night I have a mare coming in from Virginia for training. Given her background, and her reputation, I thought it'd be fun to blog about her progress along the way.

She's a 6 year old Colonial Spanish with high percentage Choctaw blood in her. Raised in TX, purchased by Pam Keeley, my friend in Switzerland. The mare has been living at Rainbows End Farm for a year or so, hoping she had been bred but must have lost the foal back in the fall as she's not pregnant now. Pam decided it was time to get the mare on track to becoming a useful citizen and my job is to fulfill her wishes!

Apparently, Cheyenne, or Shy Anne, has a reputation for not finding any comfort in us humans. She's kicked a few people in her lifetime, has to be sedated to pick up her hind feet, and basically has no use for people. Pam tells me she's a very competitive mare in the herd, dominant to the extreme at times. She's a pistol!

Well, do not fear...I've dealt with this type before. This is the type of horse that so often gets sent from owner to owner, no one understanding the horse.

I've already got a plan for her from the get-go, the minute she's unloaded. Right off, this isn't about training her to be ridden or to drive. It's about gaining her trust and respect. Once that is in place, then we can move forward from there. She is going to have to rely on me for her basic neccesities. Yes, she's a challenge...many are wishing me luck with her (I'm sure questioning the outcome) but I am looking forward to the challenge and find how these horses think very intriguing. I love watching the little changes they make.

So stay tuned for the adventures of Chey, coming to a blogspot near you!!!

Business as usual

Nothing like a little rain to keep things green! All weekend it's been on and off, but mostly on. Summer in Vermont.

Eliza has been playing with our 3 year old Augustine who has always been the sweetest, cutest little guy. He's what they call a pocket pony. Loves kids and very laid back. He's one of our sales projects (although I'd love to keep him, too!) and Eliza is taking him on this summer to get started under saddle. Yesterday she saddled him, tightened the girth fully, played with him a little bit, then I gave her a leg up and led her around on him. He could have cared less. Never showed one little concern about any of it.

I'm sure in a few more sessions she'll be able to ride him around the arena. Maybe I'll pony her a few times until we get the arena fencing up. I totally don't worry about him being silly or fresh. My plan for Augustine is to find him a home that would campaign him in the hunter show pony circuit. He's a great representative of the breed.

Looking forward to some volunteers today helping me get the posts in the ground to start putting up the arena fencing. I'm grateful to Judi who donated over 100 fence posts to The Center! Thing is they are huge cedar posts so I'll have to rent an auger and a few teenagers to put them in.

Busy week coming up. Schools on it's way out, have visitors coming to the farm, and preparing for the arrival of two CS mares from Virginia. Have my flyers done for the Summer Kids Program and \need to get those out to the local schools. Board meeting on Tuesday and horses to get out and played with. Did I miss anything?! Oh, yeah, getting my back window replaced. It's always something.

In the meantime, we continue to see pictures on Facebook from the Belmont event. Latest one from Photonic health...the folks who used their light therapy on Oscar. A great product and such nice people.

I am still recieving photos and feedback from the Northeast Equine Expo. That's a good sign that we made an impression there! Still talking about it around the barn and having some good laughs!

It's been nice to spend more time with the horses the last few days. Gearing up to get more fencing in so I can accomodate two new mares coming next week. One is a training and sales project, the other is a lovely young mare that has been given to me to use in my program. Both are coming from Rainbows End Farm in Virginia. Sharon has been breeding some very nice Colonial Spanish horses. The mare that is the training project came from TX originally, has a high % of Choctaw in her.

Managed to return my borrowed trailer today but before I could let it go I had to make sure to bash in the rear window of my truck first!!! Not kidding. While I was backing it into its parking place I turned too sharp and the gooseneck hit the window. When I get a new trailer...it won't be an extra wide---guaranteed. I needed that like I needed a hole in my head.

Looking forward... next week is the last week of school for the kids then SUMMER BEGINS! I've got visitors scheduled for tours of The Center all month, horses coming and going, and three 3 year olds that will get started this year. Eliza has set her sights on getting Augustine started. That'll be a great match and a wonderful project for her. Tori will be assisting me with the summer kids program and keeping her horses in work-that means making sure Oscar is getting 5 STAR service!!!! The Belmont event really got her excited about riding and showing her horses off.

Stay tuned for more adventures!