We had been playing this dance so to speak in the circular pen for about 20 minutes or so. Mary would step in front of my shoulder and I would change direction. She would look at my hip and it would send me more forward, then when she melted her body and looked at the ground, I melted mine to mirror hers and slowed my speed, licking and chewing each time I relaxed a bit more and understood Mary's movements. So far when I changed direction Mary would step forward, moving her body in front of my shoulder, but remaining the same distance from me. I would respond by turning away from her and into the fence to head the other way.
The next time it was different though, I was tracking right, at a relaxed trot, Mary slowly stepped back away from me as she stepped in front of my shoulder at the same time. By this point, I had grown accustomed to Mary remaining the same distance from me, so I felt my body drifting towards hers. Almost as if an invisible line connected us. I found myself moving in, away from the rail to to fill the space so that we remained the same distance apart. At the same time she had stepped a bit in front of my shoulder, so naturally my speed had slowed and I had prepared to change direction. But this time I found myself turning to face her, rather than turning away from her as I had been. I was very comfortable with this, it felt normal and made sense to me. She was on my right side and I was beginning to like her there.
But then a scary thing happened. In a split second Mary moved. She had been in my right eye and just as I was growing comfortable with her there and even moving in on my own free will to keep her there she disappeared! No longer was she in my right eye and before I had a chance to do anything, BAM she was there in my left eye! I was not nearly as comfortable having her there in my left, especially facing her like this and being away from the rail that I had been hugging so tight. I jetted off away from her, back to the perimeter of the pen, now tracking left as we had just changed direction. It was a bit unsettling at first, to have her appear out of nowhere in the vision of my left eye like that. It must of happened as I changed direction, must have been when I turned to face her. Yes, that was it, Mary had disappeared out of my right eye's vision and appeared in the vision of my left. It happened as I had changed my direction by turning in to face her. Whew, that was a lot to digest. I was happy to be back on the rail and was more relieved when Mary drifted her gaze back to the round pen floor and I softened my body and slowed my gaits as I dropped my head and licked and chewed. Sweet relief.
We were now tracking left and Mary again stepped away from me as she simultaneously stepped in front of my shoulder. I imagine she was hoping for the response she got from me when she was on my right side and I had magneted in towards the middle of the pen. But, no such luck for her. We were now tracking left and Mary was in my left eye, along with all those other two leggeds that were ingrained in my left eye's memory. As I said, we Mustangs never forget. I did change direction, but I turned into the rail and away from Mary to do so. What was really comforting though was this put Mary back in my right eye. Oh, how I was really starting to like her there! She once again stepped away from me as she also stepped in front of my shoulder. I remembered this move from before, I had enjoyed coming in off the rail to remain the same distance from Mary as she had stepped away. I was happy to do it again and I allowed my body to freely curve towards the center of the pen. As I was drifting towards Mary to keep our invisible line the same length I noticed she drifted even further away from me. As she did, I felt my body continue to draw closer, I really felt comfort in having her at this same distance from me and as she drew away I could not help but fill the space to keep us the same distance apart. Mary drifted all the way to the opposite side of the pen and I found myself facing her. My body was not exactly square and lined up with hers, but slightly cocked to the side. This way my right eye could take her in and my left knew nothing of it. I stood and watched as Mary stood quietly on the rail. She let her eyes drift to the floor and her body melted. I sighed and licked and chewed as I stood and watched her quietly. The relaxation my body and mind experienced was so satisfying. I just stood and savored the moment.
We stood there for at least a few minutes and I watched Mary the whole time. Then, out of nowhere, she moved! It startled me at first and my body rose ridged, but I did not flee this time, I watched. She slowly stepped to my right, staying the same distance from me, but moving parallel to me just a few feet. My gaze followed her and I felt my head and neck turn to face her. Again she stood still. Then she slowly stepped back to where she had been and I willingly followed her with my eyes and face, licking and chewing once again. She never stepped towards my left, which was a wise decision as I guarantee you I would have shot off as soon as she appeared in that eye, no she remained in my right eye and I was thankful for that.
She continued to walk a few steps over to my right and I continued to follow her with my eyes and face. She again would step back to her original spot and I would follow her back with my gaze. She did this for quite some time. After a while it even got a bit boring. I mean I know she's a two legged and all and typically I am very cautious as to what one of those is about to do. So I typically watch them intently, but I was becoming so at ease with her movements I began to feel it wasn't as necessary to follow her every move with my attention. So the next time she stepped to the side I did not follow her with my eyes, as a matter of fact I turned my face and looked at one of the horses beside me eating hay. As soon as I let my eyes wander I heard a sharp snap from Mary! I shot my head back around lining up my eyes with hers dead on. She was acting like the boss mare in my old herd did....I guess I'd better keep my attention on her.
Back in White Mountain, Wyoming my herd had a leader. She was an older mare and had been out in the wild all of her life. She was our "Boss Mare" The lay of the land was engraved in her mind and she had many experiences embedded in her memory. She was very intelligent and well educated. We all looked to her for guidance. She was highly respected among us all, even the herd Stallion, my sire. He even respected her and would move out of the way to allow her to pass if she so wished. We watched her at all times, each one of us always remained within eyesight of her. When we had grazed a certain area long enough that it's resources were depleted it was her, the Boss Mare that made the decision to move on. All she had to do was start moving, heading in the direction she felt we should go. We all would move along with her. It was as if this imaginary line connected us to her. We wanted to remain within this safe distance from her. When we were within that distance we knew we were safe.
As I stood at attention, watching Mary intently she slowly took another step laterally to my right. She went further this time than before. I tried to follow her with my eyes and face, but my head can only turn so far. I stood for a while like that, with my neck circled around to the side so that I could give Mary my full attention. Each time I tried to look away from her those sharp snaps started again and I would immediately look back at her once again with certainty. As long as I faced her there were no sharps snaps, only Mary. She would talk sometimes, it sounded like babbles and the words did not really matter nor make sense, but her tone did. I loved that it was rhythmical and soft. I found peace in it's consistency. The consistency of this sing songy voice, humming the same rhythm over and over again. I couldn't help but want to mirror that rhythm with my own. It was peaceful.
So after standing quite some time with my neck circled around to the side in order to follow Mary's gaze, I decided it would be easier to let my feet follow as well. So I slowly stepped to the side so that my body was aligned with Mary's as it had been before. Facing her once again, but careful not to let my left eye know. It was so comforting to watch Mary with my right eye, no need to mess things up by letting lefty in on it.
I could see Mary smile, she continued to babble in that rhythmic tone and I licked and chewed. I even dropped my hip to let my right leg rest. This was a safe place to be, I figured I might as well stay here a while.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Lindsay's Stories
I have began writing stories from Lindsay's perspective...or my best feeling of it anyway =) I have 7 so far and they are listed as "Notes" on Lindsay's FB page. The one for America's Favorite Trail Horse. Here is a direct link... https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lindsays-Faith-Mustang-for-Americas-Favorite-Trail-Horse/178750158831398
I thought I would add the stories here as well for those of you that might not see her Facebook page.
I will cut and paste them below.....
PART 1
I thought I'd fill you all in on a bit of my history. I was born on the range in White Mountain, Wyoming. Wyoming is a cold, cold place...many times my water source came from eating snow! It is wide open land, few wind blocks and trees. Check out this link http://www.pbase.com/bander/image/83387718 It shows Mustangs in my home land. These are very likely my kin. See the bay roan herd sire...Mary is certain he is my Daddy. The background is just amazing to see. This is where I lived, in the wild until I was coming a four year old. I was in foal and was herded up by the BLM to go to a holding facility and have my baby then be adopted. I had a bay filly later that year, she stayed by my side for a year and I nursed her and took care of her, teaching her everything I could about the communication of the horse. How to "speak" to her herd mates through body language, "Horse Speak" I learned so much living in the wild, running with my herd. I learned how to use my body to communicate by even the slightest move. I did my best to teach all of this to my daughter. When it became time for her to grow up and move away, she was adopted out to a home of her very own. I stayed behind, hoping to find a forever home myself. I was hauled to adoptions and each time my number came up, no one was interested. I am not sure why, but time and again I was turned down. It looked as if I was headed to long term holding where I would live out my days or possibly be sold cheap to no telling who and end up God knows where. Well, thankfully the Mustang Heritage Foundation started to first ever, Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover. It was a competition for unwanted Mustangs like me, all older every bit of 6 years old and still never touched by a human. I was one of 100 selected for adoption in the SEMM. The trainer that adopted me would have 100 days to develop a relationship and bond with me then we would go to TX to compete with my fellow Mustangs.
PART 2
Well, I was videoed, along with ~100 of my friends and our videos were posted on line for the adopters/trainers to view. Mary says she really was drawn to me from first glance, but she was certain with my color, solid confirmation and quiet disposition that I would be well out of her price range, she she drew her attention to other Mustangs. Well auction time rolled around and adopters were to call in to bid on the horse they wanted. Well, there were LOTS of adopters and the phone lines went crazy! Mary called in to bid on a horse before me and the line was busy for the longest time, she finally got through only to hear that her selected Mustang sold well over $1000...well over her price range. Luckily the man on the phone taking her bid was kind and let Mary stay on the line to hear the next few horses go through. She bid on a few more, again they sky rocketed in price. Mary was beginning to feel like she was never going to be able to afford a Mustang and my number rolled around. #34 Mary heard it and remembered really liking me, but she didn'y even try to bid this time, she was certain my price would jump like the rest. My bid climbed to $750..then it stuck...the man on the line said will you go $800?...She's staying at $750...will you go $800? Mary's heart jumped as she realized she needed to speak up, "BID" she said and the man on the phone said "$800" and it stuck. Sold to Mary Jordan lot #34 for $800! Mary was Thrilled! I was minding my business eating Alfalfa hay and wasn't to concerned then, but it wouldn't be long I would meet my new found friend and partner, Mary.
PART 3
So Mary was the winning bidder and apparently that meant I was headed to NC! Well, as I said I was raised in Wyoming, but was rounded up by the BLM and taken to Canon City, Colorado where I lived for 2 years in holding. I now needed to get to Miss to meet up with Mary so we could head home to NC. I was loaded in a big semi tractor trailer along with many of my friends and we headed East. It was a long ride, 22 hrs on the road. We were tired when we unloaded in MS, but we thankfully had a few days to rest and had plenty of water and hay to replenish our body and spirits. Well, Mary and her husband Mike were headed west as I was headed East! They arrived in Miss a few days after I did in the middle of the night. We were all sleeping as their trailer entered the pasture. When I saw Mary for the first time she was walking slowly looking in at all my friends with great curiosity. It was night time, but the moon was out and I could make out her silhouette. She was a small girl, short, only a hair over five feet and small framed. I sensed something familiar about her. Something I had felt before. Yes, I felt it, I knew it...she was with child. She was pregnant with a child of her own. Oh how I remembered those feelings. I take great pride in Motherhood and did everything in my power to raise my daughter well. I am thankful that the BLM allowed her to stay with me for so long and then helped find her a home. Most domestic horses have their babies taken away by at least 6 months, so having my daughter with me for a full year was wonderful. Had she been born in the wild she may have stayed at my side longer, but I would have likely become in foal yet again and given birth to a new foal while my yearling daughter was still nursing, that would have meant I had two babies nursing at once and would have likely gotten in foal yet again! Yes, being a Mother in the wild is quite the job...I am thankful the BLM let my daughter stay with me a year, but also thankful they found her a good home when she was ready....and kept all those wild stallions at bay! But I did love being a Mother and I just could sense this Mary was experiencing what I knew so well. I watched her exploring each of us, she was looking for me..... I began to realize that as she approached closer. It did not take her long and I heard her say, "Mike!, Mike I found her!..She is Awesome!...come See!" Well, Mike answered back that he wasn't sure they were supposed to be peeping in on the Mustangs, they might get in trouble, but after some coaxing by Mary he walked over. They did not come in the fence with me...they just watched me from the other side. Mary seemed in awe. She stared at me for quite some time. Many of the other Mustangs scurried about, afraid of her human frame walking around us, but I didn't scurry, I watched. I stared back at her, as she did me. I knew something was about to happen and I knew it involved all of us, it involved myself...the small girl that couldn't take her eyes of me...the man that seemed to be watching over us both...and the tiny sprinkle that was rapidly growing in the tummy of my soon to be partner and confidant. I wasn't sure what it would be, but I felt it would be something big.
PART 4
The next morning rolled around and just on the edge of day break there she was again. That small girl that had stared at me half the night was watching me as the sun came up over the horizon. My bay roan coat took on new colors as the sun peered through the trees on the horizon. It lite everything up in a blanket of soft glowing light. The dew began to dry and the other Mustangs rested quietly. They had grown accustomed to this girl as she had stood by their corral for so long the night before. Not long after the sun was up some other humans started to arrive. The other Mustangs started to move around as they saw the new humans approach. One human brought a pick up truck loaded with hay. Mary stood by my paddock as the other Mustangs were fed, she watched as the human tossed an entire bale in for me and the two mares by my side. One of the mares I was with was very dominant, she was the boss and that was ok. She was kind about it, it was just understood and as long as she was there she was in control. It was ok with me to let her be the boss, but the other mare...well that was a different story. She was kind of like that kid that wants to pick on you in school, but only does it when the teacher is not looking. And always seems to know how to pick on you, but yet not get in trouble for it. Well that mare was really getting on my last nerve. She kept pushing me away from my hay and with the top boss mare in the paddock with us, there was little I could do but stand back. So I did, I waited patiently to the side as the other two ate. I knew Mary wanted to toss some hay closer to me, she said she wanted to, but could not reach, but it was ok. I knew how to handle these situations, this sure was not the first time I had shared a meal, well waited my turn to share a meal.
As the sun grew higher in the sky folks started loading up Mustangs in trailers. They would back up their box trailer to a shoot type set up where the Mustang was herded into by a few humans with a plastic bag tied to the end of a stick. They would shake the bag loudly at the Mustangs as they approached the trailer. This made the outside of the trailer much scarier than the inside, so the Mustang would jump inside...Before long they came and got the boss mare out of my pen. Well, it dawned on me rather quickly that little miss aggravating "Pick on me" Bully of a mare that had been driving me crazy for days was now alone, just me and her...no boss mare anymore to tell us what to do. Well, I could not resist, I had to do it....I flattened my ears and charged after that bully of a mare. Ran her right into the fence I did! Didn't hurt her, but I want you to know I was the one eating hay after that and little Miss Bully stood her tail in the corner. She sure didn't try to bully me anymore after that!
Before long it was my turn to load up. The man walked in with the long stick with the bag tied on the end and walked behind me, quietly herding me into a shoot where I would find myself locked in for about 15 minutes. The Mustang ahead of me was not wanting to get on her trailer and was holding us all up, I bet you anything it was that little Miss Bully that had been picking on me all night...well, as I was waiting in the chutes I over-heard the humans talking. They were asking Mary if she had a halter for me. Apparently they put halters on some of us Mustangs while we are in the squeeze chutes and can not get away. Well, I heard Mary decline, she also asked if they'd leave my neck tag on...she said she thought it "Looked cool" Well, I chuckled to myself about that, but I was happy not to have any strangers grabbing at my face to put that halter thing on my head...before I knew it my gate swung open and I was sent through the chute towards my trailer. I did not miss a beat. I am no fool and after hauling from Wyoming to Colorado and Colorado to Miss, you do learn a thing or two about loading. I know the drill, they shake the little baggy at my rump and in I go.
I must admit, I was scared, before I always had other Mustangs with me. This time I was alone. I kept my head low, my body was tight and braced. I never whinnied or called to the other Mustangs. I knew there was nothing they could do. And even though I was afraid, I did have a good feeling about this small girl. She seemed kind and she sure seemed to like me...and that baby growing in her...it drew me to her. I knew how to be a Mother, I felt like this little human needed me...and maybe I needed her too. So with my tub of water, my soaked TC Safe Starch (from Triple Crown..Thank You Triple Crown Feed! The TC Safe Starch was perfect b/c it is fortified with added calories and nutrients onto long stem hay, which I was already used to eating...at that point I had no clue what concentrated grain was...sure do now though!) and my bedded up box stall off we went to the east coast. It was a journey no doubt...and it had just begun
PART 5
I watched through the slats of the trailer as we headed down the dirt road. I could see the holding pens grow smaller behind us. We soon were on the highway. It was loud, the roaring of the trucks remained steady as we drove. I was used to this part though, actually the bouncing of the trailer and roaring of the traffic was almost comforting. I had listened to it for 22 hours on the way here, it was familiar...familiar is comforting, even if familiar is frightening. I was alone this time. I hung my head low in the trailer and backed up so that my hip was pushed against the wall. I faced the rear gate, it made it easier when the truck & trailer stopped abruptly to shift my weight back, rather than fall forward. So with my back to the wall, braced securely I held my head low and rode.
They stopped every few hours and Mary would crack open my door to check on my water. She would dump out the old water and get me fresh, even when I had not drank any of it. It was nice to rest my legs every few hours, the vibrations of the trailer were tiring.
We must have driven at least 12 hours or more. At one point we stopped on the side of the highway, we were just barely out of the road and I listened as Mary and Mike talked. A tire had blown and Mike was changing it. It was a very busy area and tractor trailer trucks whizzed by me. They seemed even louder when we were sitting still. Mike must be pretty handy, because we were back on the highway pretty quickly. The vibrations began again and I braced for the last leg.
We finally arrived in NC in the middle of the night. It was pitch black dark and man was I tired. My legs felt like rubber and my ears rung from the constant noise. It was silent, finally silent. I heard Mary talking with Mike, she said she was afraid to let me off the trailer in the dark. Of course she knew I could see just fine, my equine eyes are superb in the dark, but she very well knew of her limitations as a two legged and that frightened her. She wanted to be certain my pen was secure for me and that there were no gaps between it and the horse trailer before I stepped off. She decided to let me stay on the trailer until day break. She replenished my water once again and brought my more hay (that tasty TC Safe Starch) I was so tired, it felt good just to be able to stand in the still quiet and rest my legs. I heard Mary open the dressing room trailer door and crawl up inside. She told me she was going to sleep up in the bed of the trailer so she could be close to me. She said she was afraid if she slept in the house she would sleep past day-break and she did not want me to have to stay in the trailer any longer than necessary. So both of us closed our eyes and quickly drifted off in the beautiful quiet the night offered.
The sun peaked up through the trees and I began to awake. I peered through the slats of the horse trailer in the fresh morning light and saw a brand new world. I was surrounded by horses! They were everywhere I could see. Oh how this excited me, I began to spin circles in the trailer, pawing after each circle or two. I rocked the trailer back and forth and before long Mary rounded the corner and peered in at me. She said, "So you are ready to get out of there huh? I would be too" She then backed the trailer up adjacent to the round pen. She pushed the panels up flush, so there was a clear path out, but no room for me to slip between the cracks. She then swung open the rear gate and stood off to the side, inviting me to step out on my own free will. I wasted no time, I briskly walked to the rear of the trailer and stepped down into the soft round pen floor. Once out of the trailer I walked more carefully. Taking slow, deliberate steps, gradually exploring my new surroundings. I smelled the ground, letting my nose drag the dirt as I walked circles in the sand. With in minutes I dropped to the ground and rolled. I rolled from one side to the other, oh how it felt so good to scratch my back and letl my muscles stretch. Mary watched from the rail and laughed. She told me, "You know my Granddaddy Burgess always said that a horse is worth another $100 dollars for every time she flips over when she rolls" Mary laughed as she said it and her eyes seem to brighten as she watched me roll. I thought to myself, that was a silly thing to say. Here we just meet and she is going to put a price on me, one determined by how many times I can roll over. Well, that's a two legged for ya. I have learned their thinking doesn't always make the most sense. But I have also learned that what Mary said was meant as a compliment to me. It wasn't that she really thought I was only worth $600 bucks for my 6 rolls over, she meant that it was a testament to me athletic ability that I could roll back and forth with such ease. She admired it, and she admired Me.
After I had satisfied myself by thoroughly embedding this new black Kelly dirt and sand deep in my coat I stepped back up on all fours and shook from head to toe. The dirt lifted in a cloud of smoke all around me and Mary laughed again. After a few more walks around the pen to smell the ground I laid down in the center and went to sleep. Mary said she was shocked to see me lay down and sleep so soon in such a strange place, but I am no fool. I am a Mustang, I didn't survive on my own in the wild all those years without learning something. When you are tired, you sleep, so I slept.
Later in the day, after my nap I spotted Mary walking towards me from across the field. It was a small comfort having her presence around. She was always quiet and spoke kindly to me. As she approached I saw something that frightened me greatly. There were 5 small critters surrounding her. They ranged in size from that of a prairie dog to one as big as a wolf! They scattered and bounced around Mary as she approached me. My eyes grew wide as they neared and I brought my head up high and let out a loud blow through my nostrils, a snort that would alert my fellow herd mates that danger was approaching. I watched intently as they approached and out of the corners of my eyes I took note of the surrounding horses reactions. Would they bolt in a flurry in fear of these strange creatures? There was stillness, silence as they all continued to munch on their hay, heads down and relaxed. I waited a moment and snorted, once again. Still nothing. These horses that surrounded me were either a bunch of fools and we were all about to get eaten or maybe they knew something I didn't. I hoped for the latter and relaxed a wee bit as they continued to draw closer. Mary walked all the way to the fence and leaned against. The critters continued to bounce around growling, barking and rolling atop one another. After a bit they quieted and started to lay down, scattered about Mary's feet. I began to relax, still not certain what these creatures were, but beginning to think maybe I had been wrong to blow such a loud alarm to the others. Not that it did any good anyway, they all pretty much ignored my clear warning of danger. Maybe they were right, maybe these other horses did know something I didn't. After a bit Mary walked off, I noticed her walk by one of the horses that was eating hay and run her hand down his side. He watched her quietly, following her with his ear, but never even lifted his head. It seemed so odd to me that a horse would allow a two legged to do such a thing. I would have shot away in an instant had she tried that number on me. Odd, it was very odd. But it was also peaceful, quiet, calm and peaceful. I dropped my head to eat some more of my hay.
Part 6
I liked that there were other horses all around me. They were in paddocks sprinkled about surrounding my round pen. There were even horses off in the distance, they seemed to be in larger pastures and it appeared green out there. Oh how I thought of the fun I would have eating all that grass. It looked like a never ending buffet. Back in Wyoming we would have to stay on the move all the time to find enough to eat. The forage was dry and rough, but it was all I knew back then and my body was used to it. We would walk for miles and when we found an area with grass to eat we would stop and keep our heads to the ground, grazing until it was gone. Then we would move on once again.
The horses in the paddocks around me were eating hay. Those critters that had followed Mary over to see me yesterday were still around. They were always around. They would scatter about the yard and sleep, stretched out on their sides in the sun. Mary told me they were called dogs and that they were kind to horses. I figured I had better keep an eye on them and make that decision for myself.
One of these so called harmless "dogs" came waddling all the way over to my pen. This one smelled differently than the others and looked a bit different as well. I backed off to the far side of the pen and watched her nudge her head into my water bucket. She was short, but very round. I would say as wide as she was tall. I thought of snorting as I had done before, but I decided against it. The other horses ignored me when I did it the first time anyway. I stayed as far away as I could though and watched intently.
She managed to get her head into my water trough and began to drink. She didn't look like she had a neck at all and she made odd "grunting" noises. I was certain this one was not a "dog". After she drank a bit she started tossing the water around, splashing it over the sides and onto the dirt. She kept on until my tub was dry and there was a puddle of mud in my pen instead. How rude and well, weird was that! She then started rolling around in the new puddle, scratching her side in the mud. I noticed that she never managed to flip over as I did when I rolled. I thought to myself that she must not be worth much in the eyes of the two leggeds, you've got to be able to flip over for every $100 bucks you are worth around here. After she got good and muddy, she stood back up. Her legs were only a few inches long and her belly just about drug the ground. She waddled away, looking rather silly with mud caked to only one side of her.
As the odd looking dog waddled off I saw Mary approach. She said, "Oh, so I see you've meet Samantha P". She informed me that Samantha P was not a dog after all, but a pot bellied Pig. The "P" in Samantha P is apparently for "Pig" How original, huh? I wondered to myself how many other strange critters I would meet in this new place. I was still very cautious of them, but so far they had seemed harmless. I wasn't about to let my guard down anytime soon though. I am no fool , I am a Mustang and I sure didn't survive in the wild of Wyoming all those years just assuming every new funny looking critter was harmless. I would make my own decisions regarding who I trusted around here. So far it was no one.
Part 7
Mary approached the gate to my pen. This time instead of leaning against it and watching me, she opened it and came inside. I watched her intently from the far side, wondering what would happen next. Any other time a two legged had approached me it was to push me away, to herd me to another location. Usually they would have a long stick in hand with a bag attached to the end. They would shake the bag towards my hip and I would take off away from them. They didn't hit me with it, didn't have to. I was more than willing to get out of the way of the scary noise and once I moved away from them they would stop shaking the bag.
Mary did not have a bag though, as a matter of fact she had nothing in her hands, but a soft rope coiled up in a small, loose bundle. Her hands just hung by her side relaxed and open. Once she closed the gate behind her she walked quietly to the middle of the pen. I drew back, as close to the paneled wall as I could get and watched her intently. From the center of the pen she looked at my hip and stepped a hair closer to me. I shot forward, away from her. The pen I was in was round, so instead of being able to shoot away entirely the rails sent me into a curve, a circle that surrounded Mary in the center. At first I ran, a hard canter, as fast as I could around the circular pen. Mary walked a small circle in the middle, she moved her body so that she remained behind my shoulder and towards my hip. After a few laps around I realized that Mary was remaining quiet and slowly walking her circle, but not approaching me any closer. She remained the same distance from me as I ran. Her gaze drifted away from my hip and down to the ground. I relaxed a bit and slowed to a forward extended trot. Mary dropped her head deeper as she gazed at the ground behind me. She continued to walk her small circle in order to remain behind my shoulder, but her energy become softer and softer as she let her arms hang limply at her sides and gazed down at the ground. I took a small comfort in her passive demeanor and I gradually slowed my gaits. I settled all the way to a relaxed trot, beginning to feel comfortable with her presence in the center of the pen. She was consistent, as long as I moved forward and followed the rail in the circle around her, she consistently moved to keep herself at the same place in relationship to my body. This consistency gave me a small comfort.
Just as I thought I had begun to figure out what to expect out of this new two-legged, she threw me for a loop! She steps forward, not closer to me, but parallel with me, until she was just in front of the point of my shoulder. It was only the difference in two steps forward, but I knew exactly what it meant. I immediately slammed on the brakes and wheeled around towards the fence, taking off in the opposite direction. I threw dirt in Mary's face as I began running quickly again, around the circled parameter. Again she walked her small circle in the center, staying behind my shoulder, remaining the same distance from my body as I ran. She then melted her body and sent her gaze to the round pen floor. The release my body felt as her pressure eased off me was immense and welcomed. I began to relax a bit and slow to a trot. I was now tracking right, which put Mary on my right side. I liked her there better than when she was on my left side as she was before. Because of this, I relaxed to a slower trot quicker this time. Not because we had done it before to the left, of course my right side did not recall that experience my left side had just had. No, I liked her better on the right side of me because I had few experiences in my past of two leggeds over there. Mary was new to me on my right side and so far she was making sense.
When I was rounded up in Wyoming and brought to Colorado to live I was freeze branded by a two legged. I was herded into a squeeze shoot and shut in tight so that I could not escape. The hair on the left side of my neck was shaved and a freeze brand was applied to my skin for a few seconds. It froze my hair follicles to the point that it would not grow back and I now have a permanent marking on the left of my neck. It is a way the two leggeds can keep track of me. There are so many Mustangs to be cared for. We are all given vaccinations and branded when we are herded up from the wild. It is for our own good, but just ask any screaming 6 month old 2 legged baby as they are getting their vaccines how much they like it! Shots are never fun and being branded isn't either. Honestly it wasn't the pain that frightened me so, the pain was not that bad. Shoot, compared to a hard kick from the boss mare when I accidentally invaded her space to much, compared to that it was nothing. But being trapped in the chute and having that two legged invade my space as they did, when before I had been expected to run away from them. Well, it just did not make sense, and what didn't make sense scared me. I did not realize it then, but those two leggeds back at the holding pens were only trying to help me. Vaccinating and branding me and my fellow herd mates was the best thing for us. I am very thankful to them that I never have had to experience any horrible illness that I would have, had I been left un-vaccinated. But it still did not lesson the trauma of the experience in having it done and as an intelligent Mustang, we never forget.
So, naturally, I was a bit more cautious of the two leggeds on my left side. That is where those experiences occurred. On my right side however I really had very few experiences with them. Other than moving away from the bag on the end of a stick I really had not been around them much. At the holding facilities we were in large herds and the two leggeds would come fill our feeders with Alfalfa hay, but they never tried to approach us or touch us as we intermingled together. So having Mary on my right wasn't so bad. She continued to walk her small circles to keep herself behind my shoulder and I continued to trot around the perimeter of the pen. As I began to settle she once again stepped forward, in front of my shoulder. Again, I whipped around into the rail changing direction yet again.
We continued this for quite some time. Mary would walk behind my shoulder and look at my hip. I would move forward and around the pen. Her walking, remaining behind my shoulder kept me moving forward. When I raced around quickly, she would then melt her body and gaze to the ground. The release of her pressure calmed me and I would slow a bit. Sometimes she would step in towards me and look at my hip again, this would send me forward faster as I felt her adding pressure to me. Then she would shift her eyes back to the ground and I would sigh and lick and chew as I slowed my speed. She continued to step in front of my shoulder to change my direction and I would spin around taking off the other way. We continued this and with each step I took I began to become a bit more confident in this two legged, Mary. As we moved around the pen things began to make sense to me, I understood what she was asking of me and it seemed she understood my reaction to her. I took great comfort in each time she backed her pressure off and allowed me to slow. I began to take comfort in the times she added pressure as well and I sped up. Rather than jetting off in fear, I would increase my speed, but remain more relaxed. Moving around this little pen was making sense to me.
When I was in Wyoming I ran by my Mother's side for an entire year. She watched over me, but she was firm. I respected her and I mirrored her actions. When we were grazing and the boss mare approached us, my mother and I would move out of the boss mare's way. It was understood amongst our herd that the boss mare was our leader and she never had to step out of our way, we always would step out of hers. I remember other times when my friends would run and play with me. Sometimes they would get carried away and get to close to my Mother where she was grazing. If they moved into her space she would shoot a forceful stare at them and step towards them to push them away. If they did not respect her request, she would spin around and kick out at them, kicking them hard if they did not move. It rarely took much and they got the hint. The next time the played near my Mother they were careful to respect her space, she was the boss mare to them and to me as well. I learned so much from her. I learned from all of my herd mates and tried to do my best to teach my daughter well too.
I found comfort in this two legged using the same communication that I used. It was all that I knew. Had she not used my language I would have had no idea what she way saying. Not knowing, being uncertain and confused scared me. I was thankful to begin to understand her, to communicate with her. I understood what she said and understanding gave me comfort.
I thought I would add the stories here as well for those of you that might not see her Facebook page.
I will cut and paste them below.....
PART 1
I thought I'd fill you all in on a bit of my history. I was born on the range in White Mountain, Wyoming. Wyoming is a cold, cold place...many times my water source came from eating snow! It is wide open land, few wind blocks and trees. Check out this link http://www.pbase.com/bander/image/83387718 It shows Mustangs in my home land. These are very likely my kin. See the bay roan herd sire...Mary is certain he is my Daddy. The background is just amazing to see. This is where I lived, in the wild until I was coming a four year old. I was in foal and was herded up by the BLM to go to a holding facility and have my baby then be adopted. I had a bay filly later that year, she stayed by my side for a year and I nursed her and took care of her, teaching her everything I could about the communication of the horse. How to "speak" to her herd mates through body language, "Horse Speak" I learned so much living in the wild, running with my herd. I learned how to use my body to communicate by even the slightest move. I did my best to teach all of this to my daughter. When it became time for her to grow up and move away, she was adopted out to a home of her very own. I stayed behind, hoping to find a forever home myself. I was hauled to adoptions and each time my number came up, no one was interested. I am not sure why, but time and again I was turned down. It looked as if I was headed to long term holding where I would live out my days or possibly be sold cheap to no telling who and end up God knows where. Well, thankfully the Mustang Heritage Foundation started to first ever, Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover. It was a competition for unwanted Mustangs like me, all older every bit of 6 years old and still never touched by a human. I was one of 100 selected for adoption in the SEMM. The trainer that adopted me would have 100 days to develop a relationship and bond with me then we would go to TX to compete with my fellow Mustangs.
PART 2
Well, I was videoed, along with ~100 of my friends and our videos were posted on line for the adopters/trainers to view. Mary says she really was drawn to me from first glance, but she was certain with my color, solid confirmation and quiet disposition that I would be well out of her price range, she she drew her attention to other Mustangs. Well auction time rolled around and adopters were to call in to bid on the horse they wanted. Well, there were LOTS of adopters and the phone lines went crazy! Mary called in to bid on a horse before me and the line was busy for the longest time, she finally got through only to hear that her selected Mustang sold well over $1000...well over her price range. Luckily the man on the phone taking her bid was kind and let Mary stay on the line to hear the next few horses go through. She bid on a few more, again they sky rocketed in price. Mary was beginning to feel like she was never going to be able to afford a Mustang and my number rolled around. #34 Mary heard it and remembered really liking me, but she didn'y even try to bid this time, she was certain my price would jump like the rest. My bid climbed to $750..then it stuck...the man on the line said will you go $800?...She's staying at $750...will you go $800? Mary's heart jumped as she realized she needed to speak up, "BID" she said and the man on the phone said "$800" and it stuck. Sold to Mary Jordan lot #34 for $800! Mary was Thrilled! I was minding my business eating Alfalfa hay and wasn't to concerned then, but it wouldn't be long I would meet my new found friend and partner, Mary.
PART 3
So Mary was the winning bidder and apparently that meant I was headed to NC! Well, as I said I was raised in Wyoming, but was rounded up by the BLM and taken to Canon City, Colorado where I lived for 2 years in holding. I now needed to get to Miss to meet up with Mary so we could head home to NC. I was loaded in a big semi tractor trailer along with many of my friends and we headed East. It was a long ride, 22 hrs on the road. We were tired when we unloaded in MS, but we thankfully had a few days to rest and had plenty of water and hay to replenish our body and spirits. Well, Mary and her husband Mike were headed west as I was headed East! They arrived in Miss a few days after I did in the middle of the night. We were all sleeping as their trailer entered the pasture. When I saw Mary for the first time she was walking slowly looking in at all my friends with great curiosity. It was night time, but the moon was out and I could make out her silhouette. She was a small girl, short, only a hair over five feet and small framed. I sensed something familiar about her. Something I had felt before. Yes, I felt it, I knew it...she was with child. She was pregnant with a child of her own. Oh how I remembered those feelings. I take great pride in Motherhood and did everything in my power to raise my daughter well. I am thankful that the BLM allowed her to stay with me for so long and then helped find her a home. Most domestic horses have their babies taken away by at least 6 months, so having my daughter with me for a full year was wonderful. Had she been born in the wild she may have stayed at my side longer, but I would have likely become in foal yet again and given birth to a new foal while my yearling daughter was still nursing, that would have meant I had two babies nursing at once and would have likely gotten in foal yet again! Yes, being a Mother in the wild is quite the job...I am thankful the BLM let my daughter stay with me a year, but also thankful they found her a good home when she was ready....and kept all those wild stallions at bay! But I did love being a Mother and I just could sense this Mary was experiencing what I knew so well. I watched her exploring each of us, she was looking for me..... I began to realize that as she approached closer. It did not take her long and I heard her say, "Mike!, Mike I found her!..She is Awesome!...come See!" Well, Mike answered back that he wasn't sure they were supposed to be peeping in on the Mustangs, they might get in trouble, but after some coaxing by Mary he walked over. They did not come in the fence with me...they just watched me from the other side. Mary seemed in awe. She stared at me for quite some time. Many of the other Mustangs scurried about, afraid of her human frame walking around us, but I didn't scurry, I watched. I stared back at her, as she did me. I knew something was about to happen and I knew it involved all of us, it involved myself...the small girl that couldn't take her eyes of me...the man that seemed to be watching over us both...and the tiny sprinkle that was rapidly growing in the tummy of my soon to be partner and confidant. I wasn't sure what it would be, but I felt it would be something big.
PART 4
The next morning rolled around and just on the edge of day break there she was again. That small girl that had stared at me half the night was watching me as the sun came up over the horizon. My bay roan coat took on new colors as the sun peered through the trees on the horizon. It lite everything up in a blanket of soft glowing light. The dew began to dry and the other Mustangs rested quietly. They had grown accustomed to this girl as she had stood by their corral for so long the night before. Not long after the sun was up some other humans started to arrive. The other Mustangs started to move around as they saw the new humans approach. One human brought a pick up truck loaded with hay. Mary stood by my paddock as the other Mustangs were fed, she watched as the human tossed an entire bale in for me and the two mares by my side. One of the mares I was with was very dominant, she was the boss and that was ok. She was kind about it, it was just understood and as long as she was there she was in control. It was ok with me to let her be the boss, but the other mare...well that was a different story. She was kind of like that kid that wants to pick on you in school, but only does it when the teacher is not looking. And always seems to know how to pick on you, but yet not get in trouble for it. Well that mare was really getting on my last nerve. She kept pushing me away from my hay and with the top boss mare in the paddock with us, there was little I could do but stand back. So I did, I waited patiently to the side as the other two ate. I knew Mary wanted to toss some hay closer to me, she said she wanted to, but could not reach, but it was ok. I knew how to handle these situations, this sure was not the first time I had shared a meal, well waited my turn to share a meal.
As the sun grew higher in the sky folks started loading up Mustangs in trailers. They would back up their box trailer to a shoot type set up where the Mustang was herded into by a few humans with a plastic bag tied to the end of a stick. They would shake the bag loudly at the Mustangs as they approached the trailer. This made the outside of the trailer much scarier than the inside, so the Mustang would jump inside...Before long they came and got the boss mare out of my pen. Well, it dawned on me rather quickly that little miss aggravating "Pick on me" Bully of a mare that had been driving me crazy for days was now alone, just me and her...no boss mare anymore to tell us what to do. Well, I could not resist, I had to do it....I flattened my ears and charged after that bully of a mare. Ran her right into the fence I did! Didn't hurt her, but I want you to know I was the one eating hay after that and little Miss Bully stood her tail in the corner. She sure didn't try to bully me anymore after that!
Before long it was my turn to load up. The man walked in with the long stick with the bag tied on the end and walked behind me, quietly herding me into a shoot where I would find myself locked in for about 15 minutes. The Mustang ahead of me was not wanting to get on her trailer and was holding us all up, I bet you anything it was that little Miss Bully that had been picking on me all night...well, as I was waiting in the chutes I over-heard the humans talking. They were asking Mary if she had a halter for me. Apparently they put halters on some of us Mustangs while we are in the squeeze chutes and can not get away. Well, I heard Mary decline, she also asked if they'd leave my neck tag on...she said she thought it "Looked cool" Well, I chuckled to myself about that, but I was happy not to have any strangers grabbing at my face to put that halter thing on my head...before I knew it my gate swung open and I was sent through the chute towards my trailer. I did not miss a beat. I am no fool and after hauling from Wyoming to Colorado and Colorado to Miss, you do learn a thing or two about loading. I know the drill, they shake the little baggy at my rump and in I go.
I must admit, I was scared, before I always had other Mustangs with me. This time I was alone. I kept my head low, my body was tight and braced. I never whinnied or called to the other Mustangs. I knew there was nothing they could do. And even though I was afraid, I did have a good feeling about this small girl. She seemed kind and she sure seemed to like me...and that baby growing in her...it drew me to her. I knew how to be a Mother, I felt like this little human needed me...and maybe I needed her too. So with my tub of water, my soaked TC Safe Starch (from Triple Crown..Thank You Triple Crown Feed! The TC Safe Starch was perfect b/c it is fortified with added calories and nutrients onto long stem hay, which I was already used to eating...at that point I had no clue what concentrated grain was...sure do now though!) and my bedded up box stall off we went to the east coast. It was a journey no doubt...and it had just begun
PART 5
I watched through the slats of the trailer as we headed down the dirt road. I could see the holding pens grow smaller behind us. We soon were on the highway. It was loud, the roaring of the trucks remained steady as we drove. I was used to this part though, actually the bouncing of the trailer and roaring of the traffic was almost comforting. I had listened to it for 22 hours on the way here, it was familiar...familiar is comforting, even if familiar is frightening. I was alone this time. I hung my head low in the trailer and backed up so that my hip was pushed against the wall. I faced the rear gate, it made it easier when the truck & trailer stopped abruptly to shift my weight back, rather than fall forward. So with my back to the wall, braced securely I held my head low and rode.
They stopped every few hours and Mary would crack open my door to check on my water. She would dump out the old water and get me fresh, even when I had not drank any of it. It was nice to rest my legs every few hours, the vibrations of the trailer were tiring.
We must have driven at least 12 hours or more. At one point we stopped on the side of the highway, we were just barely out of the road and I listened as Mary and Mike talked. A tire had blown and Mike was changing it. It was a very busy area and tractor trailer trucks whizzed by me. They seemed even louder when we were sitting still. Mike must be pretty handy, because we were back on the highway pretty quickly. The vibrations began again and I braced for the last leg.
We finally arrived in NC in the middle of the night. It was pitch black dark and man was I tired. My legs felt like rubber and my ears rung from the constant noise. It was silent, finally silent. I heard Mary talking with Mike, she said she was afraid to let me off the trailer in the dark. Of course she knew I could see just fine, my equine eyes are superb in the dark, but she very well knew of her limitations as a two legged and that frightened her. She wanted to be certain my pen was secure for me and that there were no gaps between it and the horse trailer before I stepped off. She decided to let me stay on the trailer until day break. She replenished my water once again and brought my more hay (that tasty TC Safe Starch) I was so tired, it felt good just to be able to stand in the still quiet and rest my legs. I heard Mary open the dressing room trailer door and crawl up inside. She told me she was going to sleep up in the bed of the trailer so she could be close to me. She said she was afraid if she slept in the house she would sleep past day-break and she did not want me to have to stay in the trailer any longer than necessary. So both of us closed our eyes and quickly drifted off in the beautiful quiet the night offered.
The sun peaked up through the trees and I began to awake. I peered through the slats of the horse trailer in the fresh morning light and saw a brand new world. I was surrounded by horses! They were everywhere I could see. Oh how this excited me, I began to spin circles in the trailer, pawing after each circle or two. I rocked the trailer back and forth and before long Mary rounded the corner and peered in at me. She said, "So you are ready to get out of there huh? I would be too" She then backed the trailer up adjacent to the round pen. She pushed the panels up flush, so there was a clear path out, but no room for me to slip between the cracks. She then swung open the rear gate and stood off to the side, inviting me to step out on my own free will. I wasted no time, I briskly walked to the rear of the trailer and stepped down into the soft round pen floor. Once out of the trailer I walked more carefully. Taking slow, deliberate steps, gradually exploring my new surroundings. I smelled the ground, letting my nose drag the dirt as I walked circles in the sand. With in minutes I dropped to the ground and rolled. I rolled from one side to the other, oh how it felt so good to scratch my back and letl my muscles stretch. Mary watched from the rail and laughed. She told me, "You know my Granddaddy Burgess always said that a horse is worth another $100 dollars for every time she flips over when she rolls" Mary laughed as she said it and her eyes seem to brighten as she watched me roll. I thought to myself, that was a silly thing to say. Here we just meet and she is going to put a price on me, one determined by how many times I can roll over. Well, that's a two legged for ya. I have learned their thinking doesn't always make the most sense. But I have also learned that what Mary said was meant as a compliment to me. It wasn't that she really thought I was only worth $600 bucks for my 6 rolls over, she meant that it was a testament to me athletic ability that I could roll back and forth with such ease. She admired it, and she admired Me.
After I had satisfied myself by thoroughly embedding this new black Kelly dirt and sand deep in my coat I stepped back up on all fours and shook from head to toe. The dirt lifted in a cloud of smoke all around me and Mary laughed again. After a few more walks around the pen to smell the ground I laid down in the center and went to sleep. Mary said she was shocked to see me lay down and sleep so soon in such a strange place, but I am no fool. I am a Mustang, I didn't survive on my own in the wild all those years without learning something. When you are tired, you sleep, so I slept.
Later in the day, after my nap I spotted Mary walking towards me from across the field. It was a small comfort having her presence around. She was always quiet and spoke kindly to me. As she approached I saw something that frightened me greatly. There were 5 small critters surrounding her. They ranged in size from that of a prairie dog to one as big as a wolf! They scattered and bounced around Mary as she approached me. My eyes grew wide as they neared and I brought my head up high and let out a loud blow through my nostrils, a snort that would alert my fellow herd mates that danger was approaching. I watched intently as they approached and out of the corners of my eyes I took note of the surrounding horses reactions. Would they bolt in a flurry in fear of these strange creatures? There was stillness, silence as they all continued to munch on their hay, heads down and relaxed. I waited a moment and snorted, once again. Still nothing. These horses that surrounded me were either a bunch of fools and we were all about to get eaten or maybe they knew something I didn't. I hoped for the latter and relaxed a wee bit as they continued to draw closer. Mary walked all the way to the fence and leaned against. The critters continued to bounce around growling, barking and rolling atop one another. After a bit they quieted and started to lay down, scattered about Mary's feet. I began to relax, still not certain what these creatures were, but beginning to think maybe I had been wrong to blow such a loud alarm to the others. Not that it did any good anyway, they all pretty much ignored my clear warning of danger. Maybe they were right, maybe these other horses did know something I didn't. After a bit Mary walked off, I noticed her walk by one of the horses that was eating hay and run her hand down his side. He watched her quietly, following her with his ear, but never even lifted his head. It seemed so odd to me that a horse would allow a two legged to do such a thing. I would have shot away in an instant had she tried that number on me. Odd, it was very odd. But it was also peaceful, quiet, calm and peaceful. I dropped my head to eat some more of my hay.
Part 6
I liked that there were other horses all around me. They were in paddocks sprinkled about surrounding my round pen. There were even horses off in the distance, they seemed to be in larger pastures and it appeared green out there. Oh how I thought of the fun I would have eating all that grass. It looked like a never ending buffet. Back in Wyoming we would have to stay on the move all the time to find enough to eat. The forage was dry and rough, but it was all I knew back then and my body was used to it. We would walk for miles and when we found an area with grass to eat we would stop and keep our heads to the ground, grazing until it was gone. Then we would move on once again.
The horses in the paddocks around me were eating hay. Those critters that had followed Mary over to see me yesterday were still around. They were always around. They would scatter about the yard and sleep, stretched out on their sides in the sun. Mary told me they were called dogs and that they were kind to horses. I figured I had better keep an eye on them and make that decision for myself.
One of these so called harmless "dogs" came waddling all the way over to my pen. This one smelled differently than the others and looked a bit different as well. I backed off to the far side of the pen and watched her nudge her head into my water bucket. She was short, but very round. I would say as wide as she was tall. I thought of snorting as I had done before, but I decided against it. The other horses ignored me when I did it the first time anyway. I stayed as far away as I could though and watched intently.
She managed to get her head into my water trough and began to drink. She didn't look like she had a neck at all and she made odd "grunting" noises. I was certain this one was not a "dog". After she drank a bit she started tossing the water around, splashing it over the sides and onto the dirt. She kept on until my tub was dry and there was a puddle of mud in my pen instead. How rude and well, weird was that! She then started rolling around in the new puddle, scratching her side in the mud. I noticed that she never managed to flip over as I did when I rolled. I thought to myself that she must not be worth much in the eyes of the two leggeds, you've got to be able to flip over for every $100 bucks you are worth around here. After she got good and muddy, she stood back up. Her legs were only a few inches long and her belly just about drug the ground. She waddled away, looking rather silly with mud caked to only one side of her.
As the odd looking dog waddled off I saw Mary approach. She said, "Oh, so I see you've meet Samantha P". She informed me that Samantha P was not a dog after all, but a pot bellied Pig. The "P" in Samantha P is apparently for "Pig" How original, huh? I wondered to myself how many other strange critters I would meet in this new place. I was still very cautious of them, but so far they had seemed harmless. I wasn't about to let my guard down anytime soon though. I am no fool , I am a Mustang and I sure didn't survive in the wild of Wyoming all those years just assuming every new funny looking critter was harmless. I would make my own decisions regarding who I trusted around here. So far it was no one.
Part 7
Mary approached the gate to my pen. This time instead of leaning against it and watching me, she opened it and came inside. I watched her intently from the far side, wondering what would happen next. Any other time a two legged had approached me it was to push me away, to herd me to another location. Usually they would have a long stick in hand with a bag attached to the end. They would shake the bag towards my hip and I would take off away from them. They didn't hit me with it, didn't have to. I was more than willing to get out of the way of the scary noise and once I moved away from them they would stop shaking the bag.
Mary did not have a bag though, as a matter of fact she had nothing in her hands, but a soft rope coiled up in a small, loose bundle. Her hands just hung by her side relaxed and open. Once she closed the gate behind her she walked quietly to the middle of the pen. I drew back, as close to the paneled wall as I could get and watched her intently. From the center of the pen she looked at my hip and stepped a hair closer to me. I shot forward, away from her. The pen I was in was round, so instead of being able to shoot away entirely the rails sent me into a curve, a circle that surrounded Mary in the center. At first I ran, a hard canter, as fast as I could around the circular pen. Mary walked a small circle in the middle, she moved her body so that she remained behind my shoulder and towards my hip. After a few laps around I realized that Mary was remaining quiet and slowly walking her circle, but not approaching me any closer. She remained the same distance from me as I ran. Her gaze drifted away from my hip and down to the ground. I relaxed a bit and slowed to a forward extended trot. Mary dropped her head deeper as she gazed at the ground behind me. She continued to walk her small circle in order to remain behind my shoulder, but her energy become softer and softer as she let her arms hang limply at her sides and gazed down at the ground. I took a small comfort in her passive demeanor and I gradually slowed my gaits. I settled all the way to a relaxed trot, beginning to feel comfortable with her presence in the center of the pen. She was consistent, as long as I moved forward and followed the rail in the circle around her, she consistently moved to keep herself at the same place in relationship to my body. This consistency gave me a small comfort.
Just as I thought I had begun to figure out what to expect out of this new two-legged, she threw me for a loop! She steps forward, not closer to me, but parallel with me, until she was just in front of the point of my shoulder. It was only the difference in two steps forward, but I knew exactly what it meant. I immediately slammed on the brakes and wheeled around towards the fence, taking off in the opposite direction. I threw dirt in Mary's face as I began running quickly again, around the circled parameter. Again she walked her small circle in the center, staying behind my shoulder, remaining the same distance from my body as I ran. She then melted her body and sent her gaze to the round pen floor. The release my body felt as her pressure eased off me was immense and welcomed. I began to relax a bit and slow to a trot. I was now tracking right, which put Mary on my right side. I liked her there better than when she was on my left side as she was before. Because of this, I relaxed to a slower trot quicker this time. Not because we had done it before to the left, of course my right side did not recall that experience my left side had just had. No, I liked her better on the right side of me because I had few experiences in my past of two leggeds over there. Mary was new to me on my right side and so far she was making sense.
When I was rounded up in Wyoming and brought to Colorado to live I was freeze branded by a two legged. I was herded into a squeeze shoot and shut in tight so that I could not escape. The hair on the left side of my neck was shaved and a freeze brand was applied to my skin for a few seconds. It froze my hair follicles to the point that it would not grow back and I now have a permanent marking on the left of my neck. It is a way the two leggeds can keep track of me. There are so many Mustangs to be cared for. We are all given vaccinations and branded when we are herded up from the wild. It is for our own good, but just ask any screaming 6 month old 2 legged baby as they are getting their vaccines how much they like it! Shots are never fun and being branded isn't either. Honestly it wasn't the pain that frightened me so, the pain was not that bad. Shoot, compared to a hard kick from the boss mare when I accidentally invaded her space to much, compared to that it was nothing. But being trapped in the chute and having that two legged invade my space as they did, when before I had been expected to run away from them. Well, it just did not make sense, and what didn't make sense scared me. I did not realize it then, but those two leggeds back at the holding pens were only trying to help me. Vaccinating and branding me and my fellow herd mates was the best thing for us. I am very thankful to them that I never have had to experience any horrible illness that I would have, had I been left un-vaccinated. But it still did not lesson the trauma of the experience in having it done and as an intelligent Mustang, we never forget.
So, naturally, I was a bit more cautious of the two leggeds on my left side. That is where those experiences occurred. On my right side however I really had very few experiences with them. Other than moving away from the bag on the end of a stick I really had not been around them much. At the holding facilities we were in large herds and the two leggeds would come fill our feeders with Alfalfa hay, but they never tried to approach us or touch us as we intermingled together. So having Mary on my right wasn't so bad. She continued to walk her small circles to keep herself behind my shoulder and I continued to trot around the perimeter of the pen. As I began to settle she once again stepped forward, in front of my shoulder. Again, I whipped around into the rail changing direction yet again.
We continued this for quite some time. Mary would walk behind my shoulder and look at my hip. I would move forward and around the pen. Her walking, remaining behind my shoulder kept me moving forward. When I raced around quickly, she would then melt her body and gaze to the ground. The release of her pressure calmed me and I would slow a bit. Sometimes she would step in towards me and look at my hip again, this would send me forward faster as I felt her adding pressure to me. Then she would shift her eyes back to the ground and I would sigh and lick and chew as I slowed my speed. She continued to step in front of my shoulder to change my direction and I would spin around taking off the other way. We continued this and with each step I took I began to become a bit more confident in this two legged, Mary. As we moved around the pen things began to make sense to me, I understood what she was asking of me and it seemed she understood my reaction to her. I took great comfort in each time she backed her pressure off and allowed me to slow. I began to take comfort in the times she added pressure as well and I sped up. Rather than jetting off in fear, I would increase my speed, but remain more relaxed. Moving around this little pen was making sense to me.
When I was in Wyoming I ran by my Mother's side for an entire year. She watched over me, but she was firm. I respected her and I mirrored her actions. When we were grazing and the boss mare approached us, my mother and I would move out of the boss mare's way. It was understood amongst our herd that the boss mare was our leader and she never had to step out of our way, we always would step out of hers. I remember other times when my friends would run and play with me. Sometimes they would get carried away and get to close to my Mother where she was grazing. If they moved into her space she would shoot a forceful stare at them and step towards them to push them away. If they did not respect her request, she would spin around and kick out at them, kicking them hard if they did not move. It rarely took much and they got the hint. The next time the played near my Mother they were careful to respect her space, she was the boss mare to them and to me as well. I learned so much from her. I learned from all of my herd mates and tried to do my best to teach my daughter well too.
I found comfort in this two legged using the same communication that I used. It was all that I knew. Had she not used my language I would have had no idea what she way saying. Not knowing, being uncertain and confused scared me. I was thankful to begin to understand her, to communicate with her. I understood what she said and understanding gave me comfort.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Feedback PLEASE =)
I really would like to do weekly clinics with our new Supreme Mustang. I have been debating on how to organize them, how often, location, fees etc etc... As most of you know horses are expensive and taking on a venture like this Mustang challenge is very costly. Building funds is a necessity...no $$$ trees out here, that is for sure ;)
Last year I had many folks interested in coming to see Lindsay during training, but it was difficult to have people just pop in and visit. We keep the farm locked up for our safety as well as our horse's safety, so just having folks drop by was not feasible. (I used to leave the farm open until we began to have visitors showing up, unannounced with empty horse trailers! ... The gate and lock came quickly thereafter!)...But I would love this year to work out a way that folks could come to the farm to see the new Mustang's progress. It would also be immensely helpful for the Mustang to earn his or her keep as well. So I am in the process of brainstorming ideas of how to best make this happen and I welcome your input.
One thought I have is hosting weekly Clinics here at our farm in Kelly, NC. They would consist of a lesson with me and the new Mustang, beginning in the beginning with the first human touch...all the way through to the last session before we head to Texas. They would be on a weekday...the same set day each week. It would be late enough in the afternoon to let things cool off as well as give folks time to get home from work. Say around 7:00 pm. I could also do a clinic on Sunday afternoons. Maybe 3 Sundays out of the month. So there would be ample opportunity for individuals to come out and see the process of gentling and training this new Mustang. I am thinking of having a small audit fee...Something reasonable, maybe $20 or so and could offer discounts for family's. I would need a way of tracking how many folks wanted to attend if I had it at my farm here at home. So I would need folks to sign up ahead of time. I would need to have a cut-off number if I did it here, probably no more than 20 people per clinic. If individuals knew in advance that they wanted to attend more clinics I could offer a discount for them.
Would you have interest in this? My thoughts are to start at the very beginning and continue throughout the entire process. There would sure be a lot to see going Wild to {hopefully..hehehe} Mild in only a few months =) Things from the very first human touch....to putting the halter on the first time..loading the first time (willingly) de-sensitizing, saddling, ground-driving, riding, turns on the forehand, backing, side-passing, spins, slides, lead changes, two-tracking, jumping, working cattle..crossing bridges..walking through curtains..navigating obstacles....there is so much for these horses to take in, yet they take it in so well....Lindsay's transition was surely amazing and I was thrilled to be able to share it on here, but it would be nice if a select number of participants could witness it this time around as well!
For those that could not attend in person, I thought of videoing each Clinic and offering DVD's at a small fee to interested individuals as well. They would be mailed out weekly in order to keep everyone up to speed.
I also could offer internet downloads of the videos. These would likely be edited a good bit and only show high-lights, but this would be another option.
This way anyone interested can have a more intimate view of this gentling process this time around!
Our farm is ~30 minutes from Wilmington, NC and 40 minutes from Elizabethtown, NC. The clinics would begin in May and run through Sept. Each session would be around an hour. My thoughts are $20 per person. Clinics offered one day each week and 3 Sundays out of the month.
Please email me at high.cotton.horse.farm@gmail.com if you would have any interest in attending something like this. I honestly would LOVE your input!!! Thank you so very much!
~Mary
Last year I had many folks interested in coming to see Lindsay during training, but it was difficult to have people just pop in and visit. We keep the farm locked up for our safety as well as our horse's safety, so just having folks drop by was not feasible. (I used to leave the farm open until we began to have visitors showing up, unannounced with empty horse trailers! ... The gate and lock came quickly thereafter!)...But I would love this year to work out a way that folks could come to the farm to see the new Mustang's progress. It would also be immensely helpful for the Mustang to earn his or her keep as well. So I am in the process of brainstorming ideas of how to best make this happen and I welcome your input.
One thought I have is hosting weekly Clinics here at our farm in Kelly, NC. They would consist of a lesson with me and the new Mustang, beginning in the beginning with the first human touch...all the way through to the last session before we head to Texas. They would be on a weekday...the same set day each week. It would be late enough in the afternoon to let things cool off as well as give folks time to get home from work. Say around 7:00 pm. I could also do a clinic on Sunday afternoons. Maybe 3 Sundays out of the month. So there would be ample opportunity for individuals to come out and see the process of gentling and training this new Mustang. I am thinking of having a small audit fee...Something reasonable, maybe $20 or so and could offer discounts for family's. I would need a way of tracking how many folks wanted to attend if I had it at my farm here at home. So I would need folks to sign up ahead of time. I would need to have a cut-off number if I did it here, probably no more than 20 people per clinic. If individuals knew in advance that they wanted to attend more clinics I could offer a discount for them.
Would you have interest in this? My thoughts are to start at the very beginning and continue throughout the entire process. There would sure be a lot to see going Wild to {hopefully..hehehe} Mild in only a few months =) Things from the very first human touch....to putting the halter on the first time..loading the first time (willingly) de-sensitizing, saddling, ground-driving, riding, turns on the forehand, backing, side-passing, spins, slides, lead changes, two-tracking, jumping, working cattle..crossing bridges..walking through curtains..navigating obstacles....there is so much for these horses to take in, yet they take it in so well....Lindsay's transition was surely amazing and I was thrilled to be able to share it on here, but it would be nice if a select number of participants could witness it this time around as well!
For those that could not attend in person, I thought of videoing each Clinic and offering DVD's at a small fee to interested individuals as well. They would be mailed out weekly in order to keep everyone up to speed.
I also could offer internet downloads of the videos. These would likely be edited a good bit and only show high-lights, but this would be another option.
This way anyone interested can have a more intimate view of this gentling process this time around!
Our farm is ~30 minutes from Wilmington, NC and 40 minutes from Elizabethtown, NC. The clinics would begin in May and run through Sept. Each session would be around an hour. My thoughts are $20 per person. Clinics offered one day each week and 3 Sundays out of the month.
Please email me at high.cotton.horse.farm@gmail.com if you would have any interest in attending something like this. I honestly would LOVE your input!!! Thank you so very much!
~Mary
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Wooly Wyoming Haircoat!
Well Miss Lindsay had her first ride today in quite some time. She has about 3 inches of hair coat and I think is ready for a Wyoming winter! It actually has been pretty cold here..dropping in the 20's every night, so I think she's been enjoying herself.
We just played around today..what fun to be back on her..especially to have something so exciting to prepare for. It brings me back to the days before the SEMM. We did some spins and some lead changes...soooo much fun. I am going to try and work on getting Lindsay's canter super collected. It just comes so natural for her to collect up, she is so uphill. I just think it would be so much fun to learn canter pirouettes with her. I really think she could do them easily, she is just built for it.
We practiced side passing up to scary stuff too. She is still cautious of things...she is no fool and doesn't just assume something is ok because I say so. But if I ask nicely she will muster the courage to approach just about anything...it almost makes it even more of an accomplishment for us than if she was just a bombproof horse that was not afraid of anything. She is quiet by nature, but very cautious...I guess that's how she made it in the Wild for so long. For her to overcome her fears time and again for me it is very special. They are real fears and she puts such faith in me to not steer her wrong. I really appreciate that in her.
We started working on learning to lay down today as well. She bows really well and the lay down comes from the bow. If I was to hobble her leg I know she would have laid down already, but there is no rush and honestly I'd like to see if we can do it without a hobble. I taught our Norwegian Fjord to lay down with no ropes, but of course he hasn't a fear in the world, that makes a big difference. She did come really close 3 times today. I mean all fours were buckled and she was right there...but hopped back up. I really feel if I ask a few more times she'll be there. It takes such trust for her to put herself in such a vulnerable position, I do not blame her for taking her time. It is coming though and it is going to be so exciting when she figures it out.
So we are back to riding pretty regular now. We are going through the ACTHA obstacles to try and be sure we are comfortable with them all before time for auditions. I am really enjoying having a new goal with her, she has so much to offer. Hopefully we will make it to filming and you can see her on TV. How neat would that be ?!?
Well, so long for now...Happy Trails to you =)
We just played around today..what fun to be back on her..especially to have something so exciting to prepare for. It brings me back to the days before the SEMM. We did some spins and some lead changes...soooo much fun. I am going to try and work on getting Lindsay's canter super collected. It just comes so natural for her to collect up, she is so uphill. I just think it would be so much fun to learn canter pirouettes with her. I really think she could do them easily, she is just built for it.
We practiced side passing up to scary stuff too. She is still cautious of things...she is no fool and doesn't just assume something is ok because I say so. But if I ask nicely she will muster the courage to approach just about anything...it almost makes it even more of an accomplishment for us than if she was just a bombproof horse that was not afraid of anything. She is quiet by nature, but very cautious...I guess that's how she made it in the Wild for so long. For her to overcome her fears time and again for me it is very special. They are real fears and she puts such faith in me to not steer her wrong. I really appreciate that in her.
We started working on learning to lay down today as well. She bows really well and the lay down comes from the bow. If I was to hobble her leg I know she would have laid down already, but there is no rush and honestly I'd like to see if we can do it without a hobble. I taught our Norwegian Fjord to lay down with no ropes, but of course he hasn't a fear in the world, that makes a big difference. She did come really close 3 times today. I mean all fours were buckled and she was right there...but hopped back up. I really feel if I ask a few more times she'll be there. It takes such trust for her to put herself in such a vulnerable position, I do not blame her for taking her time. It is coming though and it is going to be so exciting when she figures it out.
So we are back to riding pretty regular now. We are going through the ACTHA obstacles to try and be sure we are comfortable with them all before time for auditions. I am really enjoying having a new goal with her, she has so much to offer. Hopefully we will make it to filming and you can see her on TV. How neat would that be ?!?
Well, so long for now...Happy Trails to you =)
Friday, January 14, 2011
Reality TV Series "America's Favorite Trail Horse"
We are THRILLED to announce Lindsay's Faith and Mary Jordan and family have a new adventure ahead! We will audition for the new Reality TV Series put on by ACTHA for America's Favorite Trail Horse! It will be aired on RFD TV in at least 10 episodes and YOU the viewer will vote on your favorite!
The audition is in April and Filming will be in May. The timing could not be more perfect as we can pick up our Supreme Mustang from the MS holding facility on the way home from the filming in TX! We could not help but jump on board when we learned of the fabulous adventure!
So excited to have a New challenge for Lindsay. 2011 will be a wonderful year!
Please join us on Face book in Lindsay's next adventure by going to this link http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1299163981#!/pages/Lindsays-Faith-Mustang-for-Americas-Favorite-Trail-Horse/178750158831398
Also if you have the itch to try your hand at this audition as well, we encourage you to enter! It will be great fun....go to www.actha.us to enter..the more the merrier!
Happy Trails to you!
The audition is in April and Filming will be in May. The timing could not be more perfect as we can pick up our Supreme Mustang from the MS holding facility on the way home from the filming in TX! We could not help but jump on board when we learned of the fabulous adventure!
So excited to have a New challenge for Lindsay. 2011 will be a wonderful year!
Please join us on Face book in Lindsay's next adventure by going to this link http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1299163981#!/pages/Lindsays-Faith-Mustang-for-Americas-Favorite-Trail-Horse/178750158831398
Also if you have the itch to try your hand at this audition as well, we encourage you to enter! It will be great fun....go to www.actha.us to enter..the more the merrier!
Happy Trails to you!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Supreme Extreme 2011 is approaching!
Lindsay is doing fabulous these days. She competed in an ACTHA competition last November and won her division and a super nice Classic Equine saddle pad that she ever so kindly lets Rox borrow every now and then. Mike has been enjoying riding her as well and I was happy to see that she seems to enjoy his company as well as mine. It's been snowing here in the South this winter and I think she loves it. She has a hair coat every bit of 3 inches long!
Check out the new MHF site when you can. www.mustangheritagefoundation.org Lindsay is in 2 of the 3 rotating images up top! If it is not her when you first visit hit refresh or F5 a few times and you will see her. So honored and humbled to help represent these amazing horses!
We welcomed the birth of our healthy baby girl Oct 3rd, 2010 Filleigh Kay Jordan is every bit as perfect as we imagined. We are so excited to have her come along with us for this year's Supreme.
Speaking of the Supreme..the horses are on line for viewing! We have picked out our favorite and are saving our pennies in hopes of bringing her/him home. If you would like to make a small donation to help us bring this special Mustang to NC please visit our site www.highcottonhorsefarm.com and go to the Mustang page for a donate link. We promise to put it to good use....and I PROMISE if we get the Mustang we want you will be thrilled you helped make it happen! Just watching this horse gives me goosebumps.
We plan to offer weekly demos and clinics this year in hopes of giving the equine community more of an up close opportunity to see this gentling process unfold. A good reason to help us get this special Mustang...YOU will be able to see him/her in the flesh each week if you would like!
2011 is going to be an exciting one! We will keep you up to speed on our happenings! Happy trails to you until next time!
Updates have been made to www.highcottonhorsefarm.com if you'd like to check them out.
~mmj
Check out the new MHF site when you can. www.mustangheritagefoundation.org Lindsay is in 2 of the 3 rotating images up top! If it is not her when you first visit hit refresh or F5 a few times and you will see her. So honored and humbled to help represent these amazing horses!
We welcomed the birth of our healthy baby girl Oct 3rd, 2010 Filleigh Kay Jordan is every bit as perfect as we imagined. We are so excited to have her come along with us for this year's Supreme.
Speaking of the Supreme..the horses are on line for viewing! We have picked out our favorite and are saving our pennies in hopes of bringing her/him home. If you would like to make a small donation to help us bring this special Mustang to NC please visit our site www.highcottonhorsefarm.com and go to the Mustang page for a donate link. We promise to put it to good use....and I PROMISE if we get the Mustang we want you will be thrilled you helped make it happen! Just watching this horse gives me goosebumps.
We plan to offer weekly demos and clinics this year in hopes of giving the equine community more of an up close opportunity to see this gentling process unfold. A good reason to help us get this special Mustang...YOU will be able to see him/her in the flesh each week if you would like!
2011 is going to be an exciting one! We will keep you up to speed on our happenings! Happy trails to you until next time!
Updates have been made to www.highcottonhorsefarm.com if you'd like to check them out.
~mmj
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Videos...Pasture Time & Barrels
Well Lindsay is now turned out in her big green pasture. I am personally a nervous wreck when it comes to getting horses adjusted to hot-wire and as much as I wanted to get Lindsay turned out, I really dreaded that aspect of it. We have the hot-cote fencing, which I really do like, it is white coated electric fence so it's very visible, but still holds current. I started by putting a strand up in the round pen for her to test out...I feel like such an awful person when she walked right up to it out of the curiousity that we had both worked so hard to cultivate over the last 100 days...and got zapped! Ughhhh hated that...but she has to know what it is if she is going to be in the field, so life goes on. It didn't take much of a zap for her to decide that every type of fence must be hot...including the round pen! She was even nervous to walk through the gate at first...she has adjusted now though and is currently out in a 3 acre field surrounded by other horses in pastures beside her. I can tell she wants a buddy, I will work on that next...must do one thing at a time to try and keep things as safe as possible. It is so very nice to see her eating grass out in the field. I know she must enjoy it...I've never seen a horse crave grass like she does...I guess she was used to eating everything she could all day long out in WY to maintain enough calories.
I have still been riding her..not twice a day as before! lol ...but at least every other day. I am actually pregnant and honestly Lindsay is one of my best mounts to sit on! My body feels so much better when I ride, it's just what I am wired to do..no telling what would go on inside of me if I stopped...mentally and physically I'd be a wreck!...It's sure not for everyone..(riding while in foal )..it is a personal decision whether it is right for you, but I know without a shadow of a doubt it is right for me and I am so thankful to have Lindsay to help my mind and body stay in a good place during this 9 months of excitement!
We actually have started slow loping the barrel pattern and man is she a natural. Turning the barrels comes very, very easy to her. My husband, Mike, has not run barrels before, but I'm hoping maybe he and Lindsay will be a team in the future. Mike is so incredible to go with me to barrel races and is always so supportive...I think it would be really neat if he could participate too. Lindsay is so balanced and collected naturally, I think she will be a smooth running horse when she's finished. She may even end up being "Filleigh Kay's" ride too (that's our little girl currently swimming around in my belly :) I am so very thankful that with the Supreme we were able to adopt up front...I have all ideas I would not have been able to afford her had they auctioned them off after the 100 days....I even had folks coming up to me at the Supreme asking me how much I wanted for her..trying to buy her! Well, maybe the next one..sure can not keep them all, but thankful she's not going anywhere!
I posted a few videos from the Supreme on youtube ... here are some links to them ... you should be able to cut and paste them to view or visit www.youtube.com and our channel is highcottonhorsefarm, you can find them that way too.
Reining----->>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcrP9RznN-w
RailWork---->>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkSIxqh4xd4
Trail------->>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yc07LlcYpnM
Thanks again for everyone's support!
I have still been riding her..not twice a day as before! lol ...but at least every other day. I am actually pregnant and honestly Lindsay is one of my best mounts to sit on! My body feels so much better when I ride, it's just what I am wired to do..no telling what would go on inside of me if I stopped...mentally and physically I'd be a wreck!...It's sure not for everyone..(riding while in foal )..it is a personal decision whether it is right for you, but I know without a shadow of a doubt it is right for me and I am so thankful to have Lindsay to help my mind and body stay in a good place during this 9 months of excitement!
We actually have started slow loping the barrel pattern and man is she a natural. Turning the barrels comes very, very easy to her. My husband, Mike, has not run barrels before, but I'm hoping maybe he and Lindsay will be a team in the future. Mike is so incredible to go with me to barrel races and is always so supportive...I think it would be really neat if he could participate too. Lindsay is so balanced and collected naturally, I think she will be a smooth running horse when she's finished. She may even end up being "Filleigh Kay's" ride too (that's our little girl currently swimming around in my belly :) I am so very thankful that with the Supreme we were able to adopt up front...I have all ideas I would not have been able to afford her had they auctioned them off after the 100 days....I even had folks coming up to me at the Supreme asking me how much I wanted for her..trying to buy her! Well, maybe the next one..sure can not keep them all, but thankful she's not going anywhere!
I posted a few videos from the Supreme on youtube ... here are some links to them ... you should be able to cut and paste them to view or visit www.youtube.com and our channel is highcottonhorsefarm, you can find them that way too.
Reining----->>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcrP9RznN-w
RailWork---->>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkSIxqh4xd4
Trail------->>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yc07LlcYpnM
Thanks again for everyone's support!
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