HOW DID YOU CHALLENGE YOURSELF THIS WEEK? ENTER THE ECOGOLD WEEKLY CHALLENGE: WEEK #7!

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Permalink Reply by Lynn on August 18, 2009 at 8:57am

Each week I get more and more confident around my two rescue horses. I have never owned a horse before and it has taken some time for me to realize I am the boss. It has taken a year but I have finally conquered my fears around my thoroughbred that must have had pretty bad treatment as she really does not like humans. But my patience has been rewarded as she now follows me around like a puppy dog when I am in the paddock cleaning. The other day I took out a pair of scissors and trimmed her mane and tail and she just stood there. To all you horse people these simple tasks are nothing but when you are just new at owning horses it seem every little thing you do with them is an accomplishment. Each day as I move forward there is less fear and more confidence, It just takes a lot of time and patience to earn their respect and love. Once you have accomplished that there is nothing you can't do in time.

Permalink Reply by jay hughes on August 19, 2009 at 8:46am

... and we all fall down!

Permalink Reply by Barnmice Admin on August 21, 2009 at 10:32pm

Hi All, A reminder that this is the second last week to enter the ECOGOLD Challenge!

Permalink Reply by Ferrous on August 21, 2009 at 11:49pm

Lynn, it truly is rewarding when you earn the respect and affection of a horse. I have recently received the wonderful gift of the trust of my new horse. He now looks to me for confidence when we approach something scary or new... and he will trust me and follow me when I say that everything is OK. The first time that he nuzzled me, then sighed and moved on as soon as I encouraged him, was one of the best days of my life. This week we are introducing more new things... garbage bags, umbrellas, balls... and continuing to work on fly spray (actually a bottle of water) as he does still have moments when he thinks that I am mistaken about there being no monsters hiding in the spray bottle.

The fear that I overcame this week was whether or not I could handle him if he had a "silly" moment... particularly since I am recovering from an injury and so not very strong yet. I questioned how I should deal with him if he tries to run off or rear... and someone must have told my boy, because he gave me a 'learning opportunity'. I surprised myself by remaining calm, being firm, and getting him under control. His lesson for this week was patience... which means that he must calmly wait for me to turn him out, rather than prancing, dancing, calling and "popping up", or trying to run off with the lead trailing as soon as he hits the paddock gate.

With the scary weather that we had yesterday, and the damage that occurred across Ontario, I have also learned the importance of having a good emergency plan!

Permalink Reply by Issy Shanks on August 23, 2009 at 1:28am

Each time i get on a horse i think about that i can learn something new and i can do things, but i have to not be afrid of what can happen i have to have faith in myself a think ok i can do this and i am going to do this so lets try and get this done and learn how to sit up straight of ride or even jump. you have to have faith in yourself and belive that you can do it. you have to try not do a half harded gob. And in the end i was able to sit up and let the horse run and walk. I learnt to trust my horse. i learnt to have fun but also get the work done.