Thursday, July 28, 2011

July 28, 2011

Collin Sullivan and KVEW news





Collin Sullivan setting up for the interview with Gabrielle and Faith.




Gabrielle happily showing Collin Faith and how she likes to play in her water. 



Gabrielle put Faith through all of her paces with obstacles.



Collin came out today from KVEW news today and interviewed Gabrielle, Mike Fetter and myself.  Gabrielle and Faith did a great job. Faith was so relaxed during the interview that she laid down.  This surprised all of us because she was not asked to lay down.  I don't want to think that we were that boring to her. 

The most moving moment I think is when Gabrielle spoke to Faith about leaving and being a good girl in her new home.  I sure wish we had already been able to find the family that is going to adopt her.  It would make going into the competition easier if we had an idea of where she will be going afterward.  Well, like her name we will have faith that her forever home is out there and will find her. 

Please watch KVEW tonight at 5 or 6:30 to see their interview.  I will post a link to the interview when and if I am able.

Here is the link.  http://www.kvewtv.com/article/2011/jul/28/touchet-teenager-training-horse-adoption/

Sunday, July 24, 2011

July 24, 2011

Getting pretty for her news debut


Gabrielle spent many hours today bathing and clipping and trimming and cleaning.  When she was finished, Gabrielle wanted to make sure Faith wouldn't get dirty before tomorrow.  Hopefully Faith will cooperate and stay clean for a day. 



We have grown, domesticated and veteran 4-H show horses that don't like wearing the polo wraps to stay clean.  Faith didn't even walk with high steps when these were put on.  She is an awesome horse.  I hope she wins over lots of people tomorrow that will consider adopting her at the end of next month. 


Saturday, July 23, 2011

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. 

Friday, July 15, 2011

July 15, 2011

Faith Travels to Jubilee



Gabrielle took Faith out to Jubilee where we have been working with 12 young men that are handlers for children from the Walla Walla area.  Some of the guys had never worked with nor ridden a horse before we began the program a little over a month ago.  Now they lead and teach area children how to move around, groom and ride horses.  They are doing an awesome job. 

Today Gabrielle brought Faith to show the guys her progress and what is possible when a horse learns to trust their handler. 

In these pictures Gabrielle works with one of the guys as he works with Faith.  They began with the noodles and showing them to Faith and then rubbing them all over her body. 




He calmly and confidently places a tarp on Faith and then leads her around.  She did a great job.  The wind was blowing and actually blew the tarp off a few seconds after this picture was taken.  She simply turned and watched as the tarp fell to the ground.  The young man was amazed at how calm she stayed. 




During her demonstration Gabrielle bounced the ball all around Faith with huge success.  So, this time around the young man bounced the ball so that it landed on Faith's back and bounced a few times before coming off.  Faith stayed still and didn't move her feet. 




As her final exhibition for the guys, Gabrielle laid Faith down.  So she spent some time teaching this volunteer how to ask for Faith to bow and to lay down.  When his time was up working with Faith he was thrilled to have been able to work with her.  It was a very special day for all involved.  

Thursday, July 14, 2011

July 14, 2011

First Pedicure



At least a full month ahead of Jet, Faith got her first pedicure today.  She did wonderful. 




Faith did so well, our farrier, Mike, was able to use his stand.  He commented on how relaxed she was.




All of that lasted until the last foot.  Faith had stood as still as she could and her patience was gone by the last hoof.  We are all so proud of her though.  She did awesome for her first trim. 

Tomorrow she gets to go to Jubilee with us and meet lots of children and young men.  It will be an exciting day for all of us.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

July 13, 2011

Back to the regular scheduled training

For the past week Faith has been in conditioning training and there haven't been many pictures to post.  She has been allowed to run and play and begin building some muscle tone now that she has put on some weight.




Today she experienced balloons with large faces on them.  She looked at them but was attentive to Gabrielle.  Eventually the wind was blowing so much that a balloon got caught on her hind leg and broke free.  Faith was mildly concerned as it wrapped around her leg but she stayed calm and was relieved when it came loose.  Somewhere Elmo is landing. 




Poor Faith, she puts up with so much from the 14 year old that loves her so much.




Before doing anything with a new item, Gabrielle shows Faith the item.




The hope was that Faith would keep the hat on and pose.  She never allowed that but she did let Gabrielle put it on her head.

Since there were noodles in the trail challenge last year, Gabrielle thought she would take advantage and use them in her training of Faith. Gabrielle knows that the challenges will most likely be different but exposure to many different items is always a good thing.





The first time Gabrielle sent Faith through the noodles she lowered the middle noodle.  This was to build her confidence.




It must have worked well, because the next time she asked Faith to go between her and the fence, through all three noodles; Faith went without issue. 




Gabrielle walked with a tarp to allow Faith to follow the object first.




Standing so quiet, Faith allowed Gabrielle to put the tarp on her back.




Then Gabrielle had her walk around a little.  Sending Faith between her and the fence.








She let Faith smell the tarp and feel it on her face.




Then Gabrielle pulled the tarp over her head.  I kept thinking the tarp should be red so we could call her "Little Red Riding Hood". 








Did I mention the wind was blowing quite a bit today?  It was and the tarp billowed up from her head.




After a good work out both girls enjoyed a snuggle from each other. 

The next will be filled with many more firsts.  We will start taking Faith to different places to meet lots of people and show what she has already learned.  We are also hoping to meet her future owner.  Could that person be you?  If you are interested in meeting Faith in person please contact us at teenmustangchallenge@live.com