[SerenWish]

{h o r s e}
#8119

Name:
Age: 6
Breed: Mustang
Color: Bay Dun Minimal Tobiano
Gender: Mare
Markings: Star, snip, half-cannon, two stockings, minimal tobiano markings
Height: 14.3 hands
Special/Fear/Vice: This mare is suprisingly tolerant of small spaces- paddocks, stalls, trailers, and rings are okay, she might experience some normal spookish reactions, but nothing compared to when she is out in open areas. She becomes panicky, excitable, and fearful, bucking and bolting and nearly impossible to control.
Notes: She will have issues in large pastures as well, and may need extra work in order to be trail-ridable.
Genetics: E/E, A/a, D/D, Tob/tob

[orse]

What I know so far

Name ;; Promise
Show Name ;; Broken Promise
Age ;; 6 years
Gender ;; Mare
Breed ;; Mustang
Coat ;; Bay Dun Minimal Tobiano
Height ;; 14.3 hands high
Personality ;; Promise's personality mostly depends on how the person around her is feeling. She needs a calm trainer, who knows what they are doing.
History ;; Promise was caught as a wild horse for the 2014 Cottonwood Wild Horse Ranch Mustang Makeover. She is being trained by me.
Markings ;; Star, snip, half-cannon, two stockings, minimal tobiano markings
Fear/Problem ;; This mare is surprisingly tolerant of small spaces- paddocks, stalls, trailers, and rings are okay, she might experience some normal spooky reactions, but nothing compared to when she is out in open areas. She becomes panicky, excitable, and fearful, bucking and bolting and nearly impossible to control. She will have issues in large pastures as well, and may need extra work in order to be trail-ridable.
Genetics ;; E/E, A/a, D/D, Tob/tob
Likes ;; Smaller Spaces
Dislikes ;; Large, open areas
Rider ;; Me, Aria Brennan

All my art so far - full size

#0001 - CWHR Sign
#0002 - Rugged mane from the wilderness
#0003 - Accumulating Dirt
#0004 - After a Groom
#0005 - Bonding Time
#0006 - A Map of the Area
#0007 - Spooking
#0008 - Cut leg
#0009 - As a foal
#0010 - Foal without background
#0011 - In the Paddock
#0012 - Jumping
#0013 - Ready for work in the round yard
#0014 - Sketch of a trot
#0015 - In the Stall
#0016 - Mane and Tail
#0017 - Stars
#0017 - Eating
#0018 - Trotting
#0019 - Headshot
#0020 - Supplies
#0021 - Bonding
#0022 - Canter
#0023 - Inspection
#0024 - Rear
#0025 - First attempt at realism
#0026 - In her Bridle
#0026 - Second Headshot
#0027 - First Ride
#0028 - Bareback
#0029 - Jumping

[orse]

Day one


I fidgeted nervously as I clasped my seatbelt back on. Carefully tucking a long golden strand of hair back behind my ear, I listened to the announcement. 'Flight crew, prepare for landing.' I don't like planes. And I don't see why anyone else would either. I watched intently as the flight attendants softly thudded down the isle. I clasped my hands together as our altitude dropped and my ears began to pop. I peeked outside and could see all the buildings below. A small ding came from the speakers as the flight attendants sat down for landing. Finally! I can get out of the cramped space, with the weird smells as the crying babies.

The thing with landing, is that it happens too fast. Once we were on the ground, I found my bags and made my way to the car rental place. After hours of form filling, I drove away with a sturdy rental car and a 1-horse float. Salt Lake City, Utah was not where I was needed though. It was a long drive out to Cottonwood Wild Horse Ranch. It was where I would pick up my mustang, for the annual mustang makeover. I knew I had a talent with horses, but I was surprised they picked me as one of the contestants. I just hope that flying all the way over here from Australia was a good choice.




I carefully drove down the Cottonwood Horse Ranch driveway, passing their ranch sign. This place was beautiful! There were plenty of horses to be seen, and that lightened my jet lagged mood. I parked my car and walked up to the barn to see a hustle and bustle of people everywhere. Today was the mustang pickup day. I could see all of the mustangs in a large yard. One by one, the gate was opened, and they were led or rounded into trailers.

My eye caught onto one of them. A beautiful bay dun minimal tobiano mare. She looked spooked and scared, pacing the fence. I shook my head, snapping to attention. Surely she wouldn't be mine! I could hope though.

A bright and bubbly woman walked over. 'Hi!' she beamed at me. 'Are you here to pick up your mustang?'
'Yes,' I replied, my focus sometimes switching over to the mustangs in the yard.
'Awesome!' The woman looked down at her clipboard. 'I'm Amy Westfield, the Makeover coordinator. What's your name?'
I glanced back at her, smiling with excitement. 'Aria Brennan.'
'Ooh. You've come from Australia, haven't you?' Amy flicked though her sheets, then led me over to the fence. She pointed to the mare I spotted earlier. 'This is your mustang.' She handed me a sheet with her details. I couldn't believe it! This mare had caught my eye from the beginning, and I never thought I'd get to train her!

The mare was surprisingly calm as she was led towards the corral. She did look quite spooked by the large crowd, but other than that, she seemed quite comfortable in the smaller area. Amy approached again and handed me a pile of forms. She also gave me her number. 'I am giving everyone my number. Call me if there is a problem. You can fill out those forms back at your ranch.' She flicked through her pile. 'Where will you be staying with her?'
'Willow Wood Ranch,' I replied.
'Ah. Amelia and Jack will take great care of you there. I'm sorry you couldn't bring her back to Australia to train.'
'Its OK,' I grinned. '2 plane rides are enough for me.' Amy gave me any extra information, then helped me get in my car. She handed me a piece of paper she had scrawled directions onto.
'Goodluck!'
I turned around to wave to her but she was already on her way to help the next contestant.

I understood why they called this ranch Willow Wood. There were beautiful, sweeping willows everywhere, accompanied by a beautiful stream stretching across the wide, open ranges. I could see four people waiting in the driveway, welcoming smiles decorating their faces. Three men, and one woman. I stepped out of the car and the woman came forward to welcome me. She shook my hand with a firm but gentle grip. 'You must be Aria!' she grinned, her green eyes glowing with kindness. 'I'm Amelia, the owner or Willow Wood Ranch.' She gestured to the older man behind her. 'This is Jack, my father.' she then gestured to two younger men. 'And these two are Tim and Gary, our stable hands. So far, we have 40 stables, and 39 horses, so there is a space for you.'
'Thanks!' I replied wearily. I handed her my mare's info sheet, and her eyes scanned over it.
'Ok. We should probably get her into a stall, a paddock would be too risky.'



I opened the gate of the stable, quickly getting her into the stall. 'She's gonna need a lot of work,' I sighed, watching her snort, sniffing the unusual sawdust.
Amelia laughed. 'But she is beautiful, what a lucky grab.'
I smiled a little bit, staring at her. 'I never imagined I would get her, I had seen her at the start.'
Amelia snapped out of her trance. 'Oh! We should get you settled in.' Amelia helped me grab my belongings. We drove in my rental car through a small forest of trees, within eyesight of the ranch. Once we passed though the strip of forest by a thin dirt road, we reached a semi-circle clearing with a lovely little cabin. It was about 500 meters across. The flat part of the semicircle was cut off by a river running across. The cabin was near the shore, and the rest of the clearing was surrounded by tall pines. It was calm and peaceful. Amelia showed me around the cabin, and told me that the whole clearing was mine for the next eight weeks. I thanked her, and unpacked my belongings.
'You will hear a bell ringing over at the ranch house for meal times, or when we need you.' I could see the ranch house about a mile away, and the stable, yards and arenas next to it.
'Thanks. This is more than I could ask for!'
'Well, you are away from home for awhile, you may as well feel at home. It's yours for now.'
'How can I ever repay you?'
'You have already paid us for horse care and food. That is enough.'
Amelia excused herself, and I checked out the cabin. It was old style, with modern touches. A double bed layered with warm blankets, and a small and cozy kitchen.

When I had finally settled in, I dressed into my swimmers. The river looked safe enough to swim in, so I took a dip. The water was icy, but it was relieving after the heat of a Utah summer. I felt refreshed and relieved after my long trip, and I tipped my head back as the current gently pushed me. My thoughts drifted to my horse. What would I name her? I thought about her problem, and just how I would fix it. It took me a while to realize just how long I had been swimming. I shook myself back to the real world, and carefully hopped out of the river, drying myself. I got changed into some casual clothes, and just as I left the cabin again, I heard the dinner bell ring. Finally! I was ravished. After dinner, I went back to my cabin, and as I collapsed on my bed, I realized just how bad my jet lag was, as the exhaustion hit me like an atomic bomb. I carefully climbed under the plush covers and yawned. I thought for a little bit to ease myself into sleep. What will I name her? I stared out the window into the dark night. I had made a promise to give this horse a better life, where it is calmer, and happier. We are bonded by that promise.

That's it! My eyes started to close, as I felt myself falling into sleep, deeper and deeper.

Promise, I thought. And it was my last thought of the day, as sleep took over my mind.





Things I learnt/did today

-Scared of Humans - obviously
-Spooky in large areas
-Comfortable in smaller areas

[orse]

Day Two


I woke up to hear the sweet noises of birds singing their morning song. For a moment, I didn't realise where I was, but when I did, I sprung out of bed and slipped on a lilac polo and grey plaid jodhpurs - my favorite. I braided my hair loosely, pulling it to one side over my shoulder. I pulled on some rubber work tall boots, and stepped outside. The grass in the clearing wasn't overgrown, but was longer in length than your average lawn. Golden sunlight shone though the pines. I bent down to see a small violet flower. I weaved it I into the hair behind my ears and made my way to the car. Checking all my equipment was in the back, I hopped in the seat, hearing the bell from the ranch ringing. I felt giddy with excitement. As I drove through the trail to the ranch, I remembered what I thought of last night. Her name! Promise it is, I thought.

At breakfast, Amelia was curious to find out just what I was going to do today.
'Well, I'll probably spend the first week just bonding with her.'
'And what does that involve?' Amelia popped another piece of bacon in her mouth. While I thought of a response, I watched her. She had long brunette hair and glowing green eyes. She looked around 25 years old. Maybe older.
'I will probably observe her in different areas, and see how she reacts to her surroundings. Nothing new for the moment.' I finished chewing my toast. 'Oh!' I added. 'I have a name.'
Amelia looked at me with a curious expression.
'Promise,' I replied. Tim looked up from his newspaper and grinned, his brown eyes shining from underneath his ruffled brown hair.
'Perfect,' he added. I smiled back at him, then looked back down at my plate, a small smile still on my face.

I scraped my plate clean and excused myself from the table, making my way to the stables. Promise seemed to have settled in. When she noticed me approach, she baulked, backing up to the other side of the stable. I kept back, and talked to her instead, my voice soothing. 'Hey, Promise,' I stood by her manger, watching her reactions intently. I carefully made my way to the door and unlatched it. Promise reared, striking out. She was wild and crazy, and I didn't want to know what she would be like outside.

I had one of those aha moments, when I realized what might have caused this. Maybe it was her experience when she was caught. What if she was on the look out for another dog or man, ready to capture her again? Or maybe it was that she wasn't in the company of other horses. I thought the most sensible guess was separation anxiety. I might not ever know what caused her problem, but with enough bond and trust, I could fix it.

I needed a place to try and work with Promise, where she was more calm. I carefully stepped over towards her, my leadrope in hand. I decided she would be best in a small yard, not too big, not too small. I had set up a sturdy corral, meaning I could round her to it. I carefully shifted towards her and showed her my leadrope, the moment I flicked it at her heels, she freaked out, slamming against the wall and tearing out the open stable door. Luckily, she followed the corral, and soon found herself in the round yard. I quickly closed the gate, leaving her to sort herself out.

I spotted Amelia filling a hay net, and walked over.
'Hey!' Amelia looked up from her work. 'How is everything going?'
'Good,' I replied. 'Hey, I know it's a lot to ask for, but I was wondering if I could borrow a horse for a ride? I need to check out the area.'
Amelia put her haynet away and led me to a bay Sabino gelding. 'Not a problem at all! Do you want to ride English or Western?'
I usually ride English, but a little Western couldn't hurt. Amelia helped me tack up the gelding, Marley, and I jumped on. Giving the horse a small squeeze, he moved off into an active walk. I looked up at the trees and sky as I rode past. A lot like Australia, I pondered. Many people think that all Australians live in the red outback, and say G'day mate all the time, but barely any of us do.

I pushed the gelding into a trot, and began to think of how to approach Promise's training. I needed her to trust me. I relaxed myself deeper into the comfy western saddle and asked for the canter. The horse made a canter transition straight away.

I could never tame her intelligent spirit, only mold it into a new shape, using all of her good qualities to fight her bad ones. I sighed as we cantered lazily through the field. Tomorrow is a new day.

I drew no art today, but I did write a poem.

Wild, mustang, of the mountains,
Fluid mane, like a fountain.
Strong hooves for the rocks they bear,
Intelligent and strong, nature they dare.

They are strong and spirit-able,
Therefore, sometimes irritable.
But if you are patient and kind,
A great reward you will find.





Things I learnt/did today

- Can be startled by approaching humans
- Definitely no experience with any humans

[orse]

Day three


I only just realized how shocking Promise's coat was when I went to see her the next morning. When she arrived, her mane and tail was quite ragged, but when I saw her that morning, she was starting to accumulate a lot of dirt. I approached the yard and her ears




pricked. Her eyes were alert and wary, but her expression was kind, as if she'd figured out what I was thinking, and how I acted before I barely knew anything about her.

I decided I needed to wash her. I grabbed a hose, and stood at the gate. I turned it on slightly, and stepped into the yard. I stood near her, and touched her shoulder softly. She flinched. I began to wash her legs, keeping her in a corner of the small yard. I let the water from the hose reach her back, but I stood away from the reach of her hooves.

As the dirt began to run off, I began to see her true colours. She was stunning! When I was done, I turned off the hose, letting Promise shake her coat like I dog. I laughed, putting the hose away as I did so. It was enough work for the morning.

~~~

After a filling lunch, I went back to the stables with one thing in mind. I grabbed a coiled rope and made Promise stand near the fence. With a sharp whistle and a flick of the end of the rope, I asked her to walk forward around the yard. She baulked, spinning in to the middle of the yard and charging straight for me. I let out a sharp cry and lashed the rope out. Promise dodged me at the last second. I needed to show her that I wanted to become friends with her, but show her I was the boss also. I swung a bit of the rope in circles, running slightly behind her, but in the middle of the yard. She broke into a canter, then a gallop, her eyes wild and wary. I kept her going, whistling and yelling. She had to keep cantering and galloping around the yard until she turned in to face me.

After almost half an hour of cantering, Promise was not tiring. Sweat broke out on my forehead as I kept her running, yelling and clicking. I was almost about to give up, until I noticed a change in her body language. She had slowed to a trot, then a walk. I turned to face away from her and closed my eyes, my body full of adrenaline. I could hear hooves hit the ground as she approached. She came to stand beside me, her head next to my shoulder. When I turned around, she snorted in surprise, but I took a hold of her halter and praised her. That was enough work for the day. We had already begun the basics of trust and partnership. Just like I had hoped.





Things I learnt/did today

- Willing to learn
- Incredibly Spooky

[orse]

Day Four


I couldn't believe it was day four already. I had things to do, and if I didn't get to work, I would start falling behind. I grabbed a lead rope. Promise may have been wary, but she was incredibly curious too. Maybe she thought that the things I did with her were a lot more fun than standing in a yard all morning.

This time, she let me step closer. I carefully stroked her neck and she snorted. After five minutes, she had had enough, so I stepped back and sat on the gate, watching her. I pulled out some cut up apple, and she instantly pricked her ears at the unusual scent. I offered a piece to her, and she inspected it, carefully plucking it out of my hand, then backing away to eat it. She pulled a face as she became familiar with the apple, but she soon came back to eat more.

Once we were finished, I went back to the ranch house. I sighed and sat down in a chair next to Amelia. 'It's still only 3PM.' Amelia commented. 'There is a cross country and jumping paddock out behind the mountain, you could ride one of the horses over there?'
My mood brightened at the idea. 'Sure!'



I swiftly mounted Roxy, the large thoroughbred mare. Gathering my reins, I urged her into a walk, headed towards the jump paddock. 10 minutes later, trotting around the base of the mountain, I saw a rather large paddock filled with both show jumps and cross country obstacles. I was told Roxy could jump them all. I pushed Roxy into a bright and bouncy canter, trying to decide which obstacle to tackle first. I saw a combination of four logs. Perfect.

The feeling of flying is like no other, and riding Roxy was a great break, helping me to clear my mind. I grinned as Roxy willingly soared over every jump I steered her to. To feel the horse floating underneath you as they fly over jumps, again and again was awesome. I decided that was enough for the time being, and I rode her back with a loose rein, the mild summer breeze flying past us.

That night, I scribbled a quick map of the area. Just so I didn't forget.







Things I learnt/did today

- She tolerated me touching her neck
- She LOVES food!

[orse]

Day Five


I braced myself as I trudged down the steep hill to the round yard. My eyes immediately looked over to the round yard, but there was no Promise. The thing is, the gate is closed. I checked the paddock gate also, as the round yard was inside the paddock. It was closed. She had to be in the paddock. I straddled the gate and jogged over. I saw Promise in the corner of the paddock, limping.
I ran back to the stable, faster than I ever had before. When Jack asked what was wrong, the words gushed out in panic. My heart thumped loudly as I grabbed my halter. Jack went to fetch medical supplies. I sprinted back to the paddock, to see that Promise has started progressing over to the gate. I tried to move her to the round yard, and she slowly limped through the round yard gate.
Amelia and Jack were waiting when we got back, and this time, Amelia looked serious. I waited anxiously as she inspected the rather large cut on Promise’s lower front left leg. She looked back up at me, relief on her face.



‘It was close to hitting a major tendon, this cut. But it didn't.’ I sighed in relief, my headache vanishing.
‘Is she going to be ok?’ I stood by her shoulder, and Promise didn't seem to mind. She was glad we were helping. I knew she would come around.
‘She will be fine, I highly doubt it will become infected. She can move properly, but the cut will need to be bandaged.’ I swallowed slowly, knowing that bandaging it might me a problem.
‘How come she was limping?’
‘It was swollen, but you can wash it out easy.’ Amelia and Jack left, leaving me to mix up an antibacterial solution. I carefully applied the solution with a wet cloth, and Promise baulked as I let the watery mixture run down her leg. It was either the cloth or the sting of the antiseptic that she didn't like. I ran my hand up to her shoulder and stroked it softly. She backed up to the gate, her head held high. I waited for her to settle, then made sure I have put enough solution on.

Promise didn't like the idea of a scary white bandage being wrapped around her legs. I tried to keep her still as she fidgeted. Deciding it was a bad idea, I was forced to put the bandage away.

I wanted to know how she got out of her yard. I knew she didn't get out of the paddock. And the yard was way too high to jump. For Promise to be able to jump that high… well, it could be possible. What if she’s a great jumper? I shook my head. She might be ok at jumping, but a more likely situation would be that she had managed to unlock the gate, and before she had gotten back in, the gate might have locked itself again, leaving her in the large paddock, where it’s obvious she could hurt herself. I decided that was the most sensible assumption, and left it at that.

Despite the nasty little cut on her leg, I knew we needed to make progress. I touched her neck again, feeding her a piece of apple as I used my nails to scratch her withers, like grooming in the wild. She watched me warily, but seemed to find comfort in the grooming, and was starting to rely on trust.





Things I learnt/did today

-Likes being scratched
-She is beginning to recognize me.
- Finds comfort in grooming

[orse]

Day Six


That morning, I hopped on the ranch house computer, to do some research. I found a website, showcasing photography and information on mustangs. I read about how they were protected on reserves, and every year, a small amount of them were rounded for the Mustang Makeover. My mouse hovered over the photo gallery button, and I decided to click it. I flicked through the photos. They were awesome! I took an instant liking to one of them. A bay mare, standing on a cliff, her head held high. The wind tousling her mane. My eyes made their way down the picture to see a small foal nestled beneath her. It looked awfully similar to Promise. Wait... it was Promise! Her markings were obvious. My eyes flicked to the side of the page, where I could buy a canvas with the picture on it. I knew I had to have it. I attached an email with my order.






To whom it may concern,
I am Aria Brennan, and I am a contestant in the 2014 Mustang Makeover. I have found this picture of my Mustang, Promise as a foal! I was wondering if you knew anything about her history or mother?

Thanks,
Aria Brennan.



After the order was on it's way, I searched for more pictures of Promise, but there was none. I decided it was time to get moving, so I hauled myself out of the chair and went to see Promise. When I approached, I noticed she had been digging a little hole with her hoof. Perhaps she knew that I bring her food now? I opened the gate and offered her a piece of apple. I then grabbed another piece and cautiously asked her to back up, putting my hand on the base of her neck. She raised her head high, carefully backing up. I fed her the treat, praising her. She seemed more happy to be outside in a yard than she was a few days ago.

I love horses, I do, but I have never experienced love for a horse stronger than this.





Things I learnt/did today

- We are building a bond

[orse]

Day Seven


I flicked my rope back and forth as Promise darted around the round yard. I put her through her paces as usual but pushed her a little harder. I stepped in front of her, and she wheeled around, cantering off in the opposite direction. 'Get up,' I called out as she slowed, giving my rope a little flick. She broke into a gallop. 'Whoooo...' I called, easing her back into a more controlled canter. I then brought her in. Taking her halter off, I gave her a scratch on her shoulder then walked away from her, encouraging her to follow. I clicked and used my rope to guide her loosely as she walked over. It was working. The basic beginnings of liberty training. I tried the exercise again and again until she was vaguely familiar with it. 'Shh..' I hissed, feeding her a small piece of apple.



Back at the ranch house, I checked my email. There was no reply, but there was an order confirmation.



Your order will arrive within 1-2 days



The email was sent yesterday - fingers crossed my order arrives! There might be some answers in it..

I spent the afternoon hanging out with Promise in a small paddock. I carefully studied her reactions, and the things she did, or didn't do. There must be an answer to this problem. I can hope, can't I?





Things I learnt/did today

- Understands the concept of liberty

[orse]

Day Eight


At breakfast, Amelia handed me a large, flat package. I knew what it was, but I contained my excitement until after breakfast, where I went outside. Sitting under a large oak tree, I carefully tore open the box and grabbed the canvas. It was larger than I had thought, and the photo fit it perfectly, like a landscape. Digging further into the box, I found a note, handwritten.



Dear Aria,

Thank you for your purchase and interest in this photograph. What a lucky find!

I do know a small amount of information on Promise and her mother. A few years ago, we were rounding up mustangs for the Mustang Makeover. We saw Promise and her mother, who was unfortunately injured. We decided we should capture her to try and help her leg, which she was obviously limping on. She was very wild, and the moment we caught her, we took a blood test, and 40 strands of hair for a DNA test. Unfortunately, as we tried to fix the nasty cut on her leg, she baulked and ran away. Her foal was left trying to chase after her, but she was gone. We had no choice but to hope that the foal found a foster mother, which, evidently, she did. Please find enclosed a copy of your mare's mother's DNA test, and the hair I managed to find in our collection.

Best Wishes,
Mandy



Wow. I couldn't believe it! It was more than I could have asked for. I dug around the box and found a sheet with DNA testing results and the mare's hair. It was braided, and had metal clasps on the end. A bracelet! I slipped it onto my wrist. It was brown,
like

I drew Promise jumping, just as a quick experiment.
the colour of chocolate. Thank you, Mandy.

When I visited Promise, she took a good sniff at my bracelet. She snorted as she recognized the scent, nuzzling me warily. I looked into her eyes, and could feel her loss. I held her close, and for the first time, she let me run my fingers through her mane. 'Should be get to work?'
She snorted in reply.

I decided to do some more liberty. Promise had seemed to latch on to the concept more, and she followed me intently, ready to listen to the next command. I broke into a run this time, and after a small amount of persuading, she followed cautiously at a trot, her nose extended. When she reached me, I gently stroked her, not too much. 'Good girl,' I whispered, giving her a friendly slap, making her snort in surprise. Whoops. 'Good girl.'





Things I learnt/did today

- She lost her mother
- Is starting to latch on to the liberty concept