So, I am going to share Don's (Fiona's new trainer) notes from the first 2 weeks of work.
11/1 - Saddle- work in roundpen - ground drive, no turn or stop but would back up. Layed down, didn't go easily - kept her down first time for 25 mins before she relaxed. Layed down twice more. Horse bucked hard when saddled - skinned her knees - tied her for 5 hours (he means tying her to a post with access to water, this is not abuse so don't even start)
11/8 - Tied for 2.5 hours - bridle - roundpen 1/2 hour ground drive.
11/9 - Off
11/10 - Tied for 2 hours - Roundpen - rope. Tied her head down (not sure what this means) and left her in Roundpen for 3 hrs.
11/11 - 8cc wormer, bridle tied up for 6 hours, roundpen ground drive
11/12 - ground drive - tied up - lead around property. Mare getting much better. Calm. Touch her head (she enjoys this). Can't pony because she bites and tries to kick lead horse - very mean in one sense but no self confidence. Every thing and every day is a new experience. She trust me and when in fear comes to me for a companion!! Help me - written all over.
11/13 - Tied up in new area for 2.5 hours calmed down after about 15 mins. Ground drive - very nice!
11/14 - Worked in roundpen 1/2 hour in morning walked around property. Everything went well. Worked in roundpen again in the PM. Mare will stand at command and likes to be bruched and touched on forehead and ears.
11/15 - Worked in roundpen. Run both ways stops and comes to me when asked. Put a good sweat on - tied up for 4 hours - ground drive - good one rein stops, turns well - Pick up feet now easily - leads well.
11/16 - Work in roundpen - Brush - pick up feet - tied up 2 hours - ground drive - works well not afraid of ropes. stop - back up, turns, liked to have head rubbed.
11/17 - Roundpen - follows and leads well. Spook starting to go away. Tractors and cars, tied 3 hours by tack room - ground drive
11/18 - Roundpen 1 hr - rope on her head getting much better - tied up by my tack room - roping dummy beside her - a little nervous - but not overly. Mare like to run (lord help me, and that's not from Don's notes) starting to get control on voice commands.
11/?? - Set out in roundpen - worked only about 20 mins.
Those are all the notes I have so far, but here's the kicker...she MUCH better with her ground manners. The even BETTER news is, he desensitized her to PLASTIC BAGS! Now you have to understand, most horses are annoyed by plastic bags but they were a mortal enemy to Fiona. Last Sunday, I watch Don rub her stem to stern with a plastic bag and she barely moved a muscle. She wasn't thrilled about it, but she DIDN'T spook! It was amazing!
We walked her across the property and she was so calm I was actively LOOKING for ways to get her excited! I was unsuccessful, and VERY happy about it.
So the interesting part is that Don started out not thinking this mare was going to make it through her issues. I am still not sure he believes that *I* am going to make it past my fears and insecurities about riding her, but he is convinced the horse will be ok. I have got news for him, we are BOTH going to get through this and we will ride together.
I didn't come this far to not realize my dream. My dream is to take Fiona out to a wide open, flat area, lean down and whisper in her ear, "You remember all those years that you were locked in that stall, and you couldn't stretch your legs? Well I want you to let all that out." Then I give her a good squeeze in the sides and we take off at a full gallop. We just run it all out of her...all the fear, all the boredom and all the mean, nastiness of her past owner. We just run it all out of me, all the fear, all the boredom and all the mean, nastiness I have endured from doubters. Oh it's going to happen and I can't wait to share this accomplishment when the world. :)
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