Enter the ECOGOLD Weekly Challenge!

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Permalink Reply by Cat on July 6, 2009 at 10:07pm

Yesterday (the only sunny day of July so far!) I was out on a 1st-ever hack with my semi-sensible 1/2 Arab,1/2 Cdn Doobie and a friend from the barn. Both horses were being angels when out from a local farm came the biggest Doberman I've ever seen...barking his head off!! We continued to walk calmly (while my heart was beating anything but!) away. Hoping the dog had stopped, I looked back only to see it crossing the road towards us. My friend was ahead which gave her a safer distance so I just talked to Doobie as I watched his eyes and ears rolling back and forth. At no time did he get antsy but you could feel the potential spring being wound. Finally, we must have passed some invisible boundary as the dog returned home. Never have I been so proud of my Boy or so glad that he's learned to listen and trust me!!

Permalink Reply by Patti B on July 7, 2009 at 10:50am

I started working with a Miniature Horse at our SPCA that is very frightened of being handled to try and gain his trust. He is brave if you are on the other side of the stall door, but gets panicky when you are in the same space with him. He came in with severely overgrown hooves, so we are working a lot on that aspect of handling so future trimming won't be a bad experience. It is a different challenge every time we get new horses or other animals in that need our help - each one has their own set of issues to work with and the most rewarding part is finding the thing that works to turn them around!

Permalink Reply by Mikayla on July 7, 2009 at 1:44pm

Yesterday, I challenged myself with riding my unbroke filly outside of the arena for the first time. She is a large 3 yr old paint/draft cross. I've only ridden her about 10 times total. She's my first horse I've ever trained myself, and I'm still in high school.

I was thrilled to find that I didn't have any major problems with her, and I was able to lope her a little bit, even though I was worried that she may start bucking. I can't wait to rider her later today.

Permalink Reply by Sharon D on July 7, 2009 at 3:15pm

Yesterday I challenged myself to slowing Flin's trot. He is a french trotter so thinks theres only one speed to go and that is superspeed!!! We are getting there but it is hard work. He is by the end of a schooling session realising he can slow it down without anything grabbing him from behind!! He is also giving me a nicE contact and really starting to work from behind. His half brother won the Prix d'Amérique 2009 so got my work cut out slowing him down!!! Sharon & Flin.xxx

Permalink Reply by Barbara F. on July 10, 2009 at 12:35pm

This wasn't a challenge with my horse, but a way my horse helped me with some difficult and stressful life challenges this week...just strolling through the woods every day gave me the mental break I needed.

Permalink Reply by Patricia at ECOGOLD on July 12, 2009 at 10:39pm

Barbara Allen is the lucky winner of this week's ECOGOLD Weekly Challenge. She will receive one of ECOGOLD's Stabilizer halfpad. Congratulations!!!

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