July 23, 2011

Trotting with Gabrielle


Faith has been so awesome but she is human (I mean horse) after all, and all humans (horses) have challenges.  Gabrielle's challenge has been to convince Faith to trot with her in a non-punitive way.  For the Teen Mustang Challenge they will compete in a showmanship class that will most certainly ask them to trot together so they must both learn to think as one.  When Gabrielle jogs off, Faith must trot off with her. 

This week with the help of Mike Fetter they have been gaining confidence and timing in trotting together. 

First jogging one direction.

Then the other direction.

Then past her sister and best friend sitting on the fence railing just to add some new elements.

Gabrielle has also spent some time sitting on the fence petting Faith and asking her to pass by her and turn around and come back.  This will help her future owner if they ever need to mount her from a fence. 

Earlier in the week Gabrielle's dad spent some time walking Faith threw some trot poles while Gabrielle was at her Pony Club meeting with another horse.  

Faith is very aware of her feet and navigated the poles like a pro.

Faith continues to show us that pretty is as pretty does and she is GORGEOUS.

Gabrielle got the clippers out and trimmed up her facial whiskers.  (Now normally we would leave them long since horses use their whiskers to tell where their food is.  However we are trying to get her as ready for new owners as possible and she will need to be clean shaven for her competition at the end of next month.  So it is best to get her used to it all now.)

She also has no problems or cause for concern when the vibrating clippers are rubbed on her body.

She stands quite still for her bridle path to be trimmed up.

Ears are very sensitive and usually don't require any trimming in every day life.  The hair actually helps keep out bugs and water.  However we want her to look pretty for the show and be used to anything her new owners may expect of her.  So Gabrielle gently uses scissors to trim the hair that is on the outside of her ears when they are folded in half.  Obviously Faith trusts Gabrielle even in such sensitive areas. 

Faith also really enjoys bath time.  She likes to look her best all the time.  After all she has 7 boys around our place all working hard for her attention.

With the hose turned to mist, Faith allows Gabrielle to spray her face and clean it.  I am not sure she really likes that part, but Gabrielle didn't like washing her face when she was a year old either. 

Once she is dry and before putting her away for the day, Gabrielle makes sure to fly spray her to help keep her comfortable.  I suppose flies serve a purpose but in a horse owners life, it is hard to find one good enough.

Tomorrow Gabrielle will go through many of these same exercises.  She and Faith are expecting a news crew out on Monday to do a story on them, the Teen Mustang Challenge and Mustang Adoption.  I will let you know more details when we know them.