G has been working this week with a local instructor as her assistant during her horse camp each morning. Many of the girls saw the newspaper article on G and Jet and wanted to see him and watch her with him. So this afternoon, they came out for a visit.
Before seeing Jet, they spent some time talking about what G has been doing, why the youth trainer program exists and what life has been like for Jet since he was born until now. The students also had a chance to measure themselves in "hands" (the measurement used to measure a horse. Each hand is 4 inches) using an educational display G had created for the local fair a few years ago. They all enjoyed seeing how tall they were.
During the discussion time the students were quite interested in getting to see Jet's mustang tag.
In the round pen G showed them how she has worked on picking up his feet, leading him, and playing soccer with a large exercise ball. She also decided to try a few things for the first time in front of guests. Normally I would only do things I know I can do and the horse is ok doing, but not G. She is very confident in Jet and herself. She "accidentally" (aka on purpose) knocked over a plastic barrel and plastic basketball goal. Jet paid attention that it fell but didn't move. She also put a tarp over his back and asked him to walk around with it. No Problem!!!!
Then she allowed the students to come into the round pen in pairs and pet Jet and see his freeze brand up close.
Before everyone went home each girl had a chance to brush Jet. He was such a good boy and had no trouble with all the attention he received.
About an hour later we had Columbia Rural Electric Association come to visit. They had heard about G and her work with Jet and wanted to interview her for their monthly magazine they send to their customers. Gabrielle repeated many of the things she had done with the previous group but added even more new things.
She solid tied him for the first time and left him standing while we went to greet our guests. Imagine their surprise when they learned that was the first time he had been left solid tied. She brought out the hose and hosed his front legs and his chest. He did react to that but within minutes he was standing and enjoying the cool refreshing water since it was our hottest day yet this summer.
Before taking Jet back to the round pen, G noticed flies bothering him so she fly sprayed him for the first time. I was expecting some reaction as the spray touched him or at the very least the noise of the trigger spraying. Not a thing. He stood still and had no problems. (It has been unseasonably cool here so we have not had much of an issue with flies. It could also be the fly predators we are using for the first time.)
G set up some obstacles in the round pen and moved him over logs, tarps and large plastic container lids. He walked, trotted and loped through it all without refusing. He did however clip a few of the obstacles since he is still learning foot placement.
CREA spent some time asking G questions about her work. Since one requirement for the challenge is to use natural horsemanship techniques, they asked about her favorite trainer whether it was Parelli, Anderson, ??? After some thinking, she said she really likes Buck Brannaman. She participated last year in one of his clinics not far from here and she did so well. Then she was asked what has been the most challenging thing and what was the biggest turning point so far. For G that question was easy. Everything seemed to change the day she was able to get the mustang tag off and brush him. That was when they both seemed to find the trust in the other that they needed to progress. Ever since they have been bonded. I do believe I will be outnumbered in the decision whether or not to allow him to be adopted or if we will be keeping him.
Before leaving Charlotte and Nickie Gunther from CREA presented G with a gift certificate to a local feed store to help G with her competition. G will be able to purchase feed, supplements and other needed items to help improve Jet's diet and body conditioning. This is one area that will be judged on August 28th in Yamhill, OR.
It had already been a long day and it was not over yet. G went and participated for the third evening in a row at the local fair grounds where the 4-H sponsored a special event for Disabled children in town. The first two nights she lead horses while some children got to experience horse back riding for the first time. Tonight she helped drive a pair of miniature horses that her good friend B had brought. It was a wonderful evening filled with smiles and laughter. I LOVE summer!!!!
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