Introducing "Chloe" - June 2009
Chloe Has Her Hooves Trimmed
Our dedicated farrier, Colin, pays a visit to trim our newest arrival. Colin was impressed with her hooves and believes they are strong and in great condition. Oh, and she was very well behaved!
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A Vet Visit
After three weeks settling in with her new paddock mates, Chloe is proving to be a lovely mare with a very gentle nature. She was a little wary of us on arrival however is always happy to be caught for some attention and has been growing in confidence daily.
We have been keen to find out if she is in sound condition and on Friday 15th August Dr Tony came out to assess her. First on the list was a dental examination. Although there were no major problems and no extractions necessary, Tony believes her teeth hadn't been tended to for some years, so he filed away the sharp edges which will make her more comfortable in the future.
Next, we wanted to assess the condition of her back and neck. Tony gave her a chiropractic manipulation to which she responded very positively. She was a little stiff on her right side, but with good flexion, Tony was able to release the stiffness and overall he thinks we have a strong, healthy horse on our hands. With good legs to boot! A great result and we look forward to bringing her into work.
We have been keen to find out if she is in sound condition and on Friday 15th August Dr Tony came out to assess her. First on the list was a dental examination. Although there were no major problems and no extractions necessary, Tony believes her teeth hadn't been tended to for some years, so he filed away the sharp edges which will make her more comfortable in the future.
Next, we wanted to assess the condition of her back and neck. Tony gave her a chiropractic manipulation to which she responded very positively. She was a little stiff on her right side, but with good flexion, Tony was able to release the stiffness and overall he thinks we have a strong, healthy horse on our hands. With good legs to boot! A great result and we look forward to bringing her into work.
Time For Some TLC - 16 August, 2009
Chloe enjoyed a bit of tlc today.. We have discovered her soft spot! Whilst Lynda groomed her for over an hour, she patiently stood still and lapped up the attention being lavished on her (even in the rain!) She is calm and relaxed on the ground now that she has settled in, and we are confident that we will see the same behaviour under saddle, in true Standie style...
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We Test Chloe Under Saddle - 22 September, 2009
Over the past six weeks Chloe has been relaxing into her new environment, with her confidence growing considerably. Although she is a little protective of herself, with a regular routine of feeding and handling we have gained her trust and her willingness to join in is growing daily.
With a clean bill of health from our Veterinarian "Tony", it was time to assess how comfortable Chloe was with a saddle on. We had been informed that she was broken to saddle after her racing days and as was not at all worried about Asher on her back, this is obviously the case. Chloe was a little tense at first and as we suspect she has not been ridden for some time we kept her on the lead for the first ride. She soon relaxed and we feel confident that she will progress nicely under saddle with some regular work in the next months.
With a clean bill of health from our Veterinarian "Tony", it was time to assess how comfortable Chloe was with a saddle on. We had been informed that she was broken to saddle after her racing days and as was not at all worried about Asher on her back, this is obviously the case. Chloe was a little tense at first and as we suspect she has not been ridden for some time we kept her on the lead for the first ride. She soon relaxed and we feel confident that she will progress nicely under saddle with some regular work in the next months.
We will begin in the round yard with Chloe, working on her ground skills, lateral flexion and basic responses and plan to introduce her to pleasure riding in the forest as her ground skills are consolidated. Chloe is of strong, tall and athletic build, and with the right training we believe she may just have the goods to go on to be suitable for eventing. We will keep you posted as her potential unfolds..
In the round yard - 28.09.08
Inger introduced Chloe to the round yard today. Once Chloe had achieved some focus, Inger began to assess her basic responses, with Chloe trying very hard and responding well.
Our good friend Charlie stepped up and gave Chloe the chance to develop some lateral flexion. To begin with she was quite stiff but with calm persistance from Charlie, she began to loosen up on many levels!
Inger works with Chloe to improve her backing-up skills. It's important to address the "ever go places" mentality of th ex-racehorse and consolidating the back-up response helps the horse to slow down and start thinking.
Over the afternoon, Chloe responded really well to Charlie and Inger's requests and we were encouraged by her calm, responsive attitude to what was being asked of her.
Over the afternoon, Chloe responded really well to Charlie and Inger's requests and we were encouraged by her calm, responsive attitude to what was being asked of her.
Chloe Takes A Bath - 29 January, 2009
It has been a very hot couple of weeks and what better way to cool down than a refreshing bath with the garden hose. Chloe seemed to enjoy every minute of it and stood perfectly still while Matt and Inger fussed over her with shampoo's and Conditioners. Chloe certainly had a shine about her by the time she was finished.
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Chloe Continues Her Round Yard Training - 30 January, 2009
We have continued with Chloe's ground training in the round yard and she is now working well on the free lunge. Because Chloe is such a large horse and she has predominently come from a harness background, much of the training focus with Chloe has been to soften her through the neck and asking her to work with flexion. In these photos we are free lunging Chloe with side reins to assist her in building different muscles through her back and her neck.
We Head Out On The Trails - 4 February, 2009
Having ridden Chloe with confidence in the round yard over the last week it was time to see how she would behave out on the trails. It was 'Lynda' who took Chloe out on her first trail ride and Chloe proved to be a wonderful, relaxed horse the whole ride.
Lynda rode Chloe out through the forest at a walk and a trot. Chloe was so relaxed that Lynda had her on a very loose rein and was thrilled with her easy manner and responsiveness.
Chloe Has Been Adopted - June, 2009
Most of the recent training and work with Chloe has been done by one of our volunteers 'Matt,' and as the bond between horse and handler grew it became evident that Matt was going to have a hard time letting her go. Matt has made the decision to adopt Chloe and she will enjoy a life as a pleasure hack out on the trails.
Photos to follow soon.
Photos to follow soon.
