Saturday, November 7, 2009
Allisun visits... beautiful training and photographs result!
my dear friend, Allisun, came to visit a chilly Colorado from much more temperate Alameda, California. We grew up riding together-- lots of fun bareback rides around my neighborhood, always stopping to get apples and carrots from my mom who would come out of the house or garden to spoil the horses. Allisun is now a photographer, dancer, artist, teacher etc. and it was a real treat to be with her and Arrow. Allisun's photography website is http://www.luzography.com/. 
A frosty Arrow eats hay from Makendra's hand...
A chilly day- reminds me of when we filmmed Arrow with her band (Cloud's) in the snow in the Hell n' Gone in April of 2008. I'll upload one of those photos soon.
A frosty Arrow eats hay from Makendra's hand...A chilly day- reminds me of when we filmmed Arrow with her band (Cloud's) in the snow in the Hell n' Gone in April of 2008. I'll upload one of those photos soon. 
BLM freeze brand- scabbed but will soon grow in with white hair. A constant reminder of her lost freedom. 
Arrow is always calm-- and she likes to eat. She also loves drinking, that is the one thing I think she really enjoys about this new life-- a very close and always handy (albeit not big enough to play in) water source.
The photographer... caught on film!
Arrow is a dedicated eater as I lean on her back.
Allisun feeds an ever-more-trusting Arrow
The sun came out and blue sky Colorado returned
Arrow and Alli
Day 4, Oct. 4th, 2009
Went out at 9am today, left at noon. Too much time I think, I have to break up the training more.
Arrow wasn't hungry, but eventually she let me lean up against her and then massage her all over- she even dropped her head while I rubbed her poll. She is extremely tight and sore and clearly enjoyed the massage.
I worry a little because she really isn't 'engaging' -- just standing still and glancing at me occasionally. At one point she turned and I thought she was going to kick but she just scooted off and I whacked her rump with the rope halter (to make leaving more unpleasant than staying).
I was able to rub her all over with the halter and move it around on her neck and touch her ace but didn't quite get it over her nose-- that will be tomorrow I'm guessing
For a while I tried pushing her around with a swinging halter until she stood still. I think it will be good to get her into the roundpen too.
Arrow wasn't hungry, but eventually she let me lean up against her and then massage her all over- she even dropped her head while I rubbed her poll. She is extremely tight and sore and clearly enjoyed the massage.
I worry a little because she really isn't 'engaging' -- just standing still and glancing at me occasionally. At one point she turned and I thought she was going to kick but she just scooted off and I whacked her rump with the rope halter (to make leaving more unpleasant than staying).
I was able to rub her all over with the halter and move it around on her neck and touch her ace but didn't quite get it over her nose-- that will be tomorrow I'm guessing
For a while I tried pushing her around with a swinging halter until she stood still. I think it will be good to get her into the roundpen too.
Day 2- Oct. 3rd, 2009
Went to see Arrow in the morning and just walked around and sat wiht her. She ate a little grain and is brave about the rubber pan. Then I left for a couple hours and came back with my friend, Erin. We fed her hay and I walked around with her a lot, she understands my body language perfectly. I do wish I had a carrot stick though (soon to to be remedied).
Others have put their mustangs in a panel-chute, but I feel uncomfortable setting that up here, but also impatient to get going (though I shouldn't be).
We stood with her for over an hour and I just kept walking with her.
After everyone left I put her hay in the corner and just stood next to her while she ate. Then I leaned a little towward her, right behind her shoulder. She flinched a little but stood still. So with pure intentions I leaned against her a little and then a little more. We stayed like that for a while and then I rubbed ad stroked her all over and over her back for a while. Magical to have my fingers in her silver-tinged coat that just moments ago I wondered if I could ever touch.
The other (left) side was touchier (freeze-branding and vaccination side from BLM). At one point I thought she was going to turn and kick me (I may have gone overtime) but eventually I rubbed her all over on that side too. Probablly a good idea ot have a whip in case she spins to kick and I can "kick back". I have to work more on her face, but she did let me give her a hug and I could say I am so sorry.
I hope tomorrow we can get her halter trained soon.
Others have put their mustangs in a panel-chute, but I feel uncomfortable setting that up here, but also impatient to get going (though I shouldn't be).
We stood with her for over an hour and I just kept walking with her.
After everyone left I put her hay in the corner and just stood next to her while she ate. Then I leaned a little towward her, right behind her shoulder. She flinched a little but stood still. So with pure intentions I leaned against her a little and then a little more. We stayed like that for a while and then I rubbed ad stroked her all over and over her back for a while. Magical to have my fingers in her silver-tinged coat that just moments ago I wondered if I could ever touch.
The other (left) side was touchier (freeze-branding and vaccination side from BLM). At one point I thought she was going to turn and kick me (I may have gone overtime) but eventually I rubbed her all over on that side too. Probablly a good idea ot have a whip in case she spins to kick and I can "kick back". I have to work more on her face, but she did let me give her a hug and I could say I am so sorry.
I hope tomorrow we can get her halter trained soon.
Day 2 in Colorado Springs- Oct. 2, 2009
Didn't get off work til late and then Jim and I went over to see Arrow. He fed her hay and it was dark but for the lights. She is samall and I tried to touch her nose more and walk around a bit but she is very clear in her space and comfort zone. We give her the whole pen area at night and I think everyone is enjoyinig watching her settle in.
But where others see a content horse, I see a stolen soul.
But where others see a content horse, I see a stolen soul.
Arrow arrives in Colorado Springs
On October 1, 2009 Ginger & Ann trailered Arrow and Sax (Cloud's little half-brother) from Ft. Collins to Colorado Springs. We unloaded Arrow and managed to close the door before Sax could come out too. This little roan mare was calm and wide-eyed.
My journal entry from that day:
"Arrow came down from Ft. Collins today. Unloading went calmly, Arrow out- Sax stayed in. I had hoped to have hours and hours to sit with her, but between peope adn phone calls I only had a bit of time.
Her eyes are dark and mysterious and I wonder if she still sees her home.
You can sit right by her as she eats hay but I can only barely touch her nose as she eats grass hay.
She gets along fine- all brave two and a half years of her.
I guesstimate she was born on June 16th, 2007.
It is strange to have her here.
My journal entry from that day:
"Arrow came down from Ft. Collins today. Unloading went calmly, Arrow out- Sax stayed in. I had hoped to have hours and hours to sit with her, but between peope adn phone calls I only had a bit of time.
Her eyes are dark and mysterious and I wonder if she still sees her home.
You can sit right by her as she eats hay but I can only barely touch her nose as she eats grass hay.
She gets along fine- all brave two and a half years of her.
I guesstimate she was born on June 16th, 2007.
It is strange to have her here.
Auction
Arrow was adopted for $225. Other horses went high, but for some lucky reason Arrow was not on many people's radar.
--trailer loading on Sept. 27th
--traveling to Ft. Collins
--trailer loading on Sept. 27th
--traveling to Ft. Collins
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