FionaM12
Well-Known Member
Some of you will remember that I got Mollie, my aged but very nervous mare, three months ago. At the start, I had great difficulty getting her in from the field and it took some time (and a lot of frustration, even a few tears) to get over that.
I overcame that by catching her every day, regardless of whether I planned to ride. Sometimes I'd lead her in (which was the very hard bit!) and I might ride her, but more often just fuss her, feed her a few treats, maybe lead her round her new home and later take her back to the field. Other times I'd lead her down the field, through the gate, give her a tiny feed then turn her back out or just walk up to her in the field, give her a carrot and a cuddle and leave her.
Today, it was a carrot and cuddle day. For the very first time, she spotted me as I went through the gate and instead of just watching, ignoring me or ambling in the opposite direction she started walking down the field to meet me half way. And as she did so, she made a quiet, just audible whickering noise and I could see her nostrils fluttering.
I came home singing and wanted to tell someone.... It might not seem much, but it's a great feeling for me!
I overcame that by catching her every day, regardless of whether I planned to ride. Sometimes I'd lead her in (which was the very hard bit!) and I might ride her, but more often just fuss her, feed her a few treats, maybe lead her round her new home and later take her back to the field. Other times I'd lead her down the field, through the gate, give her a tiny feed then turn her back out or just walk up to her in the field, give her a carrot and a cuddle and leave her.
Today, it was a carrot and cuddle day. For the very first time, she spotted me as I went through the gate and instead of just watching, ignoring me or ambling in the opposite direction she started walking down the field to meet me half way. And as she did so, she made a quiet, just audible whickering noise and I could see her nostrils fluttering.
I came home singing and wanted to tell someone.... It might not seem much, but it's a great feeling for me!