Hubby and I went up to visit the horses yesterday and Gigondas was BEGGING to go for a romp in the arena! She quietly stood by her corral gate and yawned and yawned and yawned. OKAY! I got the memo! Now, due to the weather and the lack of daylight, I've only been able to get up to the horses on weekends (until vacation) and honestly, I haven't taken any of them down to the arena until yesterday. It has either been too cold, too windy, or raining, or sleeting! Yesterday was perfect! So, I haltered her and led her down to the arena. Now, remember, Gigo has a BAD HABIT of bolting the minute she gets into the arena, but I've been working with her, so I quietly led her around her corral first, sang to her, patted her, worked on "stay", and she was PERFECT! She stopped just beyond the gate and waited for me to unlatch her halter. She lingered until I sent her off. WHAT A GOOD GIRL! Phew! She's a very smart mare and remembers her lessons. I'm trying to think of the last time I took her down to the arena...it must be at least a month??? She ran and ran and ran and rolled 3 times! Then she followed me around the arena and I worked with her on "stay", "come" and "back". It's a good thing she knows "back" now because she stepped on the lead rope and I actually had to back her up to get her off it! I'm still fiddling around with the macro setting on my camera, trying to learn how to use it, but I like this photo of her and the shadows. Macro Monday for December 28, 2009. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAL! 30 years old today!
You know, we don't know Gigo's past history. She was on a slaughter-bound feedlot in WA state when I saw her photo online and adopted Gigo and Beauty at the same time. Gigondas appears to have had SOME prior training as she stands still for her shots and for the ferrier. BUT...apparently she has NOT been ridden! She does remember all her previous lessons. Like I said, it has taken us over 2 years for her to trust humans again. Now that she trusts us, I'm sure that next spring and summer her training will go much faster.
8 comments:
Nice muzzle shot..:-)
That nose needs a big smooch.
I gave her LOTS of pats and assurance. Gigo isn't a real affectionate horse. She is FINALLY learning to trust people. She especially loves my husband, but she is bonding now with me. It has taken 2 years.
Nice shot! I feel bad, about not being able to play with the horses but I hate the winter months and it is hard for me to take my butt out and play with them! It is blowing snow like crazy here and it is supposed to be a high of 6 tomorrow brrrrr!
Just beautiful, Cheryl!
And good for you that you had some good weather to get out with the horses. Must have been fun to see Gigo running with joy!
~Lisa
neat shadows on her face! Nice you got out to play over the weekend - we are buried in snow here!
Sounds like a great session. My mare spent her 4st four years on the range and had a lot of difficulty learning in the arena in the beginning...wondering if Gigi spends most of her life outside as well?
I don't get out much in the winter either. In fact, I feel pretty bad about that since they're right in my backyard. I mean, I feed them everyday and pet them a bit, but I don't get long, quality interaction every day. Life is too busy--and the ground is too hard! Your horses look GREAT!!!
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