First appointment of the day, a two year old semi-feral pony called Rose. Rose lives out on the Forest most of the time but is spending the this winter in. Her owner is keen for her to be handled more readily but is hampered by the fact that the pony is terrified of human contact since she was wrestled to the ground to be hot branded. We have set up a large pen under the trees in her field and she has been coming in for a feed every day. This morning the gates were closed behind her and her field companions given piles of hay just outside the pen. I then started work on touching her with the feather duster and in just one hour went from being able to touch her at her hindquarters to being able to touch her just behind her ears. At the moment she only offers her left hand side and her owner will have to go pretty slowly and steadily for the next few sessions.
Second Rosie of the day was Sally's who came out with me, Tracey, Indy and Bella.
Rosie thought it was unlikely that she could jump over the ditch stream which although narrow is in full flood now.
Bella showed her how....
Sally showed her how...
and then she showed us how!
Logs were no problem at all.
Nor bridges....
Or any other water after that...
...although she did make Sally go through the deep bits.
20th December....work continues with Rosie...
"All is going well. Had Rosie in the pen everyday.Yesterday I could even touch her bottom with my hand.
She was waiting for it, was brilliant !" AS
