Three years ago I did something similar....sold 15 of their horses in about 3 months.
They (my mom and Bruce), used to breed and sell horses. They would also take in unwanted horses. The 14 are the ones they have left after all of these years.
There is also a possibility that they will be majorly downsizing, so having 14 horses just isn't a reality anymore.
So, I figured this summer is going to be an interesting and exciting one...full of 'impossiblities' and adventure!
I would not be taking on this responsibility if I was doing it by myself and didn't feel at peace with my decision.
With God, all things are possible (especially when it's his idea in the first place).
So, the two horses that I will be working with this summer (at this point) are Spirit and Sierra. Sierra is the mama of Spirit, and they are sweethearts. Spirit hasn't had much training, but Sierra was worked with/ridden before my mom bought them 9 years ago; she might be just more of a tune-up.
I went to visit this weekend to check them out and mess with them a little bit. They have literally been on pasture for the last 9 years....having an occasional hoof trim and worming. So, I don't expect 'much'. I was shocked that Spirit walked right up to me in pasture and was totally okay with me loving on her and eventually putting the halter on. Bruce says she has been more 'lovey' lately, she used to just run away from them. Good sign for me :)
We walked Spirit and Fancy (one of the older broodmares) back up closer to the barns to see if we would trim feet at all. Spirit did well leading, she started to get nervous about being away from the herd, even though she was with Fancy, so I really tried to not get caught up in her adrenaline rush and do what I could to stay safe in case she decided to get completely right-brained (instinctual) on me.
She didn't want to have anything to do with getting her feet done...she started pushing me around with her shoulder and 'dragging' Bruce on three legs, so I decided to not worry about that for the time being.
I started working on getting her to move away from rhythmic pressure from the lead rope, her front hind end. She caught on pretty quickly to that. Then I decided to just walk around the paddock area with her...about 10 seconds after I started that, she blew out, released her adrenaline and licked her lips. Good signs. Then I took her to the water tank so she could get a drink.
I was much more aware of my body language and energy then ever have been before (working with a new horse). I kept calm and assertive (as Cesar Milan would say...haha). Started to do some confidence building with throwing the rope over her neck/back rhythmically, she was having a difficult time with that. Did as best I could and stopped when she calmed down. Then the wind started picking up more and it was getting chilly, so we decided to put them back out.
I walked with Spirit back out to the herd. I let her graze for a minute and then took the halter off. She didn't run away or anything, and I walked away from her. Went back up to her a few mins later and she let me love on her for a few mins again. I think it was a successful first session.
We tried to get Sierra to come up with us initially, but she got away from Bruce and he decided to catch Fancy hoping the rest of the herd would follow. So, I wanted to go love on her for a bit. She avoided me for a few mins and then eventually let me in. I loved on her for 5-10 mins and then walked away.
I think Spirit is a LBI/RBI, she goes right-brained in new situations. But she is sensitive and seemed to be a people pleaser. I am looking forward to working with both of them! They will make somebody very happy!
