Heartbreak - My AIWP rehoming event stories

[Good.Pointe]

The Fun Tasks

. first experience with halter and lead rope - these horses have through a lot so they don't all really remember their manners
. meeting a friend - these horses have relied on their herd for emotional support some may still need a friend no matter the species
. first trail ride - we have gained their trust now lets enjoy their company in nature
. ground work - ground work is a great way to bound with your horse and is fun to do
. trick learning - some horses may even be smart enough to learn fun tricks!
. perform in a chosen discipline - maybe you have a feature show jumper or maybe we have an amazing steer cutter! Oh the fun of finding out!
. first experience with water - you are out riding and come across a stream/creek what will happen next?
. practice makes perfect - we can't win a competition right off the bat! To compete and win you need to practice first!

NO POSTING, ALL MY STORIES WILL BE HERE

[Good.Pointe]

I walked to the pasture where the new rescues were kept. They were muddy and you could see the fear in their eyes. "I'd like to adopt one, whichever you pick out for me. I'd love them no matter what." A stable hand caught one and put her into the corral. A strawberry roan tobiano mare. She ran around wildly and kept moving. She stayed in the middle of the corral, almost as if the outside scared her. I climbed onto the top of the fencing and sat on the rail, examining her. She she looked at me with both curiosity and fear. It was understandable, depending on where she was rescued, humans either hurt her or left her to fend for herself and her herd. I talked very calmly and sweetly in a low tone. "Hello girl, it's okay I'm not gonna hurt you." She was unsure of me. I watched her movements. "I'll take her. She's gonna be a beautiful little heart breaker." I decided to call her 'Mama's Broken Heart' or 'Heartbreak' based off the song, her coloring, and her attitude. She was fierce yet frightened. She was curious yet unsure. She'd be my next project, and my next champion. I had hope. I knew from just seeing her.

Word Count: 212

[Good.Pointe]

After finally getting her loaded in the trailer, I took her to her new home. She was difficult to load. I figured out that she's claustrophobic, as once she was in the trailer she wouldn't calm down. We arrived and backed the trailer up to the corral. I climbed over the fence and opened the trailer, letting her loose quickly. My stable hand closed the gate and closed the trailer for me. This corral connected to a pasture, which I turned new horses out into. She ran around the corral and got her energy out. It was time to release into the pasture. I slowly opened the gate and let her run out into her new home. She sniffed around and walked slowly, inspecting her surroundings. She seemed like she was very pleased with the lush grass and the tall, shady trees. She cantered and looked at other horses in the other pasture. She gave a few excited whinnies and galloped around. She kept her head up and payed attention to her surroundings. I caught her the best I could and showed her the water trough and the shelter. She was all set. I let her go for the day and she went to graze.

Word Count: 205
I don't own the image, it's just a close resemblance to what her pasture would actually be like.

[Good.Pointe]

I went out into the pasture where Heartbreak is kept, and brought her to the corral. I stood in the middle of the corral and watched her run around me nervously. I kept my posture low and relaxed, to show her that I wouldn't hurt her. She would take a bit to get used to me, but it was worth the while. After her running around for about half and hour, I let her back out into the pasture. My sister came to me and asked me a few questions. "Is that the new rescue horse you said you were getting?" She asked, pointing at the strawberry pinto covered in mud in the pasture. "Oh, yeah, that's Heartbreak, the new mare here. She'll take some work, but she'll be a champion. I have hope for her." I responded, smiling as I talked. "Why did you stop working with her so soon then?" She asked. "I don't want to pressure her, she came from a bad place, I don't want to stress her out." I explained. She seemed to understand and we walked back to the barn. The next day, I did the same procedure, this time I looked down at the ground. Heartbreak galloped a bit closer and looked at me for a second. But she went back to running, so I let her go. "We made some progress today, Kate! Heartbreak stopped and looked at me for a few seconds and ran closer!" I said excitedly to my sister. She smiled and hugged me. "Congrats sissy! Within a few days, you'll have her trust, you have your way with horses.." she said back. I smiled and went to bed. The next morning, I got Heartbreak into the corral again and this time she took a few steps toward me, before turning and trotting. "It's okay, Heartbreak, my beautiful girl, I won't hurt you." I said calmly and softly to the mare. She stopped and put her ears forward and turned toward me curiously. I decided to let her run about in her pasture, there was no need to push the mare. The next day, I went out to the pasture, and once again brought Heartbreak to the corral. Today she approached me from behind and sniff my hand. Success. I turned and gently and slowly pet her face. I slipped the rope halter back over her face and pet her gently. I gained her trust, and it was time to get her fixed up.

(Everything in purple text is stuff my sister wanted me to put in the story, as that would be what she'd say in real life.)
Word count: 415

[Good.Pointe]

I went out into Heartbreaks pasture. She was inside her spacious shelter, and I slipped her halter over her face, leading her up to the wash stall. I put her in a large stall and turned on the hose. She jumped sideways, spooked by the water moving. I let her lick the water and sniff it as it moved. Once she saw that the water was harmless, I slowly hosed off the mud on her feet. As a worked my way up her legs, she moved around a little, uncomfortable with a feeling of water hitting her legs. I moved up to her stomach and shoulders. She seemed content, and moved closer the water. She got jumpy again as a moved up on her neck and back. As I hosed her off, I could see her coloring again. I moved on to her face, and she threw her head up, but stayed still. After a good hosing, I got some soap and lathered her up. She seemed to enjoy her belly rubbed and her neck pet as I lathered her. I hosed her off a second time to get the soap off, and this time she stayed still, but still flinched a little when the hose turned on and off. I got my sweat scraper and got a bit of the extra water off before getting a curry comb to get some shedding hair and leftover mud and dirt. After loosening the dirt and hair, I gave her a brush over. She must love belly rubs, as she relaxed when I brushed her belly. I cleaned her mane and tail up, and brushed them out. She pinned her ears, but still behaved well. I taught her to pick up her feet and I picked them out slowly and carefully. I walked her back out to the pasture, and then scheduled her vet appointment.

Word Count: 313

[Good.Pointe]

Within a few days, it was time for Heartbreak's checkup. I caught her in the pasture and brushed off any mud and grass so the vet could easily see her body. I exercised her in the corral to get rid of a little bit of energy, so she'd behave for Sophia, the vet. Sophia is a good friend of mine, so I could trust she'd be gentle with Heartbreak. Once Sophia arrived, I stopped lunging Heartbreak and led her to a large, open stall, where all my equines get vet and farrier checkups. I let Heartbreak stand in the very middle, and stood in front of her where she could see me to keep her calm. Sophia got her equipment and started by looking at her face. "Her eyes seem lively with no discharge, which is good for a rescue horse. Her nose and mouth look good, but her teeth need to be floated and her wolf teeth need to be pulled. Her skin and fur are a bit rugged, but I'm sure once she's got more weight and nutrients, it'll be fine. Her muscles are still weak, too, but I know you'll get her in shape. Her heartbeat is a bit fast, but I saw that you were exercising her, so that's normal. Her legs have a bit less cartilage, more than likely from being worn down from standing on those overgrown hooves, where she has to shift her weight constantly to keep from pain. I'll give you some double strength aspirin for her pain. She's a bit sneezy, so I'll give you flu medication. Other than that, she's healthy. I'll get my dental stuff and float her teeth while I'm here, and so she can eat a bit better. Then, I'd like to see her gaits, so I can be sure there's nothing else wrong, and then she'll be ready for the farrier!" Sophia said. She got her dental stuff and floated Heartbreak's teeth, while I pet her neck to keep her calm. After Sophia was done, I walked, trotted, and cantered Heartbreak up the isle. "The farrier will have some work to do, thanks for the checkup, I'll see you soon Sophia!" I said while petting Heartbreak's face. "Yeah, everything looks good! It's no problem, Rose! Take care of that sweet mare, I'll expect to see you in the show circuit with her soon!" Sophia said as she handed me the medications for Heartbreak's flu and legs, and got into her truck and left.

Word Count: 417

Everything in dark blue is what my friend irl, Sophia, said to put. She aspires to be a vet so I figured why not add her as the stable vet!

[Good.Pointe]

After a few days passed, it was time for Heartbreak to get her feet back into shape. "Come on girl. Are you ready to get your hooves fixed?" I said to Heartbreak as I got her from the pasture. She was still very sore from being on her overgrown and cracked hooves for a long time. She walked a bit funny, her hooves making it difficult to walk. The farrier pulled up and I put her in a large, open, and padded shower and shoeing stall. I decided not to put her in cross ties and held her lead in my hand to keep her calm. The farrier go his equipment, and she jumped, a little nervous about the unfamiliar equipment about to be used on her feet. The farrier attempted to pick up her front hoof, but she resisted to pick it up for him. I put her on one cross tie and asked her to pick up her hoof, and she picked up hoof and the farrier put it on a stand to keep it up. I went back to her head and stroked her face, keeping her calm as the farrier trimmed and filed her hoof. Heartbreak got a bit impatient and started to move around a little. I talked to her calmly and quietly. "It's okay Heartbreak, it's okay." The farrier was done trimming, and asked if I'd like to shoe her. "Yes, but be careful, I don't think she's ever been shod." He nodded and gathered his equipment to put on her shoes. I hummed Carolyn to her again to keep her calm as the hot shoes were lowered and nailed into her feet. After the farrier finished up, I walked Heartbreak slowly out to her pasture to let her run and get used to her new shoes. I took off her halter and let her run, and she started to buck, rear, and gallop around, getting used to her new shoes.

Word Count: 327
Picture (done by me :3)
Carolyn - Black Veil Brides

[Good.Pointe]

"Rose, how much do we feed that rescue mare?" My brother/ stable hand asked. "Let me me feed her, she's still a bit jumpy. Feed the barn cats afterward, please. And give your stallion a groom and ride, he wants some attention from you. I might join you later, but for now just finish up and take off." I replied. I got some sugary feed and some peppermints, of which she loves. I was trying my best to get her weight up to normal, and then the training for her discipline will start. I gave Heartbreak 2 scoops of feed and hand fed her peppermints. As a week passed, she gained a bit more weight, and I could put her on regular feed. There was an improvement on her attitude as she gained weight, as well. Within a few more days, I could no longer see all of her bones. She was finally getting to a healthy weight. I love to sneak in peppermints for her when the other horses in pastures near her aren't around.

Word Count: 175 (Not much inspiration for this >.<)

[Good.Pointe]

Heartbreak came as I called for her. Finally, after lots of work and time, my beautiful rescue mare was in amazing condition, good health, and overall, much more friendly and brave. Before, she was very thin, I could see a lot of her bones, but now, she's filled out, and looks much happier. Before, she had aching feet and a bit of a flu, now she's in good health and her feet are in a healthy condition. Before, she was a fiery, jumpy, and shy mare, and now, she's sassy, sweet, friendly, and brave. Her I couldn't believe all my work actually paid off. Kate came to see me and Heartbreak. "Kate! Look at this! Can you believe that's the same mare!" I said as I handed her a picture of Heartbreak before I fixed her up. "Rose, you did so good! There's no way that was her before, she looks so much better! She's so much happier, I mean just look at her face." She replied as she pet Heartbreak's face. Heartbreak was very content with her face pet, and I couldn't believe it. She trotted off into the middle of the pasture and excitedly galloped around. Her coat shined in the sunlight and her cleaned up, brushed out mane flowed in the wind. Heartbreak whinnied happily and threw her head up. "My beautiful girl." I said as I watched Heartbreak run and play excitedly. Out next challenge was fixing her haltering manners.

[Good.Pointe]

I grabbed black leather halter along with Heartbreak's current rope halter. I got Heartbreak from the pasture, putting on her rope halter with a bit of difficulty. I led her to the corral and slowly took off her rope halter, held the lead around her neck to keep her from moving, and put on the leather halter, keeping it loose for her to get used to the halter triggering more pressure points. She was a bit confused and threw her head around a lot, galloping around the corral nervously. She got a bit more used to it, and came to me, asking for a bit of attention. I pet her head, and then tightened her halter up to the correct size. I led her around, teaching her halter manners. I pulled on her a little, asking her to walk forward. I taught her to back up with pressure, turn, respect personal space, and stop nicely within a few days. She learned quickly, and she seemed curious to learn. At first she was a bit cautious and nervous, but learned it wasn't going to hurt her. Heartbreak struggled a little learning to back up, but she worked at it and got it right after a while. She wasn't too hard to teach, she was accepting to learning. Now that she's halter trained, I was ready to introduce her to more horses.

Word Count: 230