Love this horse at work, I started working with her on Wednesday and what a state she was lol she had no ablilty to manage herself and was really stuck in fight and flight mode thinking she had to save herself from the world, after the first session we got rid of her worry to constantly be thinking that something was going to kill her and that there are better ways to manage herself much calmly and be safer to be around, 2nd day we worked on manners and repsect and today was a recap of everything and now we are ready to do a restart, she has turned Into a calm thinking horse that is a so wonderful to be around, I just love her, FYI not all horses can make progress like this over 3 days, they are all individual and its important to only move past each step when the horse totally understands and is relaxed.
I just realized this, who else didn't know or already knew lol
Cj is going well, he was backed last night and everything went nice and quiet and sensible. I'll show this last video I took as love Kim's smile at the end of the achievement he felt. He is really loving working with us and learning a different way to do things and how starting a horse doesn't have to be a huge deal if done right working with the horses needs.
More action, we have had the beautiful Astra with us also for a little while growing up and learning how to handle hills, we started a backing with her last year and decided she wasn't mentally or physically ready, so put her in with our herd for her to grow and learn about hills as she had no idea how to go down or up one as was born on flat paddocks, she is now like a goat and balanced up nicely, she is mentally ready also, this week we continued where we left off from last year and she hadn't forgotten a thing so we were able to get a rider on for the first time and she is away off to a great start, today off lead for first time and was fabulous.
Wow I have been super slack on horse updates but that dosent mean we haven't been busy, some will remember updates on echo the grey mare, yes she is still here lol but going home next week, in all our years of working with horses Echo has stretched our minds and training and at times feeling like we were hitting our heads against a brick wall, she has throwing everything at us that a horse could possibly think up lol, we have never come across a mare like her, she came to us a pretty up tight anxious horse that loved to explode with minimal handling where anythingbeing done with her caused her to lose her mind, we are now proud to say she is a super relaxed, calm, cuddle, brave mare who loves to be out enjoying the world around her, happy out on her own or in a group, able to conquer all terrain while keeping a calm demeanor, walk, trot, canter on a loose rein just loving ridden life, this has been a very long break in with her needing time and breaks and it sure has paid off, she is a completely different horse to what arrived last year but the hard yards, determination, love and dedication we have put into her has paid off, its been so excellent that she has a wonderful owner who was happy to wait so we could work with Echo and bring out the best in her, I think in other hands she would have not had the understanding and time that was needed for such a unique horse personality. Also Well done Echo for all your learning and understanding, Im going to miss your cuddles and cant wait to see you out eventing in the future. I wish I could add more videos but fb isn't letting me arrgghhh.
With the terrible tragic events going on after the cyclone with so much loss it was beautiful to feel this joy today.
We talk about trust and partnership with your horse and how it is so important. This video shows the partnership I have with my beautiful horse Willow and her first foal.
The most magical moment happened to me and worth the watch, the little fella came and sat down beside me and rested on me, this was my first real touch of him not even asked for, super special just this but what made this moment the most special was Willow then trusting and having a sit down beside me, I have had Willow since she was a weanling and I feel she took the moment while he was with me to be able to have a relax knowing I would hold a safe space for the both of them and it was ok to be vulnerable and sit down. Oh my, my heart is melted 💓 This truly showed me I'm seen as part of her herd. This is the ultimate partnership with a horse. Amazing for a first time mum xoxo dosent get better than this.
On beautiful hot boxing day, what better place for the herd to have access to than there swim pond, I came to check on them and by the looks of them all they all had been in but managed to catch the tail end of these guys having a splash.
What a weekend and competition Cowboy Challenge North Auckland put on for everyone, such a welcoming club, great company, fab judges great course and so good to catch up with everyone after finally getting to compete this season, myself (Emma) came away with a 3rd in a very competitive Intermediate class, my highlight out on the course over the 2 days was finally achieving a side pass over the large barrels, Rick was so excited for me as you will hear in the video lol, Dream has always said no way mum but today it all came together, a bit sticky but I don't care we did it and can improve. I'm also excited to try out one of my prizes from one of the sponsors Healthy Horses Inside Out. Bring on the next competition in January with Cowboy Challenge Waikato, So proud to be a member of both clubs its an awesome sport with great people.
Its not always sunshine and flowers backing horses, it always has it moments, thankfully Rick isnt to sore and sadly I didn't catch it all on camera haha as dream decided she didn't want to be anywhere near any of that going on lol.
Well today started off great with echo, everything was going great, but like all young horses, well actually any horse things can change in an instant. Check out the next video lol.
Echo is making strides ahead, slow and steady has really paid off , taking small steps to get the big ones with her and her confidence is so great now, it is helping so much with her riding, she's ready to get out over the farm and see what life's about, I think if rick had walked out the gate she would have been extremely happy and confident to do so.
Echo is coming along nicely, trying super hard, A bit sticky but better than rushing and getting heated up, which we thought could be possible with her but hasn't happened, she is still needing someone on the ground to offer her support when needed but this is something we always do and works well for the horse and helps them gain confidence for while getting use to a rider as its something they are use to up to this point, having a human on the ground supporting them and giving directions, at this point they need to make the connection that the rider is now in charge of the directions and its ok.
Saddle on for Denim for the first time being here and having not seen one since he was turned out, he wasn't even tied up, I loved working with him, such a dude, a tidy up and more muscling and he will be looking incredible, He has the biggest heart and soul.
