My new horse, Sage, is still living with her trainer, Stefanie, at Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy in Guffey, Colorado. Seth and I have visited her a couple times, but it's a long drive, and this is a busy month. As much as I would like to see her again - and again and again - there just isn't room in my schedule.
Fortunately, Stefanie has been really good at sending updates.
Here's my girl, wearing a saddle for the first time.
No problem!
The caption for this photo read, all closed in and tied.
With every photo...
and every message...
I fall a little more in love.
Early on, I asked Stefanie if Sage liked being groomed. Stefanie started to answer, paused and said, "She doesn't get to have an opinion on that."
That sounds harsh, but I understand what she meant. Grooming is not an optional activity. Horses need to tolerate it.
But here's the thing: I love grooming. I love it so much, and I want need a partner who doesn't just tolerate it, but actively enjoys it.
Yesterday, Stefanie sent me this video clip of Sage sleeping peacefully while Taylor brushed her tail. Stefanie added, "She was up and was not happy when Taylor stopped."
Good girl, Sage. I think we're going to get along just fine!
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Oh, I know exactly what you mean when a horse only tolerates but doesn't like it.
ReplyDeleteMy girl was really afraid of being groomed or touched.
Now she enjoys it and asks for more.
I think you can do a lot with a horse if you do it with love and give the horse enough time to discover the beauty in it.
Sage will become your special grooming expert. I'm absolutely sure of it ;-)