Latest update to the blog & subscription news about HORSES NATURALLY. http://barbfenwick.blogspot.com/2009/12/getting-into-holiday-mode.html
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Getting into the holiday mode
Winter isn't officially here, but the snow has come & I got out for my first ski of the season today. I love the quietness when the snow has settled here and the snow dressing on all the trees, bushes, fences etc. So pretty.
The horses are still able to paw up some grass in the back 40 and seem to like getting out there for at least 1/2 a day yet. Its great, since it means they are still moving around and I am saving hay too!
My HORSES NATURALLY magazine will be out by early next week. It's the last FREE issue of the e-magazine. Subscriptions are 20.00 for a year, which is 4 issues. You can pay by paypal or cheque to me. Barb Fenwick, Box 248, Carberry, MB R0K 0H0 or paypal account - bfenwick@xplornet.com
I love doing the magazine, but it does take tons of time & effort, truly a second job for me. You will find articles in it that you won't find in "mainstream" horse magazines, that have to stay a bit more "politically correct" or middle of the road to keep there subscribers. I lay it out as it stands, and my sources are all professionals, passionate about giving the horse the best they can, naturally. I hope you can join our growing list of subscribers.
Have a wonderful holiday season. Eat, drink and ride!
The horses are still able to paw up some grass in the back 40 and seem to like getting out there for at least 1/2 a day yet. Its great, since it means they are still moving around and I am saving hay too!
My HORSES NATURALLY magazine will be out by early next week. It's the last FREE issue of the e-magazine. Subscriptions are 20.00 for a year, which is 4 issues. You can pay by paypal or cheque to me. Barb Fenwick, Box 248, Carberry, MB R0K 0H0 or paypal account - bfenwick@xplornet.com
I love doing the magazine, but it does take tons of time & effort, truly a second job for me. You will find articles in it that you won't find in "mainstream" horse magazines, that have to stay a bit more "politically correct" or middle of the road to keep there subscribers. I lay it out as it stands, and my sources are all professionals, passionate about giving the horse the best they can, naturally. I hope you can join our growing list of subscribers.
Have a wonderful holiday season. Eat, drink and ride!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Easy Boot sale
STOCK BLOW OUT SALE!!
On Easy Boot horse boots & accessories that we have in stock. This is a great opportunity to get your horse into that pair of boots for the next riding season or to get an extra boot in your size for replacement.
Attached is the entire list of stock & the regular & sale prices.
These will be final sale items. Prices do not include taxes or shipping from store at Seasons Ranch, Carberry, MB. Items can be picked up at Westgates in Headingly if pre-arranged.
EXAMPLE - PAIR OF SIZE 1 OR SIZE 2 OLD MAC BOOTS - REGULAR PRICE 197.95 - BLOW OUT PRICE - 100.00!!!!! FOR THE PAIR
It will be easier to "boot" your horse at these prices!! Some screw kits & ice stud kits also available.
Visit the Easy Boot website for sizing and product description - www.easycareinc.com
Contact Barb Fenwick - bfenwick@xplornet.com, 204-466-2776
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Time in the back 40
It was another beautiful day. Lately with this nice weather I have been heading out for walks in the back 40 where the horses hang out. I had done my loop of that pasture tonight and stopped on the way back to sit up on Cherokee Hill for awhile. For those that don't know, Cherokee Hill is where my Appy Cherokee is buried, and also our dog JD, who left us a year & month ago.
The waning sun set up a beauiful red sky, as I sat down up on the hill and put my back against a tree. Off in the distance about 400 yards our 4 horses grazed.
I was only settled for a couple minutes when Fancy headed toward me.
I was feeling very melancholy, reflecting on old JD, fighting tears. His grave site, adorned with a lovely home made cross, about 20 feet in front of me.
Fancy came right up to me, put her head down & I rubbed her face, neck and legs as I sat there. It was very soothing for me, as I was buried in my thoughts of JD. She stood there, visiting with me for a couple minutes, then went directly to JD's grave, stopping at the edge before stepping on the actual site. She bent her head and put her muzzle on the top of the cross. She seemed to gently rub it, lip it...then just stood there, hovered over it with her head lowered for another minute or so. She then turned and came right back to me, and stood over me, not moving. She didn't go anywhere else, nor show any concern about being away from her herd, which is quite unusual for this young horse. She stayed there until I rose. She is only 2 years old and oh so smart...and I am coming increasingly to know she is oh so sensitive as well. It's impossible at times like this to have any disbeleif in the theory that horses know your feelings and are more than capable to respond to them, isn't it? I think she is an old soul in a young buckskin hide.
She and the others followed me back to the barn. Serena came into the barn tonight, the first time since last friday, the day of her hoof trimming. I was able to rub her all over. She never moved away once, but stood and seemed to soak up the contact again, like she really missed it. She even mouthed my jacket at one point in an awkward attempt to reciprocate grooming that I was giving to her withers. It was an instinctive response, but yet still one that made her draw back after contact rather quickly, as if thinking it was a mistake, that she was not to put her muzzle on me. It's still another inch, even if it snapped back to shape...it still stretched.
What these animals bring to our table, King James could not bring with an entire court attending to him. We feast in their kindness, patience, intuitiveness and beauty.
The waning sun set up a beauiful red sky, as I sat down up on the hill and put my back against a tree. Off in the distance about 400 yards our 4 horses grazed.
I was only settled for a couple minutes when Fancy headed toward me.
I was feeling very melancholy, reflecting on old JD, fighting tears. His grave site, adorned with a lovely home made cross, about 20 feet in front of me. Fancy came right up to me, put her head down & I rubbed her face, neck and legs as I sat there. It was very soothing for me, as I was buried in my thoughts of JD. She stood there, visiting with me for a couple minutes, then went directly to JD's grave, stopping at the edge before stepping on the actual site. She bent her head and put her muzzle on the top of the cross. She seemed to gently rub it, lip it...then just stood there, hovered over it with her head lowered for another minute or so. She then turned and came right back to me, and stood over me, not moving. She didn't go anywhere else, nor show any concern about being away from her herd, which is quite unusual for this young horse. She stayed there until I rose. She is only 2 years old and oh so smart...and I am coming increasingly to know she is oh so sensitive as well. It's impossible at times like this to have any disbeleif in the theory that horses know your feelings and are more than capable to respond to them, isn't it? I think she is an old soul in a young buckskin hide.
She and the others followed me back to the barn. Serena came into the barn tonight, the first time since last friday, the day of her hoof trimming. I was able to rub her all over. She never moved away once, but stood and seemed to soak up the contact again, like she really missed it. She even mouthed my jacket at one point in an awkward attempt to reciprocate grooming that I was giving to her withers. It was an instinctive response, but yet still one that made her draw back after contact rather quickly, as if thinking it was a mistake, that she was not to put her muzzle on me. It's still another inch, even if it snapped back to shape...it still stretched.
What these animals bring to our table, King James could not bring with an entire court attending to him. We feast in their kindness, patience, intuitiveness and beauty.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
The day after Serena's trim, Nov 14th, Sat.
These are pics of Serena, a day after her trim. She wouldn't come in
the barn today (no surprise) so I had to get the pics outside, which don't show as well as on cement. She seems to be walking okay today, a little stiff on the sore back foot that was hurt during her fighting to stand yesterday. But not actually limping.
Her fronts I think still look long, tho I took them right back to white line..because there is NO height to her feet at all, they are all flat as flat can be, no concavity. I found it interesting that she had very little bar, but I guess because her foot is so flat & in the sand, it would wear them off more. Her frogs are nice & wide and amazingly good. Fronts are ski sloped for sure, but no visible white line separation at sole level. Actually good thick walls and good shape to foot otherwise.
It will be nice to see them develop some concavity. With regular trim I think she will have excellent feet. I took walls of about 1/4 to 3/4 inch off in places & bevelled where I could/while I could, but my time was limited due to her being doped & vet on the clock holding her.
the barn today (no surprise) so I had to get the pics outside, which don't show as well as on cement. She seems to be walking okay today, a little stiff on the sore back foot that was hurt during her fighting to stand yesterday. But not actually limping. 
Her fronts I think still look long, tho I took them right back to white line..because there is NO height to her feet at all, they are all flat as flat can be, no concavity. I found it interesting that she had very little bar, but I guess because her foot is so flat & in the sand, it would wear them off more. Her frogs are nice & wide and amazingly good. Fronts are ski sloped for sure, but no visible white line separation at sole level. Actually good thick walls and good shape to foot otherwise.
It will be nice to see them develop some concavity. With regular trim I think she will have excellent feet. I took walls of about 1/4 to 3/4 inch off in places & bevelled where I could/while I could, but my time was limited due to her being doped & vet on the clock holding her.It will be a challenge working with her to get better with her feet this winter. She is really a fighter & scared about her feet being taken, so will have to go slow & be consistant and persistant. For a horse that has only had its feet done twice in its life of 8 years, I guess they could be a lot worse!
Serena gets her hooves trimmed
Well, it was an interesting afternoon.
Vet "Earl" got here at about 2:30 on Friday. He is a very nice fellow, He is a gentle fellow and very patient. He also trims horses sometimes for friends.
Anyway, we discussed what to do and he gave her the dope that if we needed to put her down to sleep we could do that later. Well, sir, this is the toughest little horse to dope up that I or the vet have ever seen. It has to be because her panic mode is so close to the surface still that she fights everything coming her way.
After the first shot she did relax for awhile & I was able to do 1 front while standing. Then he had to give her another shot. Then I managed to get part of 2nd foot done & he had to give her a 3rd shot. Got the front done & tried to get a back foot & no sir...she would not stop fighting it and I decided to have him put her under. He gave her the shot & she went down in a minute or 2. I asked how long she should be under & he said for a good 20 min anyway.
Even when she went down she fought that dope ...twitching and breathing shallow and did that for a few minutes. Working quickly, I was on my 2nd hind when she finally settled down for a couple minutes. Got that one nipped & was just finishing up the filing when she violently awoke & wanted to get up. It was only after 10 minutes we figured.
Man did she fight...as she tried to get up. We had to open the door as she got herself up by the door & kinda cast. So got that opened and he got her outside. He said she should have not been able to stand at all, but that mare was standing, falling, moving and wide awake. I felt so horrible for her, we both did. We managed to keep her safe by directing her some, but she did get a nick on her back leg somehow during her struggle in the barn. It was really scary. I had to hurry to get things out of her way..the stand & stool etc....and thank god he had a hold of her, but he was tossed around alot in the process too as she would get up and fall again.
Anyway, her feet were done. She frogs were good & her bars were not bad either, I was surprised. Took lots of wall off & her feet are pretty flat, but well shaped. Took a bit more than usual off her backs because I figured it might be awhile before I can do them again. If worse comes to worse, will have to do them in spring with the vet again & this time he will do a different set of drugs to make sure she stays down. Also I would do them outside next time. The barn floor with the straw was part of the problem for her to try to get up.
He checked her front teeth after she settled down again & we got her into the corral. She has one front hook, but not bad he said. Also said her eye was fine from what he could see & couldn't figure why she was tearing more on that eye. Said she likely had a mild case of distemper or reaction from the shots that caused her fall cold, and she seemed pretty fine now. he could not preg check her. We had planned to do that while she was down after my trim...and obviously that didn't work out. She wouldn't let him at her butt. She is a smart girl and sure knew he was a different person and didn't trust him. If I knew what I was doing I am sure she would have let me...but anyway, he figures the odds are very slim she is preg. I had him take fecal from each horse except Spirit who didn't have poop around for us this aft. So will see where the worm count & type is at. ...I said I wanted types too.
So we got the deed done anyway. He said the tranq I got, Ace - is not that dependable in terms of it affecting horses differently...but may play with that a bit more this winter & see what she can tolerate. He said I could go up to 1.5 cup dosage for her size. He could really see how she is so filled with fear of things happening to her that she will fight any dope you give her. Spirit is like that too, ironically. He takes a megadose to put him under. When he hurt his eye that time we doped him 3 times and he still fought. Some are like that, their will and fear is so strong.
So what I need to continue to work on trust and relaxation this winter and desensitizing ..that is the only way to get her to be calm enough to eventually cooperate.
I took her halter off when we were done. I felt she had earned the release from that, had it on for last month, and I wanted to get it off her anyway. Earl said "oh you will have to start over" but of course I knew better. She knows I had no intention to hurt her, it was just her natural instinct that kicked in and I don't blame her.
She is a fighter and spunky, I like that in a horse. You know they are a thinking horse that you have to win with love and time, but when they come around (like Spirit) they are pals for life.
I was a bit worried she was mad at me tho. So I sat on the ground by the hay piles behind the barn while they all wanted to eat hay for awhile after all this. I figured they would want to head to pasture, but they just hung around...as if they knew she had to relax and come to...for awhile. Oh...and when she was so wobbly & worried after we got her outside I brought Spirit to her & that sure helped. He nuzzled her and just stood beside her calmly while she fought to stand up. He is a wonder horse. He just knows what to do. He never put his ears back to her, even when she bumped into him, he just stood like a statue by her and tolerated it all with total calm. I led him to the corral & she followed him with Earl leading. In the corral he just let her be and went to eat and that encouraged her to relax.
Anyway...after she started to recover...eating hay...I sat beside a hay pile and she came & fed right beside me and I was able to rub her rump. She was somewhat relaxed again. Her feet look pretty good...will have to get a pic tomorrow. We both needed rest after that session.
Vet "Earl" got here at about 2:30 on Friday. He is a very nice fellow, He is a gentle fellow and very patient. He also trims horses sometimes for friends.
Anyway, we discussed what to do and he gave her the dope that if we needed to put her down to sleep we could do that later. Well, sir, this is the toughest little horse to dope up that I or the vet have ever seen. It has to be because her panic mode is so close to the surface still that she fights everything coming her way.
After the first shot she did relax for awhile & I was able to do 1 front while standing. Then he had to give her another shot. Then I managed to get part of 2nd foot done & he had to give her a 3rd shot. Got the front done & tried to get a back foot & no sir...she would not stop fighting it and I decided to have him put her under. He gave her the shot & she went down in a minute or 2. I asked how long she should be under & he said for a good 20 min anyway.
Even when she went down she fought that dope ...twitching and breathing shallow and did that for a few minutes. Working quickly, I was on my 2nd hind when she finally settled down for a couple minutes. Got that one nipped & was just finishing up the filing when she violently awoke & wanted to get up. It was only after 10 minutes we figured.
Man did she fight...as she tried to get up. We had to open the door as she got herself up by the door & kinda cast. So got that opened and he got her outside. He said she should have not been able to stand at all, but that mare was standing, falling, moving and wide awake. I felt so horrible for her, we both did. We managed to keep her safe by directing her some, but she did get a nick on her back leg somehow during her struggle in the barn. It was really scary. I had to hurry to get things out of her way..the stand & stool etc....and thank god he had a hold of her, but he was tossed around alot in the process too as she would get up and fall again.
Anyway, her feet were done. She frogs were good & her bars were not bad either, I was surprised. Took lots of wall off & her feet are pretty flat, but well shaped. Took a bit more than usual off her backs because I figured it might be awhile before I can do them again. If worse comes to worse, will have to do them in spring with the vet again & this time he will do a different set of drugs to make sure she stays down. Also I would do them outside next time. The barn floor with the straw was part of the problem for her to try to get up.
He checked her front teeth after she settled down again & we got her into the corral. She has one front hook, but not bad he said. Also said her eye was fine from what he could see & couldn't figure why she was tearing more on that eye. Said she likely had a mild case of distemper or reaction from the shots that caused her fall cold, and she seemed pretty fine now. he could not preg check her. We had planned to do that while she was down after my trim...and obviously that didn't work out. She wouldn't let him at her butt. She is a smart girl and sure knew he was a different person and didn't trust him. If I knew what I was doing I am sure she would have let me...but anyway, he figures the odds are very slim she is preg. I had him take fecal from each horse except Spirit who didn't have poop around for us this aft. So will see where the worm count & type is at. ...I said I wanted types too.
So we got the deed done anyway. He said the tranq I got, Ace - is not that dependable in terms of it affecting horses differently...but may play with that a bit more this winter & see what she can tolerate. He said I could go up to 1.5 cup dosage for her size. He could really see how she is so filled with fear of things happening to her that she will fight any dope you give her. Spirit is like that too, ironically. He takes a megadose to put him under. When he hurt his eye that time we doped him 3 times and he still fought. Some are like that, their will and fear is so strong.
So what I need to continue to work on trust and relaxation this winter and desensitizing ..that is the only way to get her to be calm enough to eventually cooperate.
I took her halter off when we were done. I felt she had earned the release from that, had it on for last month, and I wanted to get it off her anyway. Earl said "oh you will have to start over" but of course I knew better. She knows I had no intention to hurt her, it was just her natural instinct that kicked in and I don't blame her.
She is a fighter and spunky, I like that in a horse. You know they are a thinking horse that you have to win with love and time, but when they come around (like Spirit) they are pals for life.
I was a bit worried she was mad at me tho. So I sat on the ground by the hay piles behind the barn while they all wanted to eat hay for awhile after all this. I figured they would want to head to pasture, but they just hung around...as if they knew she had to relax and come to...for awhile. Oh...and when she was so wobbly & worried after we got her outside I brought Spirit to her & that sure helped. He nuzzled her and just stood beside her calmly while she fought to stand up. He is a wonder horse. He just knows what to do. He never put his ears back to her, even when she bumped into him, he just stood like a statue by her and tolerated it all with total calm. I led him to the corral & she followed him with Earl leading. In the corral he just let her be and went to eat and that encouraged her to relax.
Anyway...after she started to recover...eating hay...I sat beside a hay pile and she came & fed right beside me and I was able to rub her rump. She was somewhat relaxed again. Her feet look pretty good...will have to get a pic tomorrow. We both needed rest after that session.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Hilda's visit
Hilda Harness came to pay a visit today. She came to pick up the two Horses With A Mission books she bought and to have one last visit with my horses before spring.
The horses were in the barn and glad to see her, especially because she was carrying a bag of carrots for their Halloween treat! I love this pic of her with Zoie, definately a "moment" between friends.
She had a nice visit with Serena too. She held her lead rope and petted her. She and her sister Kathy were pretty amazed at how far Serena had come since their last time here in early September.
Serena had a "first" with Hilda today as well. Serena ate from the tub on the barn floor while Hilda held the lead rope. This is the first time she has felt safe and relaxed enough while on lead to be able to put her head down to eat. Wonderful huh!
I love it when there are firsts between Serena and my horse friends. It is a special gift to them, me and Serena.
Hilda watched while I rode Fancy in the barn for a couple minutes. What a fun time and great, yet short visit! Thanks for dropping by Hilda, see you in spring!
The horses were in the barn and glad to see her, especially because she was carrying a bag of carrots for their Halloween treat! I love this pic of her with Zoie, definately a "moment" between friends. She had a nice visit with Serena too. She held her lead rope and petted her. She and her sister Kathy were pretty amazed at how far Serena had come since their last time here in early September.
Serena had a "first" with Hilda today as well. Serena ate from the tub on the barn floor while Hilda held the lead rope. This is the first time she has felt safe and relaxed enough while on lead to be able to put her head down to eat. Wonderful huh! 
I love it when there are firsts between Serena and my horse friends. It is a special gift to them, me and Serena. 
Hilda watched while I rode Fancy in the barn for a couple minutes. What a fun time and great, yet short visit! Thanks for dropping by Hilda, see you in spring! Wednesday, October 28, 2009
This last week of horsing around
This last week has been a busy one. I had my friend Jean visiting from Saskatchewan. With her help of holding the lead rope, I did my first corral ride on Fancy, my 2.5 yr old MFT mare. It went very well. By the 2nd day, I was riding without a leader & she was doing some moving out around the corral, stops & turns etc during her very short rides. I was really pleased with her. She seemed to catch on quite quickly to the basic cues. My goal is to do several of these 5-10 minute rides throughout the fall, then leave her until spring to mature more before more riding training. She will be a very agile and pretty mover. I can feel her ability to turn easily and flex her body easily already.
We had fun with Serena too. Jean spent quite a bit of time brushing her and did some leading her in and out of barn as well. Again, it's so nice to see her in someone else's hands and being relaxed and trusting as she is with me. Jean hugged her neck several times and put both arms around her neck, a first for Serena..and lovely to see. I am glad Serena isn't able to load yet...or I may have been missing a trailer & horse after Jean left! They got along so well! I had to keep myself busy with the others to keep from tears...tears of joy for them both..and for all that I have done to bring her to this point. I was so proud of her...and overjoyed for them both.
Did you read the Serena story in the Horse Country Magazine? Thanks Linda H. & crew of Horse Country!
I have a supply of the Horses With A Mission book, which has my Cherokee story in it, if you are interested. They are for sale for $15.00 & postage costs. Thanks to those who have ordered, they are "in the mail" to you. There are 21 stories, all wonderful accounts of connections with animals that definately have a unique purpose and dedication to humans.
Seasons Ranch Blue housetrailer is closed for the year & will NOT reopen next spring. We will still offer camping & the Coyote Cabin in the campground for rent, starting May long weekend next year.
Don't forget to let me know if you are interested in the James Welz clinic (if you haven't already) May 14/15 next spring.
We had fun with Serena too. Jean spent quite a bit of time brushing her and did some leading her in and out of barn as well. Again, it's so nice to see her in someone else's hands and being relaxed and trusting as she is with me. Jean hugged her neck several times and put both arms around her neck, a first for Serena..and lovely to see. I am glad Serena isn't able to load yet...or I may have been missing a trailer & horse after Jean left! They got along so well! I had to keep myself busy with the others to keep from tears...tears of joy for them both..and for all that I have done to bring her to this point. I was so proud of her...and overjoyed for them both.
Did you read the Serena story in the Horse Country Magazine? Thanks Linda H. & crew of Horse Country!
I have a supply of the Horses With A Mission book, which has my Cherokee story in it, if you are interested. They are for sale for $15.00 & postage costs. Thanks to those who have ordered, they are "in the mail" to you. There are 21 stories, all wonderful accounts of connections with animals that definately have a unique purpose and dedication to humans.
Seasons Ranch Blue housetrailer is closed for the year & will NOT reopen next spring. We will still offer camping & the Coyote Cabin in the campground for rent, starting May long weekend next year.
Don't forget to let me know if you are interested in the James Welz clinic (if you haven't already) May 14/15 next spring.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Horses Naturally E-Magazine
Hi,
I have published my first edition of the E-Magazine - HORSES NATURALLY.
I hope you enjoy the FREE magazine and share with others.
Please send your comments, news and ideas for the magazine.
We publish Oct, Dec, Feb & April. The first 2 editions are FREE. Subscriptions in 2010 are 20.00 a year or 10.00 for the 2 issues in Feb and April.
Here is the link to your FREE copy in PDF format.
http://www.barbfenwick.com/Horses%20naturally1.09.pdf
Please let me know if you wish to unsubscribe, by hitting reply & typing in NO MAG in the subject.
Thank you, Enjoy!
Barb Fenwick
I have published my first edition of the E-Magazine - HORSES NATURALLY.
I hope you enjoy the FREE magazine and share with others.
Please send your comments, news and ideas for the magazine.
We publish Oct, Dec, Feb & April. The first 2 editions are FREE. Subscriptions in 2010 are 20.00 a year or 10.00 for the 2 issues in Feb and April.
Here is the link to your FREE copy in PDF format.
http://www.barbfenwick.com/Horses%20naturally1.09.pdf
Please let me know if you wish to unsubscribe, by hitting reply & typing in NO MAG in the subject.
Thank you, Enjoy!
Barb Fenwick
Monday, October 19, 2009
Fancy's first ride
I have been preparing Fancy, my 2 & 1/2 year old Missouri Fox Trotter mare, for her first "sit on" this fall. Ground driving, yields, all sorts of ground exercises have prepared her well over the last 2 years for the eventual day of accepting a rider. Tonight, at feeding time in the barn seemed like the time was right for sitting on her. Fancy was tied in her spot along the barn wall. I grabbed a brush and starting brushing her. I took a stool & stood on it beside her and continued to brush. She is pretty tall, already close to 15 hh. Then I casually leaned my weight across her back. She kinda picked up her head and looked around at me, thats all. So, I went and grabbed my helmet, a set of rope reins. I attached the reins to her halter. She is still tied to the barn wall on a rope that's long enough for her to take a couple steps, say about 4 ft of slack rope. Up on the stool, I leaned over her back again...no action or reaction. Good. I went ahead & slipped my leg over the other side of her back. I am on. Her head goes up, she stands stock still..and is thinking. She goes to take a step or 2, feels kinda wierd for her...balancing that weight. She comes to end of rope and barn wall. No big deal. Her head goes down, more relaxed. All the time I am rubbing and talking to her and brushing her with the brush. Legs relaxed, body relaxed and singing my fav riding song. Old Paint. Everything is cool, she puts her head down to eat some hay. I rub my legs along her side, back and forth. She sniffs my boots as I extend my foot on either side for her nose to meet. Fancy wants to bite my right boot. I gently push her nose away with the boot. I won't make the same mistake with that which I did with a green horse a few years back. That time, when the horse went to bite, it bumped its nose pretty hard with my boot...rodeo time. I stayed on though, but I had started a fight and it was NOT a good time to do that. Well it's never a good time to start an argument with a horse, but especially your first ride. Ahhh...memories.
YEHAW....ain't nothing better than that first sit on...communicating and connecting like that for the first time is like Nirvana...really.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Quick Serena update
This week brought a couple of exciting breakthroughs. I was able to catch Serena in the corral just outside the barn for the FIRST time & actually could walk away & up again & rub & scratch her, including her head. I also was able to cuddle up to her neck and head with my head in the barn. I had some very special moments that day where I could hang out with my arm over her back, my body right up against her side and just breath and be with her. It was awesome. Lots more work on her head & finger into the side of her mouth as well on each side, tho that is still a work in progess, she still thinks about biting, but is slowly getting more desensitized. I can draw her head towards me from pressure on opposite side of head (cheek area) from under the neck. A pretty good week overall.
Also got Spirit's feet down, using my mini grinder in the barn with her there too, and she was fine & relaxed with the sound.
I have an appt with the vet coming on Nov 13th to give her a strong sedative so I can get her feet done. The sedative I was using just isn't working out to be enough to relax her for trimming at this point. So, we are slowing just working on picking up feet and hopefully the next round of trimming I can think about using it after lots more work with her in the meantime.
Also got Spirit's feet down, using my mini grinder in the barn with her there too, and she was fine & relaxed with the sound.
I have an appt with the vet coming on Nov 13th to give her a strong sedative so I can get her feet done. The sedative I was using just isn't working out to be enough to relax her for trimming at this point. So, we are slowing just working on picking up feet and hopefully the next round of trimming I can think about using it after lots more work with her in the meantime.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Riding in Saskatchewan
Well, time to write about something else besides Serena! Spirit and I went out to Saskatchewan Sept 12th weekend for some R & R - riding & relaxing. The gals out there are always fun to be with when I get a chance to get out there. Spirit and I had such a great time, it was a nice change of scenery and pace. In the above picture I got to practice some ponying of a friends horse part way down a trail. Spirit has had a great summer, been sound all summer and enjoying many rides out. The natural trim, good health management and the boots are all components of his remaining sound and healthy.
The Serena book is starting to take shape. I am putting all my notes together from the day I got her, and posted here. From this point on I will be just journaling my notes about her to add to the book and not post them on the blog. I hope to have the book completed within two years, depending on how the situation goes with her. She continues to teach me something every day and is doing very well. I will keep you posted on the progress of the book and possibly post breif updates.
In the meantime, I begin work also on Fancy, to prepare her for her new adventures with her prospective new owner next spring. She will soon have her first "backing".
Plans are coming along for the James Welz Hoof Health clinic May 15/16, 2010. I have 16 people tentatively signed up for a spot in the clinic already. It will be a fabulous clinic with MUCH new information and practice time on cadaver feet.
Lets hope we have a mild winter to continue riding and playing with our horses. Barb
The Serena book is starting to take shape. I am putting all my notes together from the day I got her, and posted here. From this point on I will be just journaling my notes about her to add to the book and not post them on the blog. I hope to have the book completed within two years, depending on how the situation goes with her. She continues to teach me something every day and is doing very well. I will keep you posted on the progress of the book and possibly post breif updates.
In the meantime, I begin work also on Fancy, to prepare her for her new adventures with her prospective new owner next spring. She will soon have her first "backing".
Plans are coming along for the James Welz Hoof Health clinic May 15/16, 2010. I have 16 people tentatively signed up for a spot in the clinic already. It will be a fabulous clinic with MUCH new information and practice time on cadaver feet.
Lets hope we have a mild winter to continue riding and playing with our horses. Barb
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
A feel for a feel with Serena
Sept 30
With working full time now, I find I have less time to be on the computer. You notice I didn’t say less time with my horsesJ I am getting out after work & playing with the horses most every night. I won’t be blogging about Serena as often so I can actually BE with her during my now precious time at home.
She had a little setback certainly after the day of haltering. She has not wanted to come into the barn for a few days. I understood that and gave her space and time. Tonight she came in again. Last night i couldn’t get her to come very close to the barn to get her in the corral area I have at the entrance to the barn. So I decided to just sit with her where she was comfortable, on the path to the pasture. The other horses are in the barn, tied in their stall areas and eating. I sat for quite awhile, then decided to lie down. In about 1 minute Serena came over about 1 ft away & put her head down and kept it there for quite some time. She sniffed at me, but did not get any closer to actually sniff me. Then she turned to face away from, cocked a foot and just stayed there. She could have left, gone to the horses or just wandered off. She did not. She wanted to stay with me. I finally got up and walked toward barn and brought her feed out closer to her so she could eat in comfort outside. I was very impressed with this litte offering of support and trust on her part. She was protecting and feeling comfortable with a herd member.
Tonight I just brushed her in the barn, rubbed her legs, trying to desensitizing them more. I had her short 3 ft lead on her and led her around the barn for a bit as well. I rubbed her head and am able to rub her face from the front of her while she is on the lead rope. Her off limit place she still has a lot of trouble with is her chin. I started to rub and scratch it a tiny bit and she wanted to bite my hand. I would retreat a bit but not take my hand off her jaw, then advance again and after a few tries I could gentle rub almost to her mouth. It’s difficult for her, its a gut reaction to bite if anyone comes near her mouth, not her fault. Not to be punished, only to be understood and then to offer soft, consistant contact in a way that is not over invasive, nor tentative...a feel for a feel.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Serena now wears a halter
Sept 25/2009
Well, I did it. Serena is now wearing a nice leather halter, one that my
friend Jean gave me. I chose a leather halter rather than a web one
because leather will break if she gets herself in trouble with it out in
pasture. It fits perfectly. She also had her 4 way vaccination. I would
like to say it was an easy progression, but it was a bit of a battle.
I have been looking into using a mild sedative to help Serena relax
enough for me to put a halter on her safely and with as little trauma as
possible. I feel I have made enough progress in our relationship that we
can get to this point. I wanted to get her vacs done before the cold
weather sets in. I also wanted to gain control of her head so I can
start to work towards trimming her feet. It was time to move forward
with that plan. I bought some Atrovet from my veterinarian . It's a
granular sedative you can add to their food. I had never used it before,
so I decided to give her a bit less than the recommended dosage to make
sure she would be alright. I just wanted to relax her some, I didn't
want her "doped out" because then she wouldn't remember the session and
I want it to be a learning session, not a " do stuff to you" session. It
takes about a half hour to take effect the vet told met.
So, there we are, in the barn, she gobbles up her feed with the medicine
mixed with a little molasses to make it more palatable. It either took a
little longer to take effect, or I was just not waiting long enough
because when I started to work with her, she was still very nervous
about me trying to put a halter on her. Particularily because she still
cannot be touched on the front of her face, from between her eyes to her
muzzle. So anything touching there still elicits a strong instinctive
reaction. She would just race off, around the barn and I would have to
try to calm her and start again. I used a 15 ft marine rope with a loop
around her neck, but not tight to control her circling somewhat. This
was a new routine for her too and at first she raced around trying to
get away from the long "snake". Poor thing…I just felt aweful watching
her go through this fearful time. I wasn't doing anything to hurt her of
course, but ropes still push her panic button. Finally the drug started
to work a bit more, and/or she was getting tired or finally getting what
I was trying to do. After being able to rub the front of her face, down
almost to the muzzle, desensitizing that area somewhat, I was able to
quickly slip the nosepiece of the halter on. She lunged away, rearing,
but I was able to hold her and when she came down, she just stood. It
was as tho she knew she was caught and didn't fight it anymore. I spent
a lot of time then, just rubbing, scratching and relaxing her. We were
both sweating from the intense session. I think it was the most
challenging time I have had with a horse, because I know her reactions
are fear based, and I hated to cause her more distress. But, again, this
had to get done and what she did learn was that no matter what I do, I
won't hurt her. Her fear is not from what I do, it is from what she
thinks about what I do and her past experiences of being caught and
handled. I can only get her past these things by persistence in the
right way, with love and calmness. Whatever she offered, I didn't get
mad, or react, I understood and just accepted her behaviour and worked
to make my communication clearer or more gentle. She offered some real
objections. She reared, struck out and tried to bite. She bit Mr Blue
Fuzzy several times as I tried to use it to desensitize her head more.
That didn't work, she was fed up with it and I got further just with my
hand.
Once the halter was on, I attached a 3 ft rope(that didn't drag on the
ground as long as her head is up. I added another rope on for a period
to give me more leverage to start teaching her to lead – come off the
feel of the halter. It took a bit, but she actually caught on well and I
was able to lead her around the barn a couple time by the end of the
session. Before the sedative wore off I gave her vaccination, she didn't
flinch. I also worked to pick up her feet, still a very big struggle,
but managed to hold all 4 feet for a few seconds. That was enough, we
were both tired.
After I let her loose and opened the barn door, she went out to her hay
pile just outside the door. I wondered if I could still walk up to her,
expected she would not want any part of me for awhile. I was wrong. I
was able to go up and rub her rump to neck and I walked away feeling
much better about the whole ordeal.
This morning, I was easily able to walk up & hold the halter & put the
lead rope on. I led her around the barn a bit, she was even better at
it, following up with a much lighter feel. I was also able to rub her
face everywhere except her mouth and nostril area, which we are still
working on. That will take a bit more time, she is so very sensitive
there, but it will come. Tonight I walked out to pasture & sat with the
horses for awhile. I was able to rub her from rump to neck and walked
away smiling.
I am going to work on picking up her feet daily, progress slowly and
hopefully in days or a couple weeks we can give her the full measure of
sedative and I can get some trimming done.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
another inch stone
Tonight it took less time to get the green rope across Serena's withers
in the barn. She stood by Spirit & Foxie after about 4 rounds in the
barn & stood while I put it on. I put bug spray on her again with the
sponge from tail head to cheek & was able to have her stand still MOST
of the time. Later outside she was out there eating by herself from her
pile of hay & I was rubbing her rump & scratching her. She started to
leave and was heading out towards the pasture. I didn't follow but
turned and walked back to the barn and she turned around and FOLLOWED ME
RIGHT BACK TO THE BARN DOOR, where she stood still and ate and I was
able to rub her from rump to neck for the first time outside of the
barn. She was very relaxed and it was telling me she is really "getting
it" about being scratched & rubbed and truly enjoying it. Another
milestone...or inch stone.
in the barn. She stood by Spirit & Foxie after about 4 rounds in the
barn & stood while I put it on. I put bug spray on her again with the
sponge from tail head to cheek & was able to have her stand still MOST
of the time. Later outside she was out there eating by herself from her
pile of hay & I was rubbing her rump & scratching her. She started to
leave and was heading out towards the pasture. I didn't follow but
turned and walked back to the barn and she turned around and FOLLOWED ME
RIGHT BACK TO THE BARN DOOR, where she stood still and ate and I was
able to rub her from rump to neck for the first time outside of the
barn. She was very relaxed and it was telling me she is really "getting
it" about being scratched & rubbed and truly enjoying it. Another
milestone...or inch stone.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Fancy for sale
She is a mare with great potential for distance riding, show, games, cow work. She is extremely athletic, naturally gaited, does a lovely fox trot in pasture & lovely canter & can gallop like the wind. I have seen her do spins and slide stops on her own in pasture like she was trained to do it. She is coming 15 hh, will likely mature to around 15.1 or 15.2.
I have spent a lot of time with her, using natural ground training methods. She is a gorgeous tobiano buckskin, a sweetheart of a horse. Fancy was trained and handled daily from birth, she is trusting, willing and eager. She has been saddled with english & western & Bareback pad and accepts new things very easily. She is brave, very friendly, curious & comes in from pasture with a whistle. Fancy is UTD on her vacs, deworming program and has had natural hoof trimming since 4 mo old at every 3 - 4 weeks. She stands tied, will pony, not afraid of vehicles, quads, tarps, water crossings..you name it. She is basically ready to start lightly this fall or in the spring under saddle. She was ranch raised on 60 acres of pasture, with plenty of shelter & open barn. She was only put in barn on the coldest winter nights, so never babied that way. She is very conditioned, is super healthy in all aspects, and correct conformation for the breed standard.
Missouri Fox Trotters make great cattle & endurance horses. The fox trot is the most effecient gait for any distance or work riding. It is also a very smooth gait, easy on the back & legs, you just sit there, ride and smile! Fancy just needs the right owner to take her to her potential from here. She must go to a great home that will appreciate and use her as more than a "trail horse". As I only ride trail, she would not reach her potential if I kept her. Also, she will be taller than I like for a riding horse. When I bred her dam, (who is 14.2) I bred to a 14.3 hh cremello stallion and expected a shorter horse - surprise!
Follow this link to her picture file. http://picasaweb.google.ca/Barbandspirit/Fancy#
She is priced at $3000.00 obo until spring, when her price will go up with professional training under saddle. Contact Barb Fenwick, 204-466-2776, bfenwick@xplornet.com
The iceberg
Sept 22
Last night I played with Serena a bit in the evening after supper. I
want her to be less nervous about having the play rope placed on her
neck. I have to follow her around the barn at this point to get it on
her. So I worked on just having it in my hand & rubbing her or being
around her. Thats still a big issue, she sees a rope & she moves away.
So I followed her with my hand on her back or rump with the rope in my
hand & did not put it on. Progression again...allowing her to be
comfortable SEEING the rope in less intimidating areas & ways.
Familiarity with it is what she needs, learning it is not a bad thing.
Once it is on her neck she will stand still until I do something that
makes her move her feet...like trying to brush her mane up by her ears.
She still has issues with that and will move away. I hang onto the rope
& follow her as she does circles in the barn. It was time to change
something in that process. Just sticking with her is not getting her to
understand that moving her feet is not needed and is more work. I
understand WHY she is moving her feet, she needs to. It's a way of
releasing her worry...moving on. She will do about 2 turns or so and
then stops and stands and will allow more interaction until I reach a
place where she is nervous again. So, I decided on a new tactic in this
scenario. I decided to continue to move with her, allowing the rope to
be loose, not trying to pull her to slow or stop at any point, just
being with her until she stops. But now, when she stops I actually push
on her neck to get her to continue to move. So, its MY CHOICE when she
stops her feet. I am moving HER. I did this for quite a few rounds and I
was finding her stopping sooner and staying a bit longer. As soon as she
decided to move I would initiate pushing her into the move as if it was
MY idea.
After that I worked on head rubbing for awhile. I was able to rub her
cheek easily, throat latch, chest without her worrying as much. I also
was able to scratch her forehead some, while my hand approached from
back of and between her ears. I could do a bit more rubbing in front of
her ears, between eye and ear. I was able to touch both ears for a
couple seconds as well. That's a new thing and where I quit.
Slowly her front end is melting into my hands. You can almost see it as
if it's an iceberg thawing out...from back to front. The tip of the
iceberg is the muzzle, when I get that thawed out I will have warmed the
whole horse..can't wait for that.
comment re Fuzzy Stick
LOL, that is hilarious, and yet so amazingly affective. With such a playful bratty attitude you are getting the exact results you want while playing and having fun, while a more serious attitude would be turning this into "work" which would be tiresome and frustrating, Way to go! and Thanks so much for sharing. Now I will go and play with River like that too. I am sure I can make a "my fuzzy" stick (initials "mf" of course) Ha. And this opens up new ideas for other tools for desensitizing.
till next time,
Mariette
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Mr Blue Fuzzy stick & Serena
Well, finally have had some time to do more progressive work with Serena. I did that with the aid of a tool given to me by my friend Jean. This aid I call Mr Blue Fuzzy. Its about a 3 ft piece of broomstick with a padded triangle piece on the end which is about 4"x4"x4" wide & 2 " thick. It is just the right lenght to scratch and rub at about an arms lenght away from the horse. I tried it out for the first time 2 days ago. It really helped me get more "face" time with Serena.
So there we were, in the barn, with tape gate across doorway & the other horses tied at their stall areas. I took my 6 ft green 1/4 rope & draped over Serena neck about 1/2 between wither & poll. Now Serena is starting to yield a bit to me holding both ends of the rope & directing her front end, while pushing her hind end away. This helps her learn to disengage that back end and more importantly to start getting used to having her front end closer to me & seeing me more often with 2 eyes. This is a still a problem for her, being right in front of her...as we know they have a blind spot right in front of their face because of their bi-lateral vision. I try to keep at least 2 ft away from her body when moving in front of her, or further, so she can see me as I "appear" suddenly in a new range of sight, while walking from her side to the front & opposite side of her. She really does not trust anyone yet in her "head space".
She takes pleasure now with me rubbing from tail to just behind shoulder, but you get ahead of that invisible line and she still tenses up and worries. Yes it has gotten better, but by no means is she relaxed when you are at her front end. She still thinks about biting, putting ears back when you rub her upper neck, chest or top of mane.
So knowing all this and accepting that its still a big issue for her, I know I have to go slow...but keep progressing to show her I will not hurt her in that area. Thats where Mr. Blue Fuzzy comes in.
I started to rub her upper neck, throat latch area & cheek with it. She offered to bite MR BF - funny....those are my initial...I just realized that! LOL Anyway...Mr BF didn't care and she realized she wasn't getting the reaction of it moving away as she had hoped...that MR. BF was pretty stupid..no horse sense...it didn't attack back, nor did it go away. Sort of like a pesky foal. She would have to train it...and it was a slow learner. It stuck to her cheek at times, then would slide down her cheek toward her muzzle and just sit there. Serena was annoyed with Mr. BF, but like a dam...tolerated it without being fearful. Now Mr. BF had the nerve to trespass between her eye & ear...WOW...did she react then...shoo...you annoying thing she said as she swung her head around to chase it away. Stupid Mr. BF just went & cuddled up to her neck instead and stuck there like velcro. Then Mr. BF decided to play a game...called...how many times can I make you turn your head away. What fun!! IT (he actually, but I think Mr. BF is neutral..or neutered) would touch her cheek and Serena would turn her head away, so IT went away. Head comes back, IT touches again..head turns away, it goes away...this goes on for about 8 or 10 times..now Mr. BF was trying to see if IT could make Serena keep turning her head. Pretty powerful little stick...and getting smarter all the time! Oh...she spoiled ITS fun..she stopped turning her head when IT touched. May as well quit..no fun anymore:(
Mr. BF went to both sides & got some reaction from opposite side, but not as much, so wasn't as much fun. Going to area between eye & ear was equally as boring...so IT quit again. Then I put Mr. BF down & used my hand to go over the same areas..slowly and with the same "stick" to her attitude...and no new reactions and more acceptance.
I wonder where that silly Mr. BF will go next....I bet next time IT will try to sweep over an eye or right down the muzzle over the lips...THAT ought to be fun!!
Thanks for the great toy Jean...only thing that could be more fun is if it played a tune when she touched it! HA Maybe you should patent this little bratty stick! Yup before you know it he will be sliding & bumping all over that face...with a little fly spray on him to do a job while there:)
Happy playing everyone...remind your horse you are not totally sane or focused...get unserious and its amazing what you can get done! Feel, timing...and fun.
So there we were, in the barn, with tape gate across doorway & the other horses tied at their stall areas. I took my 6 ft green 1/4 rope & draped over Serena neck about 1/2 between wither & poll. Now Serena is starting to yield a bit to me holding both ends of the rope & directing her front end, while pushing her hind end away. This helps her learn to disengage that back end and more importantly to start getting used to having her front end closer to me & seeing me more often with 2 eyes. This is a still a problem for her, being right in front of her...as we know they have a blind spot right in front of their face because of their bi-lateral vision. I try to keep at least 2 ft away from her body when moving in front of her, or further, so she can see me as I "appear" suddenly in a new range of sight, while walking from her side to the front & opposite side of her. She really does not trust anyone yet in her "head space".
She takes pleasure now with me rubbing from tail to just behind shoulder, but you get ahead of that invisible line and she still tenses up and worries. Yes it has gotten better, but by no means is she relaxed when you are at her front end. She still thinks about biting, putting ears back when you rub her upper neck, chest or top of mane.
So knowing all this and accepting that its still a big issue for her, I know I have to go slow...but keep progressing to show her I will not hurt her in that area. Thats where Mr. Blue Fuzzy comes in.
I started to rub her upper neck, throat latch area & cheek with it. She offered to bite MR BF - funny....those are my initial...I just realized that! LOL Anyway...Mr BF didn't care and she realized she wasn't getting the reaction of it moving away as she had hoped...that MR. BF was pretty stupid..no horse sense...it didn't attack back, nor did it go away. Sort of like a pesky foal. She would have to train it...and it was a slow learner. It stuck to her cheek at times, then would slide down her cheek toward her muzzle and just sit there. Serena was annoyed with Mr. BF, but like a dam...tolerated it without being fearful. Now Mr. BF had the nerve to trespass between her eye & ear...WOW...did she react then...shoo...you annoying thing she said as she swung her head around to chase it away. Stupid Mr. BF just went & cuddled up to her neck instead and stuck there like velcro. Then Mr. BF decided to play a game...called...how many times can I make you turn your head away. What fun!! IT (he actually, but I think Mr. BF is neutral..or neutered) would touch her cheek and Serena would turn her head away, so IT went away. Head comes back, IT touches again..head turns away, it goes away...this goes on for about 8 or 10 times..now Mr. BF was trying to see if IT could make Serena keep turning her head. Pretty powerful little stick...and getting smarter all the time! Oh...she spoiled ITS fun..she stopped turning her head when IT touched. May as well quit..no fun anymore:(
Mr. BF went to both sides & got some reaction from opposite side, but not as much, so wasn't as much fun. Going to area between eye & ear was equally as boring...so IT quit again. Then I put Mr. BF down & used my hand to go over the same areas..slowly and with the same "stick" to her attitude...and no new reactions and more acceptance.
I wonder where that silly Mr. BF will go next....I bet next time IT will try to sweep over an eye or right down the muzzle over the lips...THAT ought to be fun!!
Thanks for the great toy Jean...only thing that could be more fun is if it played a tune when she touched it! HA Maybe you should patent this little bratty stick! Yup before you know it he will be sliding & bumping all over that face...with a little fly spray on him to do a job while there:)
Happy playing everyone...remind your horse you are not totally sane or focused...get unserious and its amazing what you can get done! Feel, timing...and fun.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Serena in the limelight
At the Wild West Weekend I had the gals come into the barn to visit with Serena & to show them her trick. She will lift either back leg when you rub between her legs..her favorite scratching place. She even stood while they lightly applauded her. We are a silly looking bunch in this picture in our "costumes". I am dressed as a fairy. What fun we had! I can only wildly imagine what our trick for next year will be! If you are a reader of Horse Country, be sure to get the October issue. The story of Serena & a few of the other Pasos will be in it. After being in loving homes for the last 5 months, there are 5 that I write about that show how trust, love, time and attention is the only recipe for recovery for these wonderful horses.
Also want to mention that Cherokee's story is again in print!! The book " Horses With A Mission" was just released & his story is the last story in the book! It's a version that puts a little more detail and explanation into the story. I am pleased with it. It was written by Christine Anderson in MN, who have written several books about our close connections with our animals. Check the book out here:
http://www.horseswithamission.com/
Every horse in our midst I beleive has a mission...they come into our lives and leave footprints, heart prints and teach us great values and lessons. Barb
Also want to mention that Cherokee's story is again in print!! The book " Horses With A Mission" was just released & his story is the last story in the book! It's a version that puts a little more detail and explanation into the story. I am pleased with it. It was written by Christine Anderson in MN, who have written several books about our close connections with our animals. Check the book out here:
http://www.horseswithamission.com/
Every horse in our midst I beleive has a mission...they come into our lives and leave footprints, heart prints and teach us great values and lessons. Barb
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