Hello all,
I don't post here much anymore, I just wanted to tell other mini people about what happened tonight.
Anyway, I rescued two mares, Polly a ten-year-old mare, and her daughter, Belle, a four-year-old about four months ago. I now have a small herd of six, and let me tell you, there is never a dull moment.
Polly and Belle came to me from a man who could no longer care for them. Polly has had a lot of human interaction, as she can be ridden so she was used for his grandchildren until they outgrew her. Belle has had next to no human interaction.
Both mares were in slight need of a diet, and Polly has foundered extremely badly in the past. I have my suspicions that Belle has too, but the previous owner never said anything.
We got them home, and for about three months they shared a fenceline with my four other horses. The mares' diet was watched, they came down to a healthy weight. Feet were trimmed. The hooves need tons more work though. Now, all six share a large pasture, that is covered in snow right now.
I began to work on trust with them. Polly trusted me easily, she is very sweet-tempered and easy mannered.
Belle on the other hand...
I have caught her a handful of times so we could trim her feet, but that was by sheer luck. She wouldn't let me touch her without flinching. I have worked with her for months, just being outside, giving her scratches behind the ear where she likes them, and talking to her. My movements are always slow, and I found out that if I sing to her, she will calm down.
Tonight something happened. I was petting Blue, and she came up to me and "asked" for a kiss. I was amazed. She has never let me kiss her nose before. She wanted to be touched! I was crouched down, and she rested her head on my shoulder. I just petted her, and sang quietly. Soon, I had all six horses around me, all wanting some love. Generally they get jealous, but tonight, they just let Belle rest there and no other horses interfered.
I am still amazed. I love those horses so much.
Here is a picture of Polly and Belle a few weeks after I brought them home.
Anyone have any idea what color Belle is? Polly is a grulla, has the dorsal stripe and all...Belle has a dorsal stripe as well..
I don't post here much anymore, I just wanted to tell other mini people about what happened tonight.
Anyway, I rescued two mares, Polly a ten-year-old mare, and her daughter, Belle, a four-year-old about four months ago. I now have a small herd of six, and let me tell you, there is never a dull moment.
Polly and Belle came to me from a man who could no longer care for them. Polly has had a lot of human interaction, as she can be ridden so she was used for his grandchildren until they outgrew her. Belle has had next to no human interaction.
Both mares were in slight need of a diet, and Polly has foundered extremely badly in the past. I have my suspicions that Belle has too, but the previous owner never said anything.
We got them home, and for about three months they shared a fenceline with my four other horses. The mares' diet was watched, they came down to a healthy weight. Feet were trimmed. The hooves need tons more work though. Now, all six share a large pasture, that is covered in snow right now.
I began to work on trust with them. Polly trusted me easily, she is very sweet-tempered and easy mannered.
Belle on the other hand...
I have caught her a handful of times so we could trim her feet, but that was by sheer luck. She wouldn't let me touch her without flinching. I have worked with her for months, just being outside, giving her scratches behind the ear where she likes them, and talking to her. My movements are always slow, and I found out that if I sing to her, she will calm down.
Tonight something happened. I was petting Blue, and she came up to me and "asked" for a kiss. I was amazed. She has never let me kiss her nose before. She wanted to be touched! I was crouched down, and she rested her head on my shoulder. I just petted her, and sang quietly. Soon, I had all six horses around me, all wanting some love. Generally they get jealous, but tonight, they just let Belle rest there and no other horses interfered.
I am still amazed. I love those horses so much.
Here is a picture of Polly and Belle a few weeks after I brought them home.
Anyone have any idea what color Belle is? Polly is a grulla, has the dorsal stripe and all...Belle has a dorsal stripe as well..
