Day 15: The list...

Ike is now capable of
*being approached any time of day with or without halter/lead rope/ carrot stick
* being haltered (came with an understanding)
* being led (came with an understanding)
* being tied (only doing this brief periods as he didn't exhibit a great understanding of this concept initially, will progressively increase the time span)
* being ponied or walked from a vehicle.
* standing (asking for a patient halt, so he doesn't get fidgety when he's asked to stop on a ride later on down the road)
* not grass diving, which he was doing initially!
* moves forequarters or hindquarters away from pressure or rhythmic pressure
* can be sent to the left or right
* can disengage his hind end from either left or right side
* can back
* can "smile"
* can pick up any foot he's asked with the tap of a carrot stick
* can pick up the pace of his gait with a forward send and tapping of the withers
* can touch him with unfamiliar objects all over
* can ask him to laterally flex both directions equally well.
* can make odd noises or movements beside him without him being fearful
* can ask him to lower his head
* beginning sideways game
* can walk him in traffic with him being calm

I think he's going to transition to riding really well when the time comes. For now, its just repetition and refinement. Looking to lay a solid foundation, so we can have a ton of fun safely together. :)
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Day 14: Stepped in a baby pool

We hung out, did some porcupine, drive, started sideways, got some smiles, brushed him, asked him to walk on a wooden gate on the floor and step in a baby pool which he's reluctant to do. Want him calmly entrusting me to put his feet anywhere and know he'll be safe.


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Day 13: Eating/ resting

Today I sat with Ike, Ross & Phoebe while they ate hay. (Amocean is in the original holding pen along with goats Marvin and Ivan who can walk to either area.) No pressure. Leaned/rested on Ike while he stood with a cocked rear leg. Just enjoyed some sun in the cooler morning that unfortunately come with winter territory.

Afternoon walk of about 3 miles. Ike was Introduced to a Car honk today. (Twice actually) responded perfectly. Didn't misstep in the slightest. Walked him from the passenger side while Ron drove for a little way. He did perfect. :) cleaned all 4 feet today... Took down the center section of fence dividing the two areas, so they have a much larger temporary holding pen. (We're awaiting grass to take better root)


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Day 12: YESTERDAY- didn't post- laid down

He laid down and I approached to see if he'd let me. He stayed down when I pet him, used him as a pillow for my head and straddled him while he was on the ground. I squatted down to get in a riding position but let my feet support my weight. He did perfect. Obviously comfortable with my presence. :D. Also, I had to leave to look at a horse for someone and in that time...he either cleared a 4 ft fence or walked under a Hotwire and crossed a lower one while it was off. I'm gonna check his back/ legs out to see if he has any tell-tale signs if what was done. It was too dark last night. Thankfully he just put himself in another holding pen. The rest of the property has 5' fencing. He was perfect with me coming in a new area at night and approaching him. It's funny how fearful he was the first night that was done. Glad I've done it several times since. :)


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Day 11: 1st time being ponied

Well, we've officially done it. I rode Amocean with Ike being ponied just over 3 miles. We went past Ron's work, stepped over the low rails that guard a car lot, did circles either direction, walked by fenced barking dogs, over a bridge, by a loose barking/charging dog, by highway traffic, through 2 intersections, AND he's moving his feet with a tap for the beginning of "park-out" and moving those lips for "smile". Such a clever boy. :)


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Day 10: bowing without lifting foot

Yesterday a cold front came in that had me go from a tank top and jeans to a sweater and jacket in the same day. Unfortunately today the weather was still chilly. I had grooms in McKinney, so only fed everyone and had a very short session with Ike today. On the bright side, with the last bit of carrots I had... We got a few bows without even touching a foot. He isn't folding a leg and coming down on the knee, but he's bringing his head down and back in a calm fashion. (And looking for what to do with those feet.) :). He's got the target down pretty well. (Still improving)

Going to teach him;

* give me a kiss
* give me a hug
* smile
* lay down
* stand



Those are the goals for now. The more I have him learning/ understanding... The more willing he'll be to look for what's being asked in the future. :). I won't overwhelm him with everything at once.


Picture is an online image of a trick horse (not mine) just to show what Ike is doing.


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Day 9: 4way walk

Ron with Amocean, and Ike and myself took a walk today to show Ike with Amocean as an incredibly awesome example of how a horse should handle "monsters". Ike wasn't perfect (not do I expect him to be) but he did much better with the fenced dogs and the bush lined fence today. Walked past several barking dogs at a distance and Ike received them well. Good with dumpsters even when their lids are open and dropped. Ron threw a rock at one to make a sudden sound and Ike walked right on like a seasoned little man. :). We crossed a second bridge today and walked between two lattice walls on either side of us. (No problem)


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Day 8: YESTERDAY- officially one week

We played some games , worked on strengthening our disengaging HQs. Walked on halter in the pen working on keeping his head with me not behind nor too far forward. Asked him to back up, walked to him in the dark. He's velvety soft and sooooo awesome. :) ran down his feet (didn't lift any) touched ears and hair in ears that sticks out. Brushed him all over with no tie. Playing with the concept of ground tying. Just dropping rope and if he moves putting him back in the spot he was originally standing. Did some baby runs towards his side and stopped just to get him confident about that sort of action. In the future, I'll use it as a mounting method. :) he's doing really well.
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Day 7:YESTERDAY didn't post.

Went on an almost 3 mile walk and were confronted by 3 scary monsters.

1. A bush lined fence housing several sizes loud dogs jumping and barking making the bushes shake

2. A giant flag flapping in the wind

3.2 stir crazy horses running at the fence when we passed.

Ike got put in a harness for the first time today. (Didn't do anything other than walk around in it)

Did fine with being approached in the dark again.



Ponies are calling! :)


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Day 6: Ike's first day bowing

We also took our 7th trip out today... Walked further down past a road we normally turn at. He walked calmly when a mail truck came by us from both directions. Doing excellent with fast vehicles coming from behind. He tries to turn his head to look at them but anxiety doesn't show in his feet. Doing really well in grass. I purposely walk him in it so he realizes being in grass doesn't mean park and graze. He is approaching when I walk in and always comes to the gate when I walk out. I really hope he keeps his little charm. I'm really happy with him and his progress. :)




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Day 6: Making the halter a good thing

I'm putting the halter on Ike and walking away to muck. The reason is two fold. One its making it routine when he approaches me and 2... It's letting him associate it with good things not just training. :) Today is the first morning I asked him to stand tied while I put hay in. The reason being he runs the minis around an I don't want that habit, so I'm showing him the more quickly he drops his head and lowers his energy level, the faster he gets to eat food. I worked with him on approaching the fence first and dropping his head as he wanted to back and paw the ground. I lowered my head and he lowered his in turn. After 3 times of asking for that and him delivering...I walked him to a pile of hay. If he even thought of upping the pace..we circled instead of walking in a straight line. Also, if that rope falls from his back..it's nothing scary to him and should he step on it...he learns how to get the release without being fearful and without it hurting his mouth. (He's not left unsupervised with it)




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Day 5: Night visit...

This is the second time I've walked out in the horse pen (they're in a temporary holding pen as we're waiting for roughly 60 pallets of sod to take better root) Ike didn't even softly snort at my figure in the dark. I even did jumping jacks less than 3 feet from him. I want him UbEr confident. :) I was really glad he wasn't afraid. It makes me feel I'm doing something right with him. :)
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Day 5: 1st bridge and dumpster

Today we took a walk in the opposite direction than we have in the past. That meant a higher head, some soft snorting, and a lot of head swiveling to look at everything. I had him approach a dumpster and opened and dropped the lid for him to become accustomed to the sound without being frightened. He calmed down about the sound as we did it both walking out and on our return. We walked all the way down to his first high bridge which we walked back and forth on several times and I had him sniff the guard rail in several places it wore graffiti. (So painted surfaces aren't scary)Today was the first day I asked him to walk out both left and right and circled him when he dropped his head if we were standing asking him to wait before walking out again. I want him to be patient so if he has to work when he moves then he'll learn standing is the easier option for him. He gets to choose. I just help him make the better choice the easier choice. :).
We also said hi to the cowies again so they aren't any reason for him to get nervous. He's gonna become one confident little guy! :) Ron jogged past us both directions which he didn't like at all, so we'll just do it more so its not something he's uncomfortable with. Gotta love desensitization!








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Day 4: 1st mile walk complete

After 3 mini test walks each one slightly longer than the last yesterday.. The first one began with front yard exploration and was about .2 miles in length . The second one we doubled that and the third was probably about half a mile. Today, Ike and I officially completed our first mile walk out together. He's doing much better at not diving for grass as I'm getting after his withers with the end of the lead rope when he does. It's cute in that his facial expression says mmm.. And his attention goes towards whatever clutch of grass is tempting him and then he pops his head up... Like "wait! That's not worth it" super awesome for such a young and new to me guy. :). Also, much MUCH calmer about faster louder cars/trucks. Walked by fenced barking dogs today which he wanted to run past with fear, so we turned around and did it again. Even in the second pass, he just walked by, but we still turned and did it a few times so it wasn't a big deal. Crossing EVERYTHING he's asked. (Logs, rock piles, ditches, up and down hills, cracks on the road, pavement changes, had him walk between a fence and a tarped car with only enough room for me to lead and him to follow single file. Walked by lots of bushes ad dense tree lines which he's not yet comfortable with (will be!) and visited the laying cows again today to make them a casual aspect in a walk. Had him carry my sweater on his back as I got hot. Did perfect. I can ask him to touch/smell big metal boxes, trailers, tarped cars, mailboxes, signs, fire hydrants, barrels, trash bins, vines plants on fence lines. (Everything he snorts at or looks at with a cocked head and body language that suggests he's unsure) He's gonna be super exposed by the time he's ready to actually ride. :)
(Photos taken on the 5th walk out in the afternoon with my awesome boyfriend as the photographer. ) :)












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Day 3: 3 games down. :)

Obviously, they aren't really strongly ingrained, but there's definitely some understanding. He's been introduced to the friendly game, porcupine game, and yoyo game. I think I'll just play these for a week or so and let him get them down more solidly, then introduce more. I have a bag tied on the fence to desensitize him to the random movement/sound. Played friendly game touching ears, nostrils, under tail, between back legs, sheath, and lips today. ( started lightly swinging carrot stick and slapping ground softly) just walking through paddock and then with him on line. He's the most active of everyone. I'm trying to spend a lot of undemanding time with him so he feels comfort in my presence, since I'm also asking more of him than anyone in his past has. He's already comfortable with me mucking anywhere I want while he calmly goes about his business.
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Day 3: 3 walks today...

Ron walked with Ike and I the last time. He's accepting bags on the end of a carrot stick, calming about being walked out even with Amocean calling. He's crossing ditches and being corrected for grass diving. Maybe tomorrow, I'll take him for a ride being ponied by Amocean. MAYBE (if its warm)




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Day 3: Iklean meets cattle

We went for our first 2 walks today... By yard art, statues, logs, stacked pallets, drains, ditches, on the road, by cars, over rocks, and by cattle. The cattle did spook him initially.
We did friendly game, picked up feet today and set them down. (He pulled one hind one away) I picked it back up and set it down myself. Touched him all over with a plastic bag, a rake, and a flat stone. Am asking for porcupine and yoyo, though I need a different halter and to use my yacht rope instead of the one I was using.




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Day 2: First training session. :)

Yesterday, I walked Ike on a lead just to have him calmly accepting me leading him. Several times I carried the halter without putting it on him so he didn't run simply for me carrying a halter/lead/carrot-stick. Today I asked him to walk (stay beside me), stop, back, stand, accept all of his body being touched and all 4 feet having me run hands down them. I'm not asking him to lift any feet as I want him comfortable with my hands on all of him before asking for that. I did ask him to move his hind quarters away from pressure after playing the friendly game with him. He was calm about the rope everywhere on him and hasn't acted up for any training thus far even though its super easy stuff right now. He moved on phase 2 with contact on both sides after a couple of times going through to phase 4. Ate dinner with both minis and Amocean without running anyone off while I was out there this evening. I'm so sad it's wintertime! I wish the upcoming days were all warm and beautiful so I can enjoy "playing" with him. Come next spring time/fall -we're really gonna have fun if he gets all this stuff down! :) can't wait!!!
Attached are Iklean's newly trimmed feet. :) pay no mind to that white one! I still want to dye that little dude! :)




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Day 2: Intro to natural hoof care :)

I'm very happy to announce Colin Chilson (a natural hoof care practitioner) came and saw to both my horses. He does such amazing work and is so incredibly good with horses and people alike. He pointed out what issues needed correction as he worked and is extremely proficient in natural trims. This was my first time seeing Iklean done and he wasn't cooperative initially. Colin asked for the right answer to be the easy one by making him move his feet when he wouldn't just stand and willingly allow his feet being handled. With Colin's confident handling while being firm and fair... it didn't take long at all for Ike to settle. I'm beyond happy to have such a great horse-person working on my horses' hooves. Ike is charging the minis at feeding times. He and Ross still haven't decided who's boss. Although, Ross is a really confident little guy. He seems as though he's reluctantly giving leadership to Ike when he stays off the hay. Ike keeps pushing him back when he gets too close. (Which is anywhere within 15 feet of the hay he's eating) Colin complimented the name's origin. :) I think I'll keep it. :) So nice to work with great horse people!




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Day 1: Where am I?

He was afraid of some new sounds, he called out 3 times to see if anyone called back or came. He pushed Ross ( the mini stud) around. They're trying to decide who amongst themselves is head honcho. He calmed about hay being dropped. (One of the times he charged Ross) I led him around, pet him, sat with everyone... Just watched him settle in. He did really well for it being his first day off the property he's known his whole life so far. He chose to follow me twice. :) he approached several times with no invitation. He drank from the auto waterer. Oh... And he's discovering what an electric fence is. Poor guy! It's for the safety of the fence. He wasn't sure at first, but he's figuring the place out.




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Day 1: Home, sweet home.

Karen hauled for me this morning and gave me an invoice and current coggins. He's settling beautifully, and is quite contently chewing hay beside me as I type this. I can't believe today marks the beginning of a partnership I'm actually enabled to create the foundation of. I'm so excited to see how he comes along. I really hope I do everyone I know proud in what I'm able to accomplish with him. Most especially, I hope he feels and sees what's desired and quickly finds the "right answers" and is calm and cooperative so we can be a phenomenal team. :)




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Less than 48 hours until I get him! (Drafted oct 15th)

One more day! I have horse mortality insurance being worked on by an underwriter. It should be in effect as of tomorrow. I have 10 days to get a check in the mail as they won't take a card. I have Karen hauling for me Wednesday morning before 11 am. I need a pony halter! Lol. I'm looking at getting a parelli colt starting set on eBay, but worst case scenario... I do without. No big deal. :) I have a ton of stuff I can work on with him. Super stoked to be getting my own little pony. :p
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Insurance obtained!

Tomorrow morning, he goes to the vet and comes home!!! :)



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The day I met my pony...

This is going a bit backwards to tell the story of how my pony was picked. I'm extremely fond of bonding with horses and using natural horsemanship to get the best partnership I can with the horses Im privileged to spend time with. I was introduced to the world of Parelli just over 2 years ago. I've since gained the confidence and desire to help mold a horse into the partner he is to become. I wanted to experience what its like to build a partnership from the foundation through to the finish. (even though I know I will always have something new to learn and aspects of horsemanship I can be bettered in.) I know it will be challenging, but anything worthwhile is. I posted an ad seeking a connemara pony as they are known to form a lasting strong bond with their handler. Karen of Stonecreek Farm contacted me in response to my ad to see if I held interest in a different breed (the fell pony) she represented whom had some common traits. We arranged to meet when she informed me there were a few options she had available. Unbeknownst to her, I actually really liked the breed she worked with even though I'd never been around them in person. Strangely enough, even though the fell pony is a rare breed with fewer than 7500 world-wide (from what I can tell. Accurate current information seems difficult to come by) the second largest fell pony farm in North America was 20 minutes from my house. Apon my arrival, the owner approached, introduced herself and first gave me a tour of the property including a hands on introduction to her favorite stud (whom happened to be the sire of the gelding I selected) The next pen we walked in held the young-stock I was looking at potentially making a selection from. The first guy I met was mellow and seemingly very content in life. He approached with curiosity and a low head. I couldn't help but smile at him doing exactly what I consider desirable. He was beautiful even with his single white hind foot. My selection would be based on the mind whereas color was an afterthought. Still, I found myself thinking "darn,...I could dye that". :) ( Lol... the irony of loving "natural") He had some rusty patches all over his face but he never walked away from us and actually followed as we walked. The pasture included a mare who wasn't for sale along with her adopted foal (his mom had rejected him) and 2 young fillies who were a couple of months apart. I was particularly enamored with a 5 year old gelding in the adjoining pasture. He had the calmest temperament you could ask for, the traditional stocky body, and no white. He was also (unfortunately for me ) a couple thousand dollars more. :( He did have 3 years of maturity on the little guy I ended up selecting,but it was doubtful my guy would ever be that stout. The reason I like the stoutness so much is fell ponies are short! That width will take more of my leg so I don't look like a giant on them! I'm only 5'1", but their average height is 13.2 hh. They aren't supposed to exceed 14 hands. Too, I didn't want to ride a pony that looked like a pony. I wanted a "little horse". So, after much deliberation, I decided I would take the 2 year old and hopefully build a better bond in taking him being younger. I truly do hope that he fills out nicely though. He was very watchful of me and what I was doing in my visits and I like that attentiveness. I'm all about calm and willing. A healthy, cooperative, and loving partner is the partner I want,& the partner I hope to find in my fell pony. Attached is a picture of Magic. (The much pricier 5 year old gelding)




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A little background...

I'm a a life-long horse fanatic but being one of 3 children with a single mom meant horse ownership was only a dream growing up. That changed roughly 5 years ago when I came across an online ad listing an inexpensive horse for sale. Along with reading everything I could, I spoke with a local horse boarding facility owner (Bryan Collins) about the associated expense and ended up boarding at his location the first 2 years I was involved with horses. I have never seen a more close knit, inviting barn. I learned a lot being there and I'm forever grateful. The owner of that facility was and is an incredible horse person whom I have a lot of respect for. He has a traditional style while being firm and fair. I have since apprenticed with a natural horse trainer who I felt privileged to know and who is an extremely gifted teacher.(Mrs. Debbie Lewis) & have taken care of a herd on a daily basis for the majority of a year (also thanks to Debbie) :) I put miles on green-broke horses and have gotten unhandled horses or horses with behavioral issues accepting human interaction and or responding in a positive way to human request. I decided as the saying goes " there will never be a day I'm any younger than I am today" and so, I decided to take on my first full fledged horse to start/finish & do all the training with. I wanted something very people oriented, smart, small in stature with a stout build, and versatile. I was pointed in the direction of a breed called none other than the fell pony. I was instantaneously smitten. I loved the build, the temperament over-all, and the feather! Fell Ponies to me looked like a draft horse in miniature. Small enough to enable me to get on easily bareback, while stout enough to look more like a horse than a pony. September 17th arrangements were made for me to meet up with a breeder. September 25th I signed a contract to take the first fell pony gelding I laid eyes on the day I'd initially visited. I'd met her studs, saw her mares, and was primarily interested and most attentive to the young-stock she had available. October 14th the deposit was put together along with the delivery fee, the boarding fee for the breeder holding him on her property, insurance, and lastly a natural trim which was scheduled the 18th. He was to be delivered before 11am Wed. October 17th. His name was an uncertainty but as he was diamond in the rough... The name Iklean (I-Klee-un) was thought of. It stemmed from the diamond industry term eye-clean which is a diamond whose flaws are invisible to the naked eye. I traded a western saddle (one of 2 that I had) for a harness that I was going to work with him with after much more basic ground-work was complete. He is a 2 year old (coming 3) born March 3,2010. For now, it's pretty surreal. In all the horse books I've read and experiences I've had leading up to this point... I never knew I'd one day be confident enough to take on such a wonderous journey and challenge. I hope he proves to be a very special guy. :)
I own one other gelding whom I got when he was a 6 year old. He's now 8 and the best horse I know in the world to this point. :)




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