[~Trompy]

Rescued from the event.
For Musicalshadow

Background: "This SWE is terrified of halters. She thrashed around in the auction ring and required sedatives to calm her down and get her to you. We assume she was harshly trained, and needs a lot of work building trust with her new owner before you can put one on her. She loves attention though, and if there isn't a halter in sight she is a real sweetie. She has a nasty mat in her tail that's rubbing her skin raw... hopefully you can get close enough to cut it out before it gets infected."

Owner: X
Show Name: Cherry On Top
Barn Name: Isabelle
Gender: Mare
Post: X

[Musicalshadow]

Oh my gosh she's so pretty!!

Show name: Cherry On Top
Barn name: Isabelle
Halter color: pinkish-red with gold buckles

[Musicalshadow]

Task 1:

When Isabelle first arrived it made me extremely worried to see her so sedated, stumbling around. I could see that she was scared. Hopefully once everything wore off I could get her to stay calm. I had heard about her fear of halters and knew that would take some work, preferably before that mat got to bad on her tail.

With patience I gathered food and water while the volunteers put her in the corral. It wasn't a very large one but enough for some roaming space. After hanging the buckets I walked over and entered the corral. Looking at Isabelle I carefully walked over to her.

Isabelle at first moved away before gaining some trust. When she did it was obvious that I smiled. Now, then next thing was a harness. Sure, I was pushing it but if I didn't start trying I would hesitate. As soon as Isabelle's eyes fell on the halter being handed to me she moved away.

I frowned, carefully and slowly moving over to her. "You're okay.." I said softly, trying to calm Isabelle. Eventually she stopped backing away and let me come over and pet her. I soon tried to put the halter on her and she moved her head away. I stopped, petting her again. After many attempts I got the halter on her.

Isabelle shook her head, trying to get it off, eventually she gave up and got used to it. When I noticed this I took it off and gave her a treat. "Good girl." I said softly, smiling as Isabelle took the treat from my hand

[Musicalshadow]

Task 2:

Now it was time to get that mat out of Isabelle's tail. My biggest fear is that she would kick me but honestly I had to do it. It was too bad to brush out even with a detangling shampoo. I have to cut it out. I sighed, going back to the front of Isabelle. "I'll be right back sweety."

I went into the barn, getting a pair of scissors and a comb. I quickly came back to Isabelle, going behind her again. I cut out the large mat. There was no way I would've been able to comb it out. Gently, I combed Isabelle's tail, brushing out any smaller mats that I couldn't see. I'll have to wash her when it got warmer.

I finished up and looked at her leg where the mat was rubbing. It wasn't bad but I'd have to keep an eye on it. If it got infected I'd have to treat it, it didn't look like it would though. I was thankful. With a smile I got up and walked into front of Isabelle, petting her. My smile grew when she wrapped her head over my shoulder. She was fond of me.

[Musicalshadow]

Task 3:

Isabelle's leg had never gotten infected. I gave her plenty of time to get used to the stables and her halter. After a week or so I decided I would see how she did saddled up. I hated bareback riding, I'd fall off very quickly.

I was small so I needed help carrying the heavy gear and getting it on her. Isabelle moved away a first, still a little nervous. I stayed with her, calming her as someone saddled her. I put the halter on her and smiled, "There you go. See you're okay."

Isabelle's eyes seemed to follow my every movement. When I climbed on she panicked and began bolting and rearing. My eyes widened as I lost grip, falling off. My back landed flat on the ground and I winced. "Ow..."

I looked up to see Isabelle slowly walking towards me. I sat up, wincing at a striking pain in the back of my head. "Okay..maybe no riding yet." I looked at Isabelle, waving her over.

Isabelle nuzzled me. I smiled a bit as I got up and pet her. "I'm okay. That's my fault." I rubbed the back of my head then took Isabelle back over to the side of the pasture. I took of the gear and halter, of course with some help.

I leaned against the fence, watching Isabelle roam. We were making progress, slowly but surely.

[~Trompy]

Alright, all updated for you!