THIS EVENT IS NOW OVER
I am still shocked that, Rosie and Pip, will very soon be 10 years old! The years have passed so quickly! Scary in a way! On the bright side, I have had just over 9 wonderful years with, Rosie! Lots of heartache and lots of joy. Watching her grow into this beautiful graceful horse as been so rewarding for me.
When I came to care for her fully, she was out of control and dangerous to be around. But with the right help from an horse trainer, Debbie Glennan, she did a turn around.
Rosie, was happier in herself and was more relaxed. She still wasn't like the other horses, she would stand back when they came to me for their feed. She is still like it today and very nervous of people she doesn't know.
I am working with, Rosie, by having a small separate paddock and take her feed in there so we are on our own and away from the other horses! It is working a treat!
Rosie is now walking up the field to come to me and goes into the paddock on her OWN!!!! Yes, on her own! It is amazing to see her doing this while I am standing at the entrance of the paddock. She as never done this before in all the years I have had her! The only time she would come to me and stand beside me is when I had her in her own field on her own. The trainer told me to keep her on her own, that way she will come to me as there is no other horses around.
It was lovely having her come to me ever time I went into the field. I could feed her and after a little time I was grooming her. But after a week I started to feel sorry for her and the others. She could see other horses in the next field but I knew she was missing her friends and she was only walking up to me because she must of felt lonely. So I took her back with the others and she loved it, so did the others. They ran around like mad horses for about half an hour. They stayed together for a long time after that and after about 4 hours they all did their usual pattern. Going off eating grass.
I tried to get, Rosie, to come to me but she went straight back to being her usual self and not allowing me near her! I felt down hearten but knew she was happier being with her family, so that made me happy.
I called the trainer and she said, Rosie, will always be like this unless she is in her own paddock and on her own. It's to do with the treatment she received as a foal. Plus she is very sensitive and is a nervous horse. But I can't let her stay on her own just because I want her to come to me when I feel like it!! That's not fair on any horse. That's why I know I could never re-home, Rosie! She will be with me always, as will the others, God willing!
I have seen a big improvement just by setting the other paddock up and feeding her away from the others. She knows, Pip, is a fast eater and will take over her food as well, so that's one reason she likes the paddock to herself!!! Now I can touch her mane when she is eating. Before I had to have an headcollar on her before I could do that.
I can also stroke down the side of her body while she is eating and she doesn't move away from my hand so much. Where as before she would leave her food and go to the other end of the field rather then let me touch her!
So I am very happy with the progress we have made and will keep doing the work so she knows she can trust me 100% and is happy with doing so.
Time and patients is everything. Even if it takes years (In my case it has!!!)
Please pop over and wish, Rosie, a very happy birthday near to the date and I will be posting lots of photos and a video of her big day!!!