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!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, June 21, 2010
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.
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.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
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!
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!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
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!
"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!
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!
Friday, June 18, 2010
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.
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.
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