[The Royal Mirage]

Rescued from the event.
For DarkestWerewolf
Hoo, glad I was able to get one of these done for the rescue event - hope you like her DarkestWerewolf!

Background: "Before she was rescued from the slaughter, this mare was a top showing prospect for her owners; a series of unlucky coincidences and bad choices lead her to her current state. One stormy day during her training, a bolt of lightning hit one of the trees outside the indoor arena she was working in, crashing through the walls right in front of her. The experience was terrifying, and for a long time the mare wouldn't enter an arena under any circumstances. The owners tried to coax her in gently, but when their efforts failed to pay off quickly enough, they brought in a trainer. This new human in her life was cruel and unyielding, and would spare no violent efforts to get her into the arena again - from yanking her head with a severe bit in her mouth, to hitting her legs with a broom handle. She came to associate even her tack with this torturous routine, and would pin her ears at anyone who brought a saddle or bridle near her. While she was a perfectly sane companion otherwise, the mare was unable to earn her keep, and ended up shipped off for meat production before finding her way into the rescue association."

Owner: X
Show Name:
Barn Name:
Gender: Mare
Post: X

For the Owner to Fill Out:

Code: Select all

    [b]Show name[/b]:
    [b]Barn name[/b]:
    [b]Halter color[/b]:

    [b]Task 1[/b]:
    [b]Task 2[/b]:
    [b]Task 3[/b]:

The halter will be added only after you complete your tasks, and then it is officially yours. Have Fun and Good luck!

[DarkestWerewolf]

Ahh she's gorgeous! Definitely worth the wait. Thank you, Mirage!
Show name: Breath of Royalty
Barn name: Stardust
Halter color: Surprise me <3

Task 1: Below
Task 2: Below
Task 3: Below

[DarkestWerewolf]

Finding trust:
The trailer pulled up and out stepped a beautiful mare. Fear was flashing through her exhausted eyes as she slowly stepped out of the trailer, led by a simple slack rope around her neck. It was the closest thing to a bridle that she'd allow. I brought her to her stall to settle her in. I was focused on helping her get accustomed and gain trust with me and my other SWE, Exodus, who was also a rescue.
The process was long but it had to be done. I'd deliberately place tacks around the entire stable, one or two along the fence of the pasture, one in the vacant stall opposite hers and a few here and there. This was to also get her accustomed to tack being nearby. It took half a year before she showed signs of trust. Following me for a distance, approaching me to let me stroke her and letting me groom her without a problem. She and Exodus also got along pretty well as they now graze together and gallop around the pasture to play.
Stardust changed greatly from the mare that stepped foot here on Day 1 till now. She went from a recluse and terrified mare to a beautiful, spirited sweetheart.
I can clearly recall her being very cautious to even eat in front of me the first few months. Now, she can happily eat in front of me and even poke me for carrots or apples. She also got used to the tack lying around the stable, able to freely walk past it without any problems, though she still avoids going near the training ring. There were even a few times, the neighbour's horses and her would interact when they were in sight. She'd even let the neighbours stroke her. With such great progress, I felt it was time to take another step.

(311 words)

[DarkestWerewolf]

Medical Care:
It was finally time for her first treatment since she came to the stables. From the months that she's been here, I can safely say that she's in great physical condition. She eats well, gets plenty of exercise and sleeps well. She socialised well and doesn't have behavioural issues. Stardust is a sweet girl and is quite friendly to those she just met. Although, Stardust's real problem is psychological. She is still trying to get over the fear of tack and she's still terrified of even going near the training ring. Despite efforts to even get her near the training ring by placing apples and carrots around there, she would even refuse to eat it and ignore it, heading off in the opposite direction.
In conclusion, there wasn't much the vet could do. The vet only advised that I must be patient with her and have to encourage her every step of the way. It was something I've been doing and I won't stop. Stardust has hope and I'll see to making sure she can be that happy mare she once was.

(182 words)

[DarkestWerewolf]

General Rehabilitation:
Rehabilitation started the week Stardust first came here. I placed a bridle in front of the stall opposite her and she pinned her ears. I quickly coaxed her and after a while, she started to settle down. Day after day, I'd take the bridle or saddle and place it around the stall opposite hers until she no longer pinned. Around the place, I had placed bridles, saddles and saddle pad as well. She used to avoid going close and would pin her ears at it but after months, she started to get used to it.
I started placing the tack nearer to her, even riding Exodus near her in the pasture. She would freak out and run away but after doing so for some time, she started to become comfortable with it. After another two months, she would approach the tack while I was on Exodus and sniff it.
It was finally time to place the tack on her instead of her being near the tack. It was a huge jump but I took baby steps in approaching the situation the best I can. She initially came in with a terrible fear of the tack, now, she was able to approach and sniff it without having a meltdown. I first started to put the bridle close to her face and the saddle pad on her back. It continued this procedure until she showed no signs of uncomfort. Eventually, she got used to it and I could place the bridle and saddle pad on Stardust. After that, I placed the saddle on her. She initially reared and would buck around to get the foreign object off but she eventually eased into it after knowing no harm would come to her. After a few months, she was finally comfortable with the tack.
Her fear of the arena made her unable to compete but it wasn't something that I was bothered about. Despite best efforts of trying to coax her into the training ring, she plainly wouldn't. She'll just be a new addition to the family.

(343 words)

[The Royal Mirage]

I am so dumb.. finally got your halter on for ya, thanks for adopting this pretty babe <3 (and putting up with so much delay)

[DarkestWerewolf]

Its alright. Thank you!