Sunday....

OK... after a very "lovely" day of copious amounts of snow, I went out to feed this evening.  While I was watching everyone eat (and making sure that Serene wasn't chased off HER grain), I came to realize that the herd has become just that a HERD.  I was guarding Serene's bucket (she is older and the bottom of the herd).  Glad came up and just stood outside watching.  She wanted to chase Serene off, but she KNEW I wouldn't allow that.  Instead, she sniffed me, nuzzled me and just waited for me to pet her, talk to her, nuzzle her back.  Eventually Sienna came over to do the same.  SHE, however, is a bit more cheekly in her attitude.  That comes, of course, from being at such a young age.

I feel so very blessed to have been able to bring these two from starved beings into the world of a true herd. They have their spot, they have enough to eat, they are learning to trust me.... they are starting to accept the fact that I can, in fact, touch there wherever I choose.  They are learning that it isn't a BAD thing to have someone run their hands, a brush, or whatever, up and down their legs.  They are learning to give to pressure and move away when asked.  They are learning the give and take in the normal world of horse/human.  For that, I am incredibly bless and so very grateful.

I love my girls.  I will give my all for them.  I thank God that he brought them into my life.  They are filling such a void and need in my life right now.  I am looking forward to the day I can take Glad out on a ride.  I think she will be a very intelligent riding partner.

It's OFFICIAL!

Gladys and Sienna are now officially mine!  I signed the papers yesterday afternoon with the Humane Society. :-)  I hope to start up more seriously with their groundwork as soon as this nasty weather breaks.  Hard to do much in the mud and snow.  I will try to get some updated photos posted soon.  Sienna is now almost as tall as her mother, so she promises to be a taller horse.  I'm very excited about that.  :-)  Gladys has turned into a very stunning mare, in spite of (or possibly it adds to her charm) the torn ear.  She is slowly making progress in the trust department.  I was actually able to smack her on her butt yesterday with a rubber bucket without her threatening to kick me.  She has this strong desire to constantly chase Serene off her grain and someone has to guard Serene.

They will be moving to Florida with us as soon as we get our home sold and a place bought there.  I hope to keep up with occasional posts to the blog to let all know how they are doing.

Above is Gladys with Serene....  not sure why I want to take her photo.

Sienna just positive that there has to be more grain there on the ground.  :-)

Update

Another new day has arrived.  I have heard that the court date for Sienna's and Gladys's custody is finally coming next month.  They have really adapted to life on the farm here....  Sienna is such a pushy little girl, but continues to be extremely friendly.  Gladys has gotten more settled and less threatened when someone is around her.  I can now walk up behind her and touch her on her rump without her threatening to kick.  Such lovely ladies.

I hope to be able to get out soon and work with them more, as I am now retired and it will be warming up soon.  They both need ground work and I need to get myself more ingrained as the herd boss.  :-)

I'll try to get some updated photos loaded here soon.

Hasn't been a lot to report lately on Gladys and Sienna.  They are both healthy, happy horses right now.  To see them, you would have no idea that they were so starved and emaciated.  :-)  They both willingly come to me in the pasture, are easily haltered and lead well.  I had my trainer come on Sunday to help me get Gladys started with her training.  She worked on getting Glad to give to pressure on the halter, walking and watching body cues as to when to start and halt.  When she tries to barge through me, I am to circle her in a tight circle, or at times make her back.  She was also introduced to the lunging whip.  Just taking in over her body and getting her used to the feel of it rubbing over her body.  Gladys is a very intelligent mare.  You can tell she's constantly thinking about what you are asking her.  She is not going to be an "easy" mare to train and ride.  I'm thinking it will need to be a rider that absolutely is confident in their ability to ask and gain her trust and partnership.  SO, not too sure she's going to be the horse for Jerry.... :-(  But, that's OK...  I'll ride her. 

First work session

Holly came last night and helped me work with Glad & Sienna.  She actually first worked my TB, Buddy, getting him back into some semblance of a work ethic.    Before she left, she put a halter on Glad and just worked on getting her to give her hindquarters and getting her to move in a circle... this is in preparation for starting lounge work.  She did the same with Sienna and Holly was very complimentary about Sienna's intelligence and willingness.  Holly thinks that Sienna could possibly make 16 hands when she is full grown, and that she might be part TB... which is good news to me. 

Now I have some things to work on over the next few weeks with them both.  I hope to attempt to put a blanket and, possibly, a saddle on Glad this weekend.  I have no idea if she's been under saddle yet or not.  I am anxious to give this a try.  :-)

More later.

Wednesday musings

Glad and Sienna continue to gain weight and are looking quite posh.  They are now starting to get their winter woolies in and are quite fuzzy feeling right now.  My instructor will be coming out tonight to give me a riding lesson on my Buddy.  She will help me evaluate the amount of training that Glad may or may not have on her.  I will enlist her help at getting Glad started under saddle. 

Will post more about the evaluation tomorrow!