So I went back out there on Sunday, a little later in the day. Dodge was in the herd. Looks like she had picked out her pecking order and is now in right with them. I am so relieved at that. I really am. I was afraid it would take her days to become friends with everybody.
In her moving into the herd, she got the shit kicked out of her. Put a big old gash on her hind leg. The barn owner went ahead and dressed it then wrapped it for me. How nice of her! She also washed her off and brushed the mats out of her hair! I was totally not expecting any of that!
Yesterday when I showed up the B.O. had said there was some issues with my horse. Which of course makes my heart just drop because I really do love this place. The B.O said she was being hard to catch and has bonded really strongly to another horse. The horse she has bonded to is moving in about 3 weeks and the B.O. is afraid that it's going to mess my horse up when she leaves. Dodge will get over it. Dodge is also playing games.
I was kinda pissed because the barn owner said she used the stud chain on her as a stud chain yesterday when Dodge was being hard to control. I do actually have a chained lead rope. The only reason I got it is because it was how the old owner controlled her and I wasn't sure about Dodge in the begining. I then found out Dodge doesn't require the chain so quit using it. Dodge is actually really afraid of it, among other things.
I let the BO know this info to which she didn't seem suprised. She said Dodge FREAKED when she was popped with the chain. I kindly asked her to not use the chain on her ever again and that I figured out a way to not use it and she probably could too. Dodge is an interesting horse. Hehe. I may get another lead rope and swap them so there is no stud chain at the barn. I don't really want Dodge to be scared of anything.
So I wanted to give her a bath yesterday but it actually turned into a catching session more than a bath session. When I walked out Dodge she ran from me. It turned into a cat and mouse game. I stayed super calm and just walked behind Dodge following her. Eventually she quit running from me, let me halter her, and then let me lead her. To which I just let her to a fence post, tied her, checked her hooves, walked her back to the herd, and then let her go. I wanted her to see that it's not bad being caught and I am not going to give up.
I sat on a log for about 5 minutes watching Dodge and then went to just go pet her. She ran and once again we're walking around. Eventually she calmed down and this time I only pet her and then I walked away from her. Rinse repeat. Eventually I rehaltered her and walked her down to the wash area. I put her in the wash pen and she was freaked out. I calmly ignored this and just brushed her. I then opened the gate, unhaltered her, and made her come out when I said she could.
Then we went over our touching game again. Where I wait a little bit and then walk back up to her just to pet her. The BO at this point had come back around and was amazed. She is not a stupid lady, she just has a different approach to horses than I do. That may be just because I've worked with Dodge alone for so long that I have a totally different approach to her than most other horse people have to their horses. Who knows. I don't want my horse to fear the BO and so we slowly worked the BO over to Dodge. While I was petting Dodge the BO came over and started petting her as well.
The whole evening went over very well. I'm going to go back out on Thursday for a repeat lesson. I'd go tonight but I think my husband would kill me. I am so happy I chose this place for Dodge. It's a much more natural horse setting than stalls and a little turn out. It's allowing Dodge to just be a horse with a herd of horse buddies.
Her hooves are also looking great! Their staying dry which is a big thing for me, it means that thrush will finally clear up. I would have picked them out yesterday but well, you read the post. Her wound from Sunday is doing well enough there is no bandage on it! Her rear legs are a little swollen but both have injuries to them from horse fights. They aren't warm though and the BO has been watching them closely. As long as Dodge isn't limping I'm happy.
Ok and onto funner stuff! I got her a new fly mask that should be in this week or early next week. The BO gave me a loaner to use until mine gets her. Mine is a PIRATE fly mask! I was going to post pictures today but have decided to wait until the pirate gets here. If she loses this mask she is getting cheapies from here on out. Though, for her first one, it has to be something funny!
I'm trying to decide the headstall issue. Do I want a bitless or do I want a bit? I' m totally on the fence about it. What I may do is go ahead and get her a snaffle bit on a cheapie nylon headstall. Then buy a nylon bitless and see which one she likes better and listens to the best. Then get the leather option in whichever works. This may be the smartest idea.
I'm also looking for pads. I want to spend some money here as I feel this is one of the most important peices of equipment. She is old and I want her to be comfortable if I'll be riding her old butt. Oh well, I seem to have typed a novel! Pics to come when the pirate comes in!
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