October 8, 2009
Since Shadow is almost an adult now, I felt she should have her own special page on the website. To
see Shadows first 3 years of life go to Laylas Story
Shadow is now 3 and half years old. Up until the last month or so, I have only worked with Shadow on
the most basic stuff. But shes become a very well mannered little horse. Today we began preparing for
the saddle. I don't know what I was expecting, but it went so smooth, I was rather surprised. Not
because I thought it would be in any way difficult, but because she was so trusting, that it was simply no
problem at all.
Shadow was born here at my ranch, so I have been with her since about her 2nd hour of life. She has
never known anything abusive, traumatic or un pleasant, she only knows consistency and fairness. She
is always the first at the gate to greet me, she tries anything I ask, and I don't think she would ever
consider being disrespectful to me.
So when I placed the pad on her back, she treated it like everything else I have ever asked her to try.
She looked at it, and it was as if she said, ok, you would never do anything to hurt me, so what ever you
want is fine. I lightly tightened the cinch and I asked her to walk off. She walked, trotted and cantered,
then we went for a walk and she had some grass. She never once became upset or frightened. I guess
I am mostly used to working with horses who have had no real reason to trust people, so it takes much
longer with them, they need more time to adjust, more time to see that I really mean them no harm. With
Shadow today, I felt kind of honored, like this relationship we have might turn out to be a very special
one.
Since Shadow is almost an adult now, I felt she should have her own special page on the website. To
see Shadows first 3 years of life go to Laylas Story
Shadow is now 3 and half years old. Up until the last month or so, I have only worked with Shadow on
the most basic stuff. But shes become a very well mannered little horse. Today we began preparing for
the saddle. I don't know what I was expecting, but it went so smooth, I was rather surprised. Not
because I thought it would be in any way difficult, but because she was so trusting, that it was simply no
problem at all.
Shadow was born here at my ranch, so I have been with her since about her 2nd hour of life. She has
never known anything abusive, traumatic or un pleasant, she only knows consistency and fairness. She
is always the first at the gate to greet me, she tries anything I ask, and I don't think she would ever
consider being disrespectful to me.
So when I placed the pad on her back, she treated it like everything else I have ever asked her to try.
She looked at it, and it was as if she said, ok, you would never do anything to hurt me, so what ever you
want is fine. I lightly tightened the cinch and I asked her to walk off. She walked, trotted and cantered,
then we went for a walk and she had some grass. She never once became upset or frightened. I guess
I am mostly used to working with horses who have had no real reason to trust people, so it takes much
longer with them, they need more time to adjust, more time to see that I really mean them no harm. With
Shadow today, I felt kind of honored, like this relationship we have might turn out to be a very special
one.
