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Janet' report for 1-6-02
People in attendance: Nancy, Leilani, Jackie, Janet, and Cliff.
Today was another beautiful day so we took full advantage of it. Jackie
was running a little late so Nancy and Leilani started out for the first
hour simply have a "love" session with all the boys. They filled their
pockets full of treats and just went out and loved on the boys.
Sometimes they had the halter in their hand others they did not but they
were able to approach each of the boys (well most of the boys actually
approached them) and pet each of them and then turn and try and walk
away. Most everyone one of them would follow the person who had
approached them. It was great fun to watch these once wild creatures
begging for human attention but at the same time being very respectful
of the humans space and not invading it unless first asking.
Once Jackie arrived we began the "work" for the day. Each horse was
pulled, groomed up very nicely, which wasn't really hard as they all
pretty much remained clean from the day before, and did some refresher
work with the horse blanket again. All of the horses (except Yogi, whom
we really haven't worked the blanket) are now easy to blanket and take
it with ease. I honestly think the humans have a more difficult time
with the bulky blankets than the horses do at this point.
Then for something new to try, as a few of the boys (and humans) are
looking for some new challenges we dug out a saddle. We were able to
saddle all the horses except Jack, Yogi, Gator, and Spirit. And I am
sure if we had tried these 4 they would have readily accepted it but we
just never had time to try it. All the rest of the horses were
saddled and led around and did some disengagements. They all accepted
the saddle being cinched up and the slapping of the seat as if it was
something totally natural for them. These guys are just awesome. And I
think all the volunteers were floating on cloud nine judging from the
huge smiles on their faces.
Cliff was the designated burro handler for the day. He first haltered
Fancy and led her from the round pen and did some grooming. We are
having a bit of a thaw here and she has been laying down in the mud.
Next he haltered Rosie and brought her out. He did some grooming with
her and then trimmed her feet as they were getting a little long. She
did fantastic. Cliff then just spent some time grooming and loving on
Belle. She is as big as a house and is absolutely miserable.
And I got the total enjoyment of taking pictures and watching how far
(both horses and humans) have come in these last months and I am sure I
must have been beaming from ear to ear as well.
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