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I noticed with my own wild ones at
home that they had to get used to the sounds and sights of snow clothes, so
I wore noisy nylon bright ski stuff.
My day started off by spending time
with our future "Ma Belle", I've been thinking about her all week. She's
been pretty crabby lately (those of us who have been through the last weeks
of pregnancy can identify!). In the nice sunshine, she and the other burros
were let out to wander the big work area as always. At first she skittled
around, didn't want to be touched, etc. but eventually we buddied up and I
spent a long time getting all her itches and telling her what a good mom
she'll be. Eventually I was laying over her back scratching her neck with
one hand and rump with the other, she started to 'donkey hum', and then I
felt her baby move and kick inside her through to me! No wonder she's
crabby, he's a strong little boy in there! But it was really magical.
Janet haltered up Rosie and I haltered Fancy and they got a deep grooming
and work session, and it was also the day Janet wanted to take good head
shots of everybody, so they modeled nicely. They have deep, soft fur, quite
different from most burros whose hair is more coarse. Fancy was happy to
honk the horn for the camera!
Cliff haltered up Frosty and groomed and did
all of his feet, etc. and was worked for the camera doing suppling and
lungeing exercises and he was excellent as usual. Leilani arrived and as is
her habit she headed straight for Magic who has become very good about being
caught. He's also getting better about his feet, particularly in that he
will hold more of his own considerable weight. He was also groomed and then
worked on leading through the course, etc. Janet got Spirit, who also is
much improved on being caught and haltered and he also got the full
treatment.
Spirit, and several of the other horses are learning to pick up
their feet with just a touch, or even a finger pointed at their fetlock with
a voice cue, it is pretty great to see wild horses do what is rare to see
any horse do. I got 'Gator and Leilani got Dusty, this is not a hard task
since these guys follow us around begging to be haltered! They've both
grown beautiful winter coats, deep and shiny.
Gator did a longeing and
suppling demonstration for the camera, he had a few miscues (probably my
directions), but we worked through it working to understand each other and he
really was doing well by the end of the session. Dusty was also worked and
honked the horn as well.
Cliff haltered up Jack, who is slowly improving on
his trust issues, but he is still quite nervous and jumpy at times. He is a
beautiful big buckskin and I am sure that with time, patience and
consistency he will continue to improve and relax, but he wants to be very,
VERY sure that we are not cougars so we will continue to reassure him. At
about this time the wind really started to kick up which presented more of a
challenge to the remaining horses and with our nylony clothes whipping
around.
Next Cliff brought out Mo, I really like him more and more, he just
has a 'look' about him and is a beautiful mover. He is also improving on
being caught, will actually come right up to visit (and get cookies) out in
the big field. He is also on a trust curve, but is getting more relaxed
every time I see him thanks to all the kind treatment and daily care from
the Tiptons.
Leilani haltered up Moose, and the videographer shot a
beautiful segment of Janet going in to catch Yogi, I wish you all could see
it. You can see the thoughts going on in his head and then you see him
making choices to trust, to stand still for catching, to drop his head to
enjoy affection with Janet, it is very cool, I'm so glad it's on tape, too
bad there isn't tape of how he used to act! People would never believe
it.
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Leilani working with Dusty.
Kelly Rigby from the BLM
filming Sharron with Gator.
"Burro Ladies" taking a break
Sharron and Yogi
Leilani and Moose
Rosie
Fancy
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