June 20, 2011

Leaps and Bounds

Today was a day of astonishments.  Gabrielle surprised herself and was delighted with Faith. 

Gabrielle saddled Faith for the first time today and Faith took it as if she had been saddled her whole life. 

She stood nice and quiet even while being cinched up.

Then she followed Gabrielle willingly.

Next, Gabrielle asked Faith to move at the walk . . . .

. . . . trot . . . .

. . . . and canter.

Faith did not object and stayed calm even when the stirrups flapped. 

At last year's competition, many if not most trainers laid their horses down.  We have never done that with any of our horses, but Gabrielle decided to try it with Faith.

Using her dad's rope and holding one of Faith's feet up; Gabrielle began seeing if Faith would lay down. 

To stay safe, she pulled the rope up and around the horn. 

Quickly Faith figured out how to bow and did not struggle or fight.  She gave everything a lot of thought but kept trying to figure out what Gabrielle was asking her to do. 

The last step of laying her hip down was the hardest for Faith.

On the second try, she figured it out. 

Please understand that never did Gabrielle pull Faith over or force her down.  She did hold the foot up and stayed close by the whole time.  Faith did not struggle or fight; she never showed any signs of stress.  Any of that would have been counterproductive and would have been a set back, and Gabrielle worked very hard to give Faith confidence and leadership throughout.

Both relaxed into each other and seemed at ease.  What a pair!!!

After she laid down, Gabrielle took the rope off and the saddle and pad.

Never one to miss an opportunity, Gabrielle decided to swing the rope around.  Faith was aware but still unalarmed. 

Today was a day filled with milestones and accomplishments.  Gabrielle has heard of this technique to lay a horse down, and has seen many people do it.  However she has never tried it before today.  She stayed calm and confident.  Last year's experience was fantastic and this year is only building on that for Gabrielle as a trainer.  She is very patient and in-tuned with any horse that she works with. 

As for Faith she continues to show us that horses like children are all different.  Her training milestones are so different from Jet's and yet she proves daily that she will be an amazing horse just like Jet is turning out to be.  I can't wait to see her in her future home.