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.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
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!
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!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, September 20, 2010
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.
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.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
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
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
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