I wasn't planning on going out to see Denali today, but a last minute cancellation of a lunch date freed up my day! (I can't say I was terribly sad, it meant I got to spend time with my girl.) When I got to the barn it was POURING. I hate the rain. The vet was doing teeth on some horses from a local rescue, and I helped clean up. I love helping her. I feel like I'm always learning, even if I'm just cleaning up the outside of bottles.
When she was done, her dad, who does Equine Facilitated Therapy started to work with a horse in the arena. We asked if we could bring Denali in and groom her while he was working. He asked me if he could see how she'd be for a therapy horse. Therapy horse? Sure! I wish I could have taken a video of what happened next, but it was that cool that I just stood there. We put Denali in the arena and told him of her need for 5 minutes of "down time" before we started working her. She did her thing. You can see it here:
(I'll come back to my thoughts on the video when I finish my story.) He walked around the round pen really slowly while she did her thing. It was so weird. She slowly noticed him and started to follow him. He made no motion towards her, and didn't even look in her direction. She still followed. He went into the round pen and she glued herself to him. For about 15 minutes she just followed him, licking, chewing, and relaxing. It was truly amazing. He didn't say anything while he was with her. When he came back out he told me that it was one of the most powerful sessions that he's ever had. I wish I knew more about EFT so I could know what it meant. I told him of the powerful connection I felt to her the day at the auction and how I could almost hear her asking me to save her. He said it didn't surprise him. It was pretty cool. He's going to evaluate her again a few times to see if she would make a good therapist. My pony, a therapist. I don't know why I am surprised by that. She has saved me from myself, I think she would do great!
As for the video, you can see a few examples of her neurological issues we still struggle with. I wish that I could say that she was "cured" and we'd go on. We'll always have this, and we'll always have to work on it. As the vet said, when she's calm, and in control, she does fine. When she is excited, that's when she has the nero signs. Regardless she's happy isn't she! God, I love this horse so much. She fills my soul with such joy, I don't know if I can get that from anything else. (Asides from the husband. I mean the husband puts up with the expensive horse.)
Ms. Slewy is shedding so bad right now. Mare. It's January. I was grooming her and she got spooked by another horse. I think the vet was worried that I was scared. Nope, nothing. No fear. It was nice. I also got to go near a trailer. I walked one of the rescues that got her teeth floated up to the trailer. It's the first time I've been near one. Now I need to practice with Denali and a trailer. (edit: near a trailer since our accident.)
Overall, it was a wonderful day. I hope I passed the test so I can come back and label today a "perfect day."
6 comments:
What do you mean, you've never been near a trailer? Really?
Can you point out where in the video we can see D's neurological signs? I don't know what to be looking for. What I see is a happy, energetic horse making the best of an opportunity to run around and roll in a round pen. And since round pens aren't all that big, I think she's doing a great job keep herself contained.
Very cool.
As for the video:
You can definitely see some moments where she's still NQR, but she looks much better than a lot of neurological, but happy horses I've met. She gives me such hope. What a super mare.
Great video. Man she's talented at that huge bronco buck! Impressive. :) I did notice some of the neuro signs, but she seems so happy and healthy. Take each day for what it is, enjoy her, and try not to worry about worst case scenario (my problem). I'm glad you're both happy. I can't wait to hear more about the therapy thing. :) That could be so much fun. I would love if my horse could help people. Maybe someday when he's older. :)
Hurray! You guys are starting to work together. Baby steps, right? Good luck!
At about 43 seconds you see her do her nero thing.
Also, I meant to say since our accident! :) Opps. Near a trailer since our accident.
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