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Mix 9 wonderfully gentled wild horses, 2 fuzzy burro best pals and one "Lady
Madonna" burro getting ready to give birth. Add 5 fanatic horse mentors,
matching Santa hats for mentors and equines and one digital camera!
We had such a great day on Saturday, Alissa and I started off with about an hour of
work with Fancy and Rosie, working on haltering, leading and spending time
at the "beauty station". They were very well behaved and were particularly
sweet about having all of their hooves picked out. During this process both
Fancy and Rosie took turns doing 'burro' work, hauling around on their backs
our extra jackets as it got warm and carrying the clicker bag around their
necks. Saturday was holiday picture taking day and they were the first to
don the holiday attire. (Please see Part 16.)
Some things are too much high fun to put into words.
Beautiful litte Belle, now very visibly "heavy with
child" has her own paddock and shelter and we visited with her, scratching
her itches and giving loves. I believe my desire to name the new baby when
he arrives "Bambino Jesus (heysoos)" was voted down by the other more
tasteful mentors, but we are all THAT excited about the impending birth.
Meanwhile, Becky and Nancy had haltered up Jack and Mohawk, both boys seem
to be making progress in their confidence and are leading well and becoming
more trusting. They also took their turns at the beauty station, Mo's mane
(the short part) is starting to grow longer and will soon match his long
part which hangs on his shoulder! I really wondered how these guys would do
with the hats, after sniffing them all over they went right on like they'd
worn a hat over an ear a thousand times, they didn't bat an eye!
We followed the same routine with all of the rest of the horses: Dusty getting
groomed while honking up a storm, he practically put the hat on himself,
he's such a ham. Becky worked with Spirit and then to grooming, his shiny
bright red winter coat matched his hat nicely. Alissa worked with 'Gator,
he's a flashy, gorgeous black and white, he loves attention and is a
prankster.
While we were clicker training with the burros earlier, Frosty
watched us over the fence so I went over and played "touch it" with him, he
got the idea immediately so I kept switching objects and locations, he never
missed. Pure show-off, we worked with him for awhile and then he seemed to
love every second at the beauty station, even nostril cleaning! I swear,
when Janet put the hat on him he believed it was his overdue crowning, he
literally strutted around. Moose got a nice long training session with
Nancy and then a groom-up and hoof-picking, he was as sweet and willing
about the hat and photos as he is about everything else.
As each horse was
finished, they were turned out into the newly fenced field, about 3 acres I
think, to get to play together like wild horses. The last 2 left to catch
were Magic and Yogi, who usually enjoy the game of 'not getting caught'.
But after watching all their pals being pulled out they didn't budge an inch
when we went to get them, I think they were getting worried we'd forgotten!
Magic is such a massive black Presence, and so good on the lead line and is
learning to lower his head for grooming when we pull lightly down on his
forelock (which is a good thing or we'd never reach it!). Alissa groomed
him and found he has many extra square inches to cover, she got her own
work-out. He's getting his thick teddy-bear winter coat, and he is like a
big stuffed bear.
Last was Yogi, what a success story Janet has made of
him. He leads very lightly and was brought over with all the others to the
"station" and was very calm being groomed and lifting hooves, etc. and is
learning to be handled by many different people and to find he's still okay.
During grooming with Magic and Yogi, a pressurized water valve suddenly
blew open and made a huge popping blast. Both Magic and Yogi jumped, but it
was great to see Yogi stop himself from pulling and running and remaining
calm and trusting. Magic of course wore the Santa hat well, he looks like
he could carry Santa and his presents around the world! And Yogi, after
sniffing the hat barely noticed when it was put on his head. (I think
Janet's expression says it all...)
We should have been making our own
Olympic horse video, when we turned Magic and Yogi into the field with their
pals all of the horses ran and ran, it was so beautiful as only wild horses
can look, but watching these specific horses, each with their own unique
characteristics and wonderfully endearing qualities reminded us of who they
are, and how they lived just a few short months ago. What a rewarding and
fulfilling thing this has been to be involved with, and I'm amazed by all
the long hours and effort and money and expertise and caring that so many
have and are continuing to give because of love and regard for the wild
horses and burros. Happy Holidays to all!
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Becky cleaning Spirit's hinds
Becky with Mo
Brushing Mo's forelock
Nancy cleaning Jack's front feet
...and his hinds
Playing in the new turnout
Sharron with Fancy
Alissa with Rosie
Rosie's new outfit
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