SB-after-Courage says "eh, we'll get there. I'm in no hurry."
Because as much as Zoëbird is a 180 from Courage in every possible way, she's also a living being. She's not a machine that mindlessly conforms.
 |
| plus she's wicked cute |
So yeah, I could pick a fight with her about how the wash rack is NOT SCARY and SHE WILL MIND and DAMMIT YOU WILL GET THE HOSE AGAIN.
But I don't.
Because Zoë is a kind, sweet, smart creature and if I just take my time and show her that the hose is fun and the wash rack is safe, and hey! We eat cookies when we stand here! Pretty soon, the wash rack is going to be a non-issue and I will have built her trust in me instead of tearing it down.
And conversely, she's been pretty patient with me. We had our first session with my trainer yesterday. My trainer ground drove her (hint: they did great) and then she had me do it. Zoë is actually trained to drive and has pulled a cart even. SB, on the other hand, has never driven anything without wheels (hint: skill really doesn't cross apply).
We went slow and I made a lot of mistakes, but Zoë was Zoë and it was a positive experience for everyone.
I'm having so much fun with Ms. Zoëbird. She is absolutely the kind of horse I need right now.
And because of Courage, I can be the kind of person she needs too.
PS: last night, we stood in the wash rack eating cookies and I sprayed off her front legs with the lead line completely slack.
Yay SB and ZB!!!!! 💜
ReplyDelete<3
DeleteI love this. You seem so much happier already. And she really is freaking adorable.
ReplyDeleteShe is just the cutest thing.
Deleteoh goodness this warms my heart. this is exactly what i hoped for for you.
ReplyDeleteAwww thanks.
Deleteermergherd. I am SO happy for you! This girl is such a doll. You are doing such a great job with her!!!
ReplyDeleteYeah, the hard ones are still great teachers. When I have to move on to another horse, I'm going to be light-years ahead in knowledge because of RedMare.
I learned so much from my difficult horses.
DeleteSmart girl :) I love mares except for when they're too smart and then play me for a fool
ReplyDeleteHahaha yeah I swore off mares after the last one, but I'm happy to make an exception for Zoë.
Delete<3 this! That trust building is so so so key, something I don't doubt you've gotten to learn in a big way with C. It's so hard for me to read about folks with new or young horses having to "get after them" bc they're new or young and are making the little mistakes that new or young horses make. Like you say tho, most of those little mistakes aren't an issue unless you make them one. Otherwise, they're just opportunities to get to better know each other and open up doors for communication.
ReplyDeleteHaha right? It's so much easier to just not be frustrated and take things slow. Everybody wins.
DeleteFirst off, love the blue browband on her so much.
ReplyDeleteSecond, she looks so cute and like she's gonna be a ton of fun!
Haha she looks good in everything and I want purple.
DeleteI know it's cliche to say everything happens for a reason, but it does, and I'm glad that Courage gave you the skill set you get to use now to create a wonderful relationship with Zoëbird 😀
ReplyDeleteMy life is sickeningly serendipitous. I've come to accept it.
DeleteThat's awesome! There are times to be assertive, not take bs, but there's no reason to pick a fight. That's a true trainer. Go SB!
ReplyDeleteIm also love the blue tiara.
Yeah there's a world of difference between not picking a fight and getting run over. :-)
DeleteI'm so happy for you <3
ReplyDelete<3
DeleteHappy happy happy 💗💗💗💗💗💗
ReplyDeleteHaha you're welcome for a return to your daily programming.
Delete<3 <3 She sounds like just the ticket.
ReplyDeleteI sure think so.
DeleteI always think how much we learn from each horse and how much better we then become for the next. SO happy for you both!
ReplyDeleteIt's such a huge learning curve, every single time.
DeleteGround driving is hard! I am not sure I do it correctly, we seem drink
ReplyDeleteYeah I definitely wanted trainer intervention/oversight for that part. Zoë was a total star but that's just a lot of stuff to try and keep straight.
Delete!
ReplyDeleteThat is a great attitude and will serve you well with her. Ground driving is fun...and hard! It's also super cool that she is broke to drive. I'd like to teach Emi.
ReplyDeleteOh I bet Emi would be so cute at driving!!
DeleteSounds like things are going swimmingly, congrats on your Zoebird!
ReplyDeleteI frequently struggle with where to draw the line between expecting behavior but not wanting to fight unnecessarily. It seems like a continuously changing target because sometimes Kachina can take pressure and sometimes she really can't. Good for you for finding the balance yourself.
Thanks!
DeleteYou are so right! Things take as long as they take and if you don't make a big deal out of stuff I find generally the ponies learn it's not a big deal either! Of course there's always a million exceptions right? Hahaha. She looks fab and so happy you're enjoying her!
ReplyDeleteMuch fun is had by all.
DeleteThe guy I had helping me with Carmen always said that you have to let a horse make a 'mistake' so that they learn. He said that he welcomes any try because the horse is trying to figure it out. She has no baggage so she will benefit from all that you have learned
ReplyDeleteShe's definitely a whole different horse.
DeleteShe sounds like a doll! I'm so happy for you :)
ReplyDeleteYay!!! I'm so so happy for you and all of the progress. I feel like sometimes that sort of small step (washrack with cookies) is the most rewarding
ReplyDeleteI realize it's all still new, but I'm having so much fun. :-)
DeleteI love this so much! Beautiful mindset.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Delete