April 25, 2008
I am having a love affair with my pretty princess. Sounds silly, I know, but it’s totally true. She is
such a joy to work with. I love playing with her. Today I took her out several times. Once to the
round pen, a couple times just out to eat some grass, and once to go with me to the tack room to
pick up a carrot and a chair. I am amazed at her ability to trust me.
She got a full grooming today, the” more than” generic kind of grooming. I broke out the hair
conditioner ( the really shiny slimmy stuff) and covered her mane and tail in it. I combed her all out,
she has such a beautiful mane and tail. I felt like I was 10 playing with my collection of “pretty
ponies”. She loves being groomed, I curried and brushed her all over. She has some itchy skin
issues under her belly so I slathered on the thick lotion with tea tree & chamomile. She dropped
her head to the ground and enjoyed the complete relief from itching (for a few minutes)
We did a little work in the round pen, just moved her around both directions, nothing hard, just a
reminder of how to listen to what I want.
May 22, 2008
Today was amazing. I was out in the paddock working with Dahlia and Shadow. I was teaching them
about fly spray. Neither of them was to excited about this lesson. At one point Layla came over.
She seemed to want to know what I was doing with her kids, so I told her, I was trying to show them
that fly spray was a wonderful invention. It keeps the flys from wanting to land on you. She began
that low nicker that she does when shes talking to her babies. Esp. when she believes they might
be in harms way. I just stood there watching her nickering, and realized that she was nickering at
me, not them.
At first I didn't know what to make of it, so I just watched her. As I watched and listened I got the
distinct impression that she wanted me to spray her. So I thought ok, lets see what happens. I
sprayed first at her hooves, she just kept nickering, so then I sprayed her legs, then chest, neck,
back, butt, and finally hind legs. I was shocked. I walked around to her other side and repeated it
all over again on her bad side. The whole time she just kept nickering. Once I finished and the flys
all departed, she began a lick, chew, & yawn fest. It was fascinating to watch.
The flys had all left her body and were now congregating on her face and mouth, so I asked do you
want this stuff on your face, and the low nickering began again. So I put the fly spray on my hands
and began to rub it all over her face, ears, and under her jaw. Mind you, Layla does not like any kind
of real contact, so this really surprised me. When I finished rubbing it on her face, I took a step
back and said there you go, she turned and walked away.
Layla surprised me. I don't get surprised to often anymore.
July 9th, 2008
Layla & Shadow have been living apart for more than a month now. Layla is in a special paddock
right next to Shadow & Dahlia. Shadow and Dahlia are now living with Sam. Its all babies up front.
They are all quite happy.
Layla has been getting allot more training time now that she doesn't have to be a full time mother.
Shes coming back around nicely, shes interested in mingling with whomever comes by her
paddock, esp. if they come bearing gifts, such as carrots or cookies. I don't know exactly whats in
Laylas future, I am sure in time, it will be more obvious to me.
October 29, 2008
A friend of mine, Sparkie, has begun working with Layla. Sparkie has been spending time with her
working on creating a connection between the two of them. Its exactly what Layla needs, she still
doesn't trust people enough to allow them to help her in all situations. The work Sparkie is doing
with her is helping to change Laylas perspective on people and what they want. Everyone who
knows Layla well, has noticed the changes in her demeanor. Shes softer, more willing, and
interested in connecting with the people who pass by her paddock.
January 9, 2009
Its hard to believe that Shadow will be 3 this year. Time flies. Shes become a very polite little horse. I
love her manners. Today I had her out in the round pen doing a little refresher on the hose. Shes
never been much of a fan of spraying water. Today I turned the hose onto spray and sat in the middle
of pen while she walked around and around it. She finally mustered the courage to stick her nose on
the hose, and then finally into the spray. Once she remembers how fun spraying water can be she
relaxes. She spent the next couple of minutes drinking water, and wiggling her nose in the spray.
Shadow has a great personality and un bounding curiosity. I will have to make an effort to get some
new photos up.
January 12, 2009
Shadow and the other babies enjoy meeting Linda the farriers dog!
Today was amazing. I was out in the paddock working with Dahlia and Shadow. I was teaching them
about fly spray. Neither of them was to excited about this lesson. At one point Layla came over.
She seemed to want to know what I was doing with her kids, so I told her, I was trying to show them
that fly spray was a wonderful invention. It keeps the flys from wanting to land on you. She began
that low nicker that she does when shes talking to her babies. Esp. when she believes they might
be in harms way. I just stood there watching her nickering, and realized that she was nickering at
me, not them.
At first I didn't know what to make of it, so I just watched her. As I watched and listened I got the
distinct impression that she wanted me to spray her. So I thought ok, lets see what happens. I
sprayed first at her hooves, she just kept nickering, so then I sprayed her legs, then chest, neck,
back, butt, and finally hind legs. I was shocked. I walked around to her other side and repeated it
all over again on her bad side. The whole time she just kept nickering. Once I finished and the flys
all departed, she began a lick, chew, & yawn fest. It was fascinating to watch.
The flys had all left her body and were now congregating on her face and mouth, so I asked do you
want this stuff on your face, and the low nickering began again. So I put the fly spray on my hands
and began to rub it all over her face, ears, and under her jaw. Mind you, Layla does not like any kind
of real contact, so this really surprised me. When I finished rubbing it on her face, I took a step
back and said there you go, she turned and walked away.
Layla surprised me. I don't get surprised to often anymore.
July 9th, 2008
Layla & Shadow have been living apart for more than a month now. Layla is in a special paddock
right next to Shadow & Dahlia. Shadow and Dahlia are now living with Sam. Its all babies up front.
They are all quite happy.
Layla has been getting allot more training time now that she doesn't have to be a full time mother.
Shes coming back around nicely, shes interested in mingling with whomever comes by her
paddock, esp. if they come bearing gifts, such as carrots or cookies. I don't know exactly whats in
Laylas future, I am sure in time, it will be more obvious to me.
October 29, 2008
A friend of mine, Sparkie, has begun working with Layla. Sparkie has been spending time with her
working on creating a connection between the two of them. Its exactly what Layla needs, she still
doesn't trust people enough to allow them to help her in all situations. The work Sparkie is doing
with her is helping to change Laylas perspective on people and what they want. Everyone who
knows Layla well, has noticed the changes in her demeanor. Shes softer, more willing, and
interested in connecting with the people who pass by her paddock.
January 9, 2009
Its hard to believe that Shadow will be 3 this year. Time flies. Shes become a very polite little horse. I
love her manners. Today I had her out in the round pen doing a little refresher on the hose. Shes
never been much of a fan of spraying water. Today I turned the hose onto spray and sat in the middle
of pen while she walked around and around it. She finally mustered the courage to stick her nose on
the hose, and then finally into the spray. Once she remembers how fun spraying water can be she
relaxes. She spent the next couple of minutes drinking water, and wiggling her nose in the spray.
Shadow has a great personality and un bounding curiosity. I will have to make an effort to get some
new photos up.
January 12, 2009
Shadow and the other babies enjoy meeting Linda the farriers dog!
Layla enjoying the Sun!!