Ohh! Thank you canis!! Shes gorgeous! And the story reminds me of my own horse!!
Kleeare Name; Indigo
Gender; Mare
#1; First Meeting
After the drive and being in a strange trailer, the mare was not very happy. She was snorting and nipping with her ears pinned back. Once we got the trailer swing gate open she came flying out of the trailer and into the small paddock we had to hold her until she settled in. I watched her as she ran around bucking and kicking and couldnt help but laugh at her when she let out a fart in the middle of a buck!! As I watched her prance around , the evening sun making her dun barring look blue. "Thats what ill call you, Indigo." As I spoke she trotted around looking at me and watching my every move. I went to the truck and pulled the bag of carots out of my lunch box. As soon as Indigo heard the small bag crinkle in my hand she immediately came to the fence. I was thrilled to have her attention and have her thinking instead of stressing. I pulled a carrot out, " you want one?" I taunted her and she came a step closer and sniffed. I waved the carrot around a bit and she didnt spook away! Instead she came closer and ever so gently took it out of my hand. 210 After she finished the carrot she did not continue to prance around the paddock. She stood even closer than before, and looked expectantly at me for another carrot. I laughed and gave her another carrot. She pranced around again and neighed then came back for another. I absolutely knew she was mine and couldnt wait to start working with her! But Indigo still needed a few days to settle in and get some food in her belly and I needed to get everything together to get the little piece of barbed wire out of her long mane. The rescue team couldnt get it because she was too jumpy and wild. So they cut it to free Indigo and wrapped it with cloth and tape to keep it from scarring her face anymore. So I couldnt wait to free her from it but I will have to wait. (357)
#2; Welcome Home
After a few days Indigo settled in nicely. She really doesnt have a problem with people contact since she wasnt physically abused. She just needed the right touch and some food to open up to us. Today was the day we introduced her to the barn, her stall, and the other kleeares. Indigo was so curious about everything and was definitely ready to be out of that paddock. She was the perfect little mare, standing still as I tried to finagle the halter over her awkwardly taped forelock. Once we left the paddock, she was a totally different horse! She tried to drag me all over to explore and sniff out everything!!! She was so strong, probably from tugging at that fence for so long! It probably was a bit worrisome to here to have her head tied to something again. I stopped her and had her finally stand as still as she could managed and gave her a carrot. She calmed a bit but it was still a fight to get her to leave things alone. Once we were finally in the barn, Indigo wanted in all the other stalls but hers. All the other klees were out the pasture. So she could get used to her stall. All the stalls are pretty identical. A huge sliding wood door with a metal bats into a "V" at the top so the horses can stick their heads out. They are large 8' by 8' wood stalls with mats on top of concrete. And small wood shavings onto of the mats for easy cleaning. With a water and feed buckets on the wall by the door and a large hay door with fresh hay. Once i got her in and halter off again she sniffed at the fresh water and hay and then walked the stall once. When i shut the door, she smelled the shavings and the went down to roll. She came up covered in shavings and happy about it. I went to the back gate and gave a loud whistle. My other 6 klees came running and each went into their respective stalls. My head stallion, Harmonitt, stopped at me and gave a sniff and nudge and headed to his stall. He always checks me over before he comes in. Indigo closely watched Harmonitt's action and whinnied at him. I fed everyone and went in for dinner. Later in the evening, I went out to the barn to check on Indigo. Sweet girl was laying down asleep in her shavings and snoring. I think she really loves the warmth of the barn. (433)
#3; A Spoonful of Sugar
With Indigo now settled in to her stall and doing good health wise, I have to try to get the barbed wire out of her mane and doctor up her wounds from the original fence. As well as deworm her, and give her some electrolytes and nutritional supplements. Sweet girl could also use a good bath, grooming, and hoof trimming. After she's fed I halter her and lead her out to the ties. I clip her the the stocks and start the long process of taking off the tape and removing the barbed wire. She was very leary of her forelock being pulled on but after a few reassuring pats she let me pull the tape off and unwrap the wire. I started untagling her long mane and strand by strand the barbed wire finally came out! As I brushed through her forelock I realized she had closed her eyes. I'm sure that was alot of weight lift from her head. I brushed the rest of her mane and tail, and led her the the wash racks. Once Indigo heard the water she started to freak out. I turned it down and sprayed her feet and let her get a drink. After she realized what it was she let me spray all over with the higher pressure on. She really enjoyed having the soap messaged into her coat. I carefully washed and rinsed her face and wounds. There were some really bad ones and some were simple scratches. Once she was fully rinsed and dried I took her back to the stocks to be fully groomed, farriered, and doctored. I rebrushed her mane and tail, which she enjoyed them not being knotted and tangled. Then brushed her and worked on her hooves. She was reluctant to let me hold them but she eventually gave in. My farrier came in and gave her a trim. She did not like the trimmers or the way it felt having her hooves cut. She danced around and kept trying to bite the farrier, poor guy. When he was done i gave her a carrot and quickly squeezed dewormer in her mouth with the carrot. Now comes the touchy part. I got out antiseptic spray and first aid ointment and started cleaning. She threw her head up and started stomping while i cleaned her face. I knew it hurt her but it had to be done. 404 I put the ointment on all her scratches and gashes and put her back in her stall. Good thing is she cant really lick it off! That evening i mixed gatorade into her water for electrolytes (which I had done for all my animals) and mixed in some extra supplements and Ensure to her food. She ate it all and went almost imediately to sleep. Poor girl. She had to do alot today and hasnt had that much excitment in who knows how long. (488)
#4; Making Friends
Indigo started to heal up nicely, so i thought it was time she graduated from being turned out in her private paddock to the big pasture with everyone else. After i let all the others out, i left the gate open and let out Indigo. She looked at me like she expected to go to her paddock but as soon as she heard me click to get her to go she took off after the others. Harmonitt and Ubalda were both very accepting but they are also super laid back, although Harmonitt keeps everyone in check. Rubina and Rowan, my mares, your the exact opposite. They had their cliche' which included them and Rowan's filly Sanue', so they kicked at Indigo and completely rejected her. I left her to find her place within my herd. She seemed to be doing okay on her own so I started my chores in the barn. After about half an hour, I heard alot of neighing and stopming and running. I dropped the poop scoop and ran to the gate to make sure Indigo was okay. When I looked outside she was running with another of my klees! She had made the most unlikely friend out of my herd. My Gida Yade! Gida Yade is my young colt and I guess that puts them at around the same age. Gida has always been a pretty boy and stuck very close to Harmonitt in fear of Rubina mudding up his gorgeous coat. With me he is super sweet, easy to handle, and not studish at all, though he loves to be groomed and show off for the young fillies. I guess Indigo is enough of a challenge for him for them to be friends! They were running around and bucking together and pulling on each others tails. It was sheer joy watching them play. Indigo will most definitely fill out and grow playing with that boy! (321)
#5; Exercise Routine
Indigo started getting really antsy being locked in her stall. I decided it was time to start working with her; we started with the basics. A slow walk on a lead rope around the arena seemed like the perfect start. After getting her out, and starting towards the gate, I could feel her tugging away trying to hurry. I had to yank back, urging her to slow down, because a quick start can lead to injuries. After clearing the gate, she slowed, staying right behind me as walked towards the center. She maintained her short distance, keeping a pace even with mine, and I could tell she thought this was boring. She wanted to run and get out and be free. I began lunging her, and had to slow her down early on because she had so much energy. Although it seemed so simple, I could tell this exercise made us grow closer. Soon enough, she began slowing, turning around when I changed arms, and maintaining a healthy speed. After some time, I could tell she had worked up a good pace. I pulled her towards the gate, and to her stall where I closed her in. Walking away, I heard her sigh, and laughed as I slid open the door to the shed to reveal her saddle. I tacked her up and lead her back to the arena. I had no plans to get on her the first time but she had done soo good with lunging i figured I could at least test the waters by lunging her with tack. After slapping the stirups and slinging a rope around she did not even flinch! I think she had done all of this before. I lunged her with the saddle and she gave one buck and then continued on perfectly just like before! I decided a few hours was enough for the first time. So I unsaddled her and left her in the arena to play with the huge ball. She loved it. I can tell she will be a great trail horse and I am so excited to get on her and see what she knows. (358)
#6; Final Evaluation
Today is the day!! The Kleeare Association come out to the barn to observe how Indigo is doing here and how much better health she is in. Indigo has really made huge strides towards getting in better health. Between having real meals and fresh pastures, playing with Gida Yade, and regular exercise, she has gained weight, muscle and fat. She is such a smart, sweet, and strong girl! I hope the Association sees what I see in her. When the Association arrived I had already let her out in the pasture so she disnt have to be couped up in her stall.
Knock-knock. "Mrs. Story?"
"Yes! Come on in! Indigo is in the pasture with my others."
A man in nice khakis and a dress shirt entered the barn and joined me at the back gate. "Can you bring her up? I would like to examine her and watch her work."
"Ofcourse! " I said as I went to get her halter. I gave a loud whistle and they all came running. I walked out and haltered Indigo, who was great as usual! I walked her into the barn and to the stocks to tie her up. Once tied up she gave me this look with wides eyes like she was saying "who is this guy! Should i bite him?!" I walked up and gave her a pat and she calmed herself. The gentleman walked around her poking and feeling. Taking her height and weight, also looking at her hooves, coat, mane and tail, and teeth.
"Can i see her in motion? Just some simple excercises will do."
"Sure! Lets go to the arena." I grabbed the lunge line and Indigo and headed out. The man stood by the gait as we worked. We started with a walk and then moved through each gait, going both ways. Then I attempted to back Indigo up and she complied although it wasnt perfectly straight.
"Thank you Mrs. Story, that is all I need to see. Feel free to turn her back out. I will meet you back in your barn. "
With how sturn her sounded I was worried he found something I did not know about! But I took her back to the pasture and put away her tack. The man was already back in the barn.
"Mrs. Story, your rescued Kleeare, Indigo, is..... doing spectacular! I am pleased with her progress and her health and officially approve you to be her owner! Thank you so much for working so hard and having the patience to see her through! I look forward to see her fully trained and what your girl can do. Have a wonderful day! " He handed me her papers, turned and left. I just stood there over filled worh joy. Indigo was mine at last.(468)
