Since I last wrote about Annie, we have had a breakthrough!
Last time, we had reached the point where she would touch me (nosing my head, arm, cheek or sucking my hair), but I was not allowed to touch her intentionally. I could ‘accidentally’ kiss her nose or touch her mouth with a finger – if her face was near those areas, eating. But, I was not allowed to outwardly state that I was going to touch her.
Well… then I went away for a few days (with Hubby), and I think she got lonely – or missed the treats, more likely.
When I came back, she not only nickered at me in a very excited way, but she came right up to me and stuck her face right in mine. She was trying anything to get a treat…
This is where we left off… she was willing to hang with me as long as I didn’t try to touch her.
She would get very close…
HERE IS THE PHOTO JOURNAL (sorry for the blur but it was difficult to hold my phone and take pics during this exchange).
As soon as she saw me after I was gone for 2 days, she nickered and put her nose right in my face. She wanted company and treats!
I flat out told her that ‘today was the day’ and I needed to be able to touch her in order to give her treats. And she was good with it!
I started at her shoulder.
Then she moved backwards but I kept my hand on her so I ended up at her nose. (Then I backed up…)
She came forward again so this time I reached for her upper neck, near the ears. She let me although she was a bit nervous. I’m guessing she had been touched previously – maybe when she was little.
She backed up again and I just kept my hand steady. She wasn’t frightened or skittish, just doing what they do when first touched. It felt weird to her but she was OK – especially with a treat!
Here she is raising her head and backing up. I just kept my hand constant. She could move away, or come forward and get a reward.
Clearly she likes treats because she came back and let me touch her a lot on her neck and chest. I gave her a good rub and tried to scratch the itchy, dry parts.
Here she is settling down and letting me touch her neck – she loved me scratching under her throat! It was hard for her to admit that she liked it, but she did.
Here she is, amazed that we did that and it felt so good! She wanted more treats.
After being such a good girl (and me feeling assured that she would come to me), I decided to reward her with opening her paddock to the outside pasture.
She stayed with me (and the food).
I stepped out and beckoned to her. She thought about it but stayed with her food.
A very good girl. Contented. And, looking a bit more pregnant now that she is settled and eating regularly!
I DIDN’T HAVE MY CAMERA BUT…
I let her out all night into her fancy, large paddock. At around 2am, I went outside because I heard a noise. I thought it might have been her… it wasn’t. She was totally fine and came up to the rails when she heard me.
The next morning, she was fresh and happily waiting for her breakfast. I fed her inside of her old, smaller paddock and she went in willingly. I know I can get her in there, no worries.
All is moving along. She is a very kind-eyed, sweet , friendly mare.
WE ARE VERY CLOSE to our goal for helping BHFER, our October Bucket Fund Rescue! Click here to read the story!
Click the image to read BHFER’s story and donate!
That question mark was supposed to be a smile. :)
This is such fantastic news, congratulations! Dawn, you are rocking “No Agenda Time” (Joe Camp)!! This is so cool. I hope you’ll continue to update us!
Annie looks so sweet, and she’s got the softest eyes. And she’s so pretty! Love that right hind foot?
Here’s what I’m talking about:
http://thesoulofahorse.com/blog/no-agenda-time-join-up-without-a-round-pen/