Shadow got a little nervous. I was in a bit of a hurry (mistake) so I put Shadow into the hoof bath, so I
could go get her mother. I figured I would just take them both at the same time, which is never a
problem. What I didn't think about was that I have only taken Shadow out alone (mom back in the
paddock) or taken her out at the same time as her mother. I have never taken her mother out and left
Shadow behind.
When Shadow saw me leaving with her mother, she panicked. I quickly put Layla back into the
paddock, and went to open the gate where Shadow was. Shadow smashed up against the gate hard
and unfortunately my hand was in the way. It got smashed too. It was my fault, I got careless. Oh well,
its usually our family we make the most mistakes with. I have spent the last few weeks, working with
Shadow getting her used to her mother leaving, and letting her work thru her worry in a safe
environment (paddock with tall fences) I will be moving the girls to their new paddock later this week,
where Shadow will meet her new Best Friend Forever, Dahlia. (Hoping it works out that way)
August 18, 2007
Moved the girls with no problems. Heres a video of them in their new paddock. Shadow was pretty
excited.
Click here to return to page 1of Layla & Shadows story
could go get her mother. I figured I would just take them both at the same time, which is never a
problem. What I didn't think about was that I have only taken Shadow out alone (mom back in the
paddock) or taken her out at the same time as her mother. I have never taken her mother out and left
Shadow behind.
When Shadow saw me leaving with her mother, she panicked. I quickly put Layla back into the
paddock, and went to open the gate where Shadow was. Shadow smashed up against the gate hard
and unfortunately my hand was in the way. It got smashed too. It was my fault, I got careless. Oh well,
its usually our family we make the most mistakes with. I have spent the last few weeks, working with
Shadow getting her used to her mother leaving, and letting her work thru her worry in a safe
environment (paddock with tall fences) I will be moving the girls to their new paddock later this week,
where Shadow will meet her new Best Friend Forever, Dahlia. (Hoping it works out that way)
August 18, 2007
Moved the girls with no problems. Heres a video of them in their new paddock. Shadow was pretty
excited.
Click here to return to page 1of Layla & Shadows story
November 9th, 2007
I spent a few hours working on Laylas mane the other day. Its one of the few things she really seems
to enjoy. Her mane hair is so fine its gets really ratty very fast. Its incredibly long and pretty.
Shadow has been enjoying her afternoons playing with baby Dahlia, finally she has some one to run
and be silly with. Layla is old and cranky when it comes to the babies, she has no tolerance for their
silliness.
Janurary 23, 2008
I promise updated pics soon. Its been so gloomy out that I just don't enjoy dragging the camera
outside. I spent sometime hanging out with Shadow today. Shes such a sweet horse, she truly has a
special personality. Some horses tolerate people, some horses like us, and some horses love us.
Shadow is one of those horses who loves people. I can't wait to see what kind of mature horse she
turns out to be, I am certain she is going to be amazing.
Today we spent a while going over the basics, making sure she remembers all shes learned. I haven't
spent much time working with her since Honey arrived (guilt). Shadow will be 2 this coming April.
February 5, 2008
Ack! Layla cast herself inside her shelter today. When I went out to do the bedtime check, I was
shocked to find her completely wedged up against the shelter wall, . Poor Layla had obviously been
there long enough to make herself quite tired. She was laying there, looking at me and nickering.
Gratefully shes a petite girl so pulling her over by myself was possible. No injuries, shes just a little
embarrassed.
April 14, 2008
Happy Birthday Shadow!! Shes 2 years old today.
Shes growing up to be a very big girl. Heres a shot of her with my 6 ft. tall husband this weekend.
I spent a few hours working on Laylas mane the other day. Its one of the few things she really seems
to enjoy. Her mane hair is so fine its gets really ratty very fast. Its incredibly long and pretty.
Shadow has been enjoying her afternoons playing with baby Dahlia, finally she has some one to run
and be silly with. Layla is old and cranky when it comes to the babies, she has no tolerance for their
silliness.
Janurary 23, 2008
I promise updated pics soon. Its been so gloomy out that I just don't enjoy dragging the camera
outside. I spent sometime hanging out with Shadow today. Shes such a sweet horse, she truly has a
special personality. Some horses tolerate people, some horses like us, and some horses love us.
Shadow is one of those horses who loves people. I can't wait to see what kind of mature horse she
turns out to be, I am certain she is going to be amazing.
Today we spent a while going over the basics, making sure she remembers all shes learned. I haven't
spent much time working with her since Honey arrived (guilt). Shadow will be 2 this coming April.
February 5, 2008
Ack! Layla cast herself inside her shelter today. When I went out to do the bedtime check, I was
shocked to find her completely wedged up against the shelter wall, . Poor Layla had obviously been
there long enough to make herself quite tired. She was laying there, looking at me and nickering.
Gratefully shes a petite girl so pulling her over by myself was possible. No injuries, shes just a little
embarrassed.
April 14, 2008
Happy Birthday Shadow!! Shes 2 years old today.
Shes growing up to be a very big girl. Heres a shot of her with my 6 ft. tall husband this weekend.
April 21, 2008
Well, Shadow is officially two, so its time to begin serious work. Up until now, it’s just been about the
basics, all the things babies need to know. Today I showed her what being a big horse is like.
I took her out to the round pen and let her look around. She sniffed everything, considered rolling,
but was just a bit to nervous. It’s been a long time since I worked with an Arab (20+ years) it’s been
all QH’s, Drafts & TB’s for a long time. I forgot how different Arabs are, how intense & emotional (my
human description) they can be, it was a fun change.
We started with some easy round pen work. Just asked her to move around in the direction I
wanted. Preferably at the walk but excitement and nerves would get the best of her and she would
speed up. Did some easy direction changes, easy until she realized I was deciding which way we
would go. Then of course came the little Arab tantrums, head tossing, bucking, spinning, the
tantrums were brief, and she would return to what I asked. It took her about 30 minutes to settle
down and start to think about where she was. Took another 10 or 15 minutes for her to really notice
me. She stopped and looked at me, I asked her to come into the middle, she was greatly relieved,
lots of licking and chewing, head down, eyes blinking, she was tired. We stopped there, I rubbed her
down for a long time, massaged her tense little neck. Then headed out for some much needed grass
eating.
April 24, 2008
I took Shadow to the round pen today. It was a very different experience from the day before. Today
she was relaxed and interested in really exploring all the round pen had to offer. She mouthed
everything, the mounting block, the sticks, the lodge poles, and her lead lying on the ground. Then
she moved onto seeing what she could move with her hooves. She spent some time pawing and
pushing the mounting block around.
When she moved off to see what else there was to do in the little pen, I took a seat on the block. I
decided this was good time to get a little meditation in. I was sitting there, eyes closed, meditating,
running energy, and just relaxing. I heard Shadow walk over to inspect me. Clearly she understood
something about me was different. I felt her standing right in front of me, I opened my eyes and she
was staring right at me. Her eyes are a brilliant shiny deep black, I love her eyes. I gave her a little
rub, and she walked off to do some more exploring.
After a while I became far more interesting than anything inside or outside of the round pen. I
wondered if she would follow me. I stood up and walked off, she came with me, and we walked in
circles both directions, then she left. I returned to the block, sat back down, and continued to
meditate. She came back over to be with me. This time I remained seated, and she stayed with me
for about 5 minutes. I decided to change things up a bit more; I stood and climbed up the mounting
block steps. Her eyes got very big when I did this, it didn’t seem to scare her, but rather amaze her. I
rubbed her head, and played with her forelock while she stood with me.
Today in the round pen was such a pleasure. No tantrums, or panics, just the two of us hanging out,
exploring each other.
Click here for next page
Well, Shadow is officially two, so its time to begin serious work. Up until now, it’s just been about the
basics, all the things babies need to know. Today I showed her what being a big horse is like.
I took her out to the round pen and let her look around. She sniffed everything, considered rolling,
but was just a bit to nervous. It’s been a long time since I worked with an Arab (20+ years) it’s been
all QH’s, Drafts & TB’s for a long time. I forgot how different Arabs are, how intense & emotional (my
human description) they can be, it was a fun change.
We started with some easy round pen work. Just asked her to move around in the direction I
wanted. Preferably at the walk but excitement and nerves would get the best of her and she would
speed up. Did some easy direction changes, easy until she realized I was deciding which way we
would go. Then of course came the little Arab tantrums, head tossing, bucking, spinning, the
tantrums were brief, and she would return to what I asked. It took her about 30 minutes to settle
down and start to think about where she was. Took another 10 or 15 minutes for her to really notice
me. She stopped and looked at me, I asked her to come into the middle, she was greatly relieved,
lots of licking and chewing, head down, eyes blinking, she was tired. We stopped there, I rubbed her
down for a long time, massaged her tense little neck. Then headed out for some much needed grass
eating.
April 24, 2008
I took Shadow to the round pen today. It was a very different experience from the day before. Today
she was relaxed and interested in really exploring all the round pen had to offer. She mouthed
everything, the mounting block, the sticks, the lodge poles, and her lead lying on the ground. Then
she moved onto seeing what she could move with her hooves. She spent some time pawing and
pushing the mounting block around.
When she moved off to see what else there was to do in the little pen, I took a seat on the block. I
decided this was good time to get a little meditation in. I was sitting there, eyes closed, meditating,
running energy, and just relaxing. I heard Shadow walk over to inspect me. Clearly she understood
something about me was different. I felt her standing right in front of me, I opened my eyes and she
was staring right at me. Her eyes are a brilliant shiny deep black, I love her eyes. I gave her a little
rub, and she walked off to do some more exploring.
After a while I became far more interesting than anything inside or outside of the round pen. I
wondered if she would follow me. I stood up and walked off, she came with me, and we walked in
circles both directions, then she left. I returned to the block, sat back down, and continued to
meditate. She came back over to be with me. This time I remained seated, and she stayed with me
for about 5 minutes. I decided to change things up a bit more; I stood and climbed up the mounting
block steps. Her eyes got very big when I did this, it didn’t seem to scare her, but rather amaze her. I
rubbed her head, and played with her forelock while she stood with me.
Today in the round pen was such a pleasure. No tantrums, or panics, just the two of us hanging out,
exploring each other.
Click here for next page