google4061d021f6e2e028.html
The last two nights have been the first few I really worked with Jean-Luc. For anyone who thought this would be some sort of dreamy unicorn experience – you are wrong. I knew this experience would not be easy, but there have been a handful of moments already have me wondering, “What the hell have I got myself into?” That said, there were several lessons from last night I learned, and intend on building upon today. The first lesson: Baby steps. Like any new born, before you can walk, you must crawl, and before you can crawl you have to spend some serious time wiggling around on the ground – that’s the stage Mr. Jean-Luc and I are in – flailing like a newborn all over. Yesterday, he honestly freaked me out. His need to be near the herd is a little intense at times. I put him in the barn and before I knew it he was squealing and carrying on. He even managed to untie himself and take off through the field. Luckily, my forever chill and trust friend, Liz, was walking around on her mare Q, but still, I felt a little embarrassed that I was not able to take control. After grabbing Jean-Luc, I tossed him in the round pin outside to just run some energy out of him. BM caught me backing away from him and quickly told Liz to correct me from doing that. “You keep that up,” Liz warned, “and he’ll learn he can run you over.” To be clear, the thought of being trampled by a 1,200 pound hoof-laden creature sounded absolutely terrifying – strike two for the confidence today. The rest of the evening went better though. Liz reminded me that Jean-Luc had only been at his new home four days and this was only our second day of working together. She suggested we just walk around together. Before leaving Liz showed us how to play our own version of the childhood game “Red Light / Green Light”. Playing this game will greatly contribute to Jean-Luc and me to find success together. In my opinion, nothing is more intimidating that a horse with no breaks. Playing this game allowed us to learn more about each other in a productive manor. When I finished around 7:30 PM I turned Jean-Luc into the field. Talk about lazy, rather than running around to be with the other horses he acted like he wanted to jump the fence. The result was something I did not want to do but I also did not trust him to not hurt himself, so I chased him away from the gate with a swinging lead rope. I left the barn feeling more than defeated, and yet again wondering, "What on earth have I got myself into!?" However, today is a new day. Even though it's dumping the rain outside, let's see what wonderful behavior I am greeted with this time, eh? I keep wondering if the bond will really come? I mean, I'm the person that took this guy away from a privileged life to encourage constant work. Then, I am also reminding myself, that like most things, he has a purpose now. Going to work is a good thing. Using your brain is a good thing. Jean-Luc is not a unicorn, but he is mine.
2 Comments
I think you becoming his owner makes him super lucky. Sure you've got learning to do, but he does, too, and learning together is the best when you're going about it slow and steady as you are! He wants a job as you've observed, so it's awesome that he can be challenged and enjoy many jobs with you. <3
Reply
lytha
6/17/2017 04:54:04 am
I've seen professionals make the mistake of yielding their space by backing up, without realizing they are doing it!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorMy name is Chelsey. HorseGenerator's Cuevo Gold, or as he's known around this barn, "Jean-Luc Ponycard", was foaled in 2004 from Generator's Hurricane & Cheyenne's Little Bit. Top 10 Blog Favs.Archives
January 2019
Categories
All
|