MERRY CHRISTMAS

Kaylee and Casey wish everyone a

Merry Christmas 

and

Happy Holidays

Training Week 5

The weekly training sessions with Jen V.

are showing results.
I would like to thank Karen T.
for taking pictures for me so
I could work with Kaylee.

Backing up doesn't take much

effort anymore.

Here Jen demonstrates looping the rope

over the head. It didn't bother her a bit.

Here Linda gives it a try.

My turn.

After some time in the indoor, it was time to

head up the hill and work outdoors.

The trip up the hill was quite the adventure.

With the wind swirling there was a lot of resistance and

jumpiness in the babies. It made for some tense

moments for the handlers.

But once in the ring they all calmed down

and resumed the training.

The above is Linda trying to get Kaylee

to yield the hind quarters. Now most people

think Kaylee is the sweetest most gentle

baby there is. BUT!

Here are the results.

A startling reminder of why

we are doing the training classes.

I was quite impressed as Linda
stuck with it and corrected
Kaylee. it is a tough thing for her
to use the Handy Stick on her baby.

The training is not just for adults.
Here Taylor T. works with Tye.

New Pics

It's been hard to take pics and learn to train at the same time.

Kaylee is more interested in the camera and what I'm doing

than paying attention to lessons.

Kaylee continues to blossom with every passing week.
She is progressing well in the training. Showing she understands
what we expect quickly, but also having moments of defiance
and down right stubborness when she wants no part of what we are doing.

I had her kicking and rearing last week when we were trying to teach
her to move sideways. I held my ground and she hers. We called it a draw
and will continue next week.

So here are some recent pics from when Linda's dad came to the barn to see her.

It was a busy day at the barn, lots of little visitors

from the pony party.

The Foal shed gets a permanent roof

With winter coming it was time to replace the tarp that served

as the temporary roof for the foal shed.

So April gathered up the supplies, put out the call

and we made the change.

Tom K, John F. and myself took on the task

of making the shed safe for snow.

Paprika the pony, who was with us during the build. Gives her stamp
of approval by using the shelter.

The roofing crew.

Natural Horsemanship week 2

Kaylee's training using natural horsemanship continues.

We started this week with the YO-YO game.
Making them back up, and then bringing them forward.

Here is the rope wiggle to get her to back up.

Here Linda pretends to pull on the rope

to get kaylee to move forward.

Then, a new tool is introduced.

The Handy Stick. A good way to

desensitize while keeping a safe distance.

Rub it everywhere and if you find an "OH NO"

spot your safe to keep working. As I found out while
working her right hind quarters and she kicked out
three times. But with slight corrections with the rope and halter,
Kaylee quickly learned that the kicking would not be tolerated
and she relaxed.

Natural Horsemanship Training

With the help of Jen V who has graciously stepped forward and

offered her knowledge of Pirelli training, Kaylee will no doubt

become even more of a well behaved and properly trained

little horse.

Jen and Fling go over today's lesson

 

Jen demonstrates tossing the lead over

Fling's back. This gets the horse used to blankets, saddle pads,

saddles and anything else that needs to be put on them.

Linda practices making Kaylee back up
with actions and not words.

Kaylee shows her stubborn side.
But she is new to it and did pretty well overall.

Jen gives Linda some pointers, notice the distance between them.
Kaylee is relaxed enough not to come up close.
This seems to be working.

I even gave it a shot, here I try to make her back up
by staring her down. She held her ground, but at least she looked me in the eye
and payed attention.

This training is just what is needed, and not just for Kaylee.

We have been doing little things up until now.

The things we learn here from Jen will not just make us more

in control but also safer, as Kaylee learns to trust us

and what will be expected of her.

Kaylee looking good in her new rug.

Bella and Sox have a new home

It's official. Bella and Sox have been adopted.

They were taken home to Sturbridge

this morning.

Cindy we wish you the best of luck with

your new babies.

It was very strange to go to the barn tonight

and only have Kaylee and Lucky there.

I am amazed that in its first 6 months of existence,

Lucky Horse has managed to rescue eight Foals and find owners for all.

What started out as a handful of volunteers with large dreams has turned into a successful little organization that seems to grow steadily week by week. I think we can look forward to great things from this group and I am excited to see what the future brings.

Six months ago when Linda told me she wanted to adopt this baby horse, I figured I would stop in from time to time to visit as this was "HER" thing.

But low and behold as time went on this little horse had quite the effect on me. I actually look forward to going to the barn each day for our visit. It has been fascinating to watch her grow in size and personality. I can only imagine what the coming months will bring as she gets older and we can begin to really get into training and ground work.

BENEFIT FOR BABIES NOW AND FUTURE

Tonight was a night to celebrate what has been and will be.

A barn dance to raise money for Lucky Horse.
There was a live and silent auction.

Bagpipes and and dance performances.

And of course what would a barn dance be without Square dancing.

 

It was a fun night for all, with Lucky Horse raising much needed

funds for the upcoming

foaling season.

Foal Training after the scare

It's been two days since the colic? scare. This roller coaster ride
is playing havoc with the nerves and heart strings.But it is also an incredible journey
watching Kaylee grow up.

Tonight we do the foal training keeping a close watch

on how Kaylee reacts. Luckily all went well although we did limit her participation.

Walking over the rails

 

 

 Having fake flowers rubbed on

the body got a little reaction.

 She just keeps getting bigger, she

truly looks like a little horse now.

 

They are still babies and do

get spooked.

But they know how to have

a little fun too.

They had a big visitor, and none

of them were freaked out.