Bec & Promises' Story
Hi my name is Bec and I have recently joined Epona's Pastures as their Marketing Manager. In addition to the work that I do behind the scenes, I am also a passionate horse lover and have recently taken in one of the rescues to foster. This page is dedicated to a horse named 'Promise", please join me in our journey together...On Friday 17th June I attended the Pakenham Sales. While there I came across a beautiful standy mare who was not only underweight, but had no life left in her eyes. The 'spark' had vanished. I stood back and watched people approach her. She wanted nothing to do with humans, just seemed as though she would have been happy to die.
I entered her pen and she immediately turned around to approach. She placed her head in my arms while I whispered in her ear and stroked her face. It was then that I promised her I would rescue her. Unfortunately I lost the bid and she was herded in to a small holding yard like she was just another number. It broke my heart to see her go for I felt I had let her down.
I contacted my friend Inger and asked for her help. I knew who had Promise but had no way of contacting him. Inger immediately jumped in to action and found where this beautiful girl was located and convinced this man to sell her to us.
I entered her pen and she immediately turned around to approach. She placed her head in my arms while I whispered in her ear and stroked her face. It was then that I promised her I would rescue her. Unfortunately I lost the bid and she was herded in to a small holding yard like she was just another number. It broke my heart to see her go for I felt I had let her down.
I contacted my friend Inger and asked for her help. I knew who had Promise but had no way of contacting him. Inger immediately jumped in to action and found where this beautiful girl was located and convinced this man to sell her to us.
Introducing "Promise" - 22 June, 2011
Inger and I travelled to Euroa today to pick up the beautiful Promise. After lack of sleep due to excitement at seeing this darling again, we finally made it.
WOW, what a herd of horses there were. At first it was difficult to pick her out for there were a few black standardbred mares, but it didn't take long before she was noticed, the halter was placed on her and she loaded beautifully on to the float.
She travelled wonderfully and is now safe, warm and fed in my paddock. I have given many kisses and even more cuddles and I was so relieved to look her in the eyes and see the appreciation she had for me not giving up on her.
I am truly looking forward to rehabilitating this gorgeous girl and eventually seeing her under saddle.
WOW, what a herd of horses there were. At first it was difficult to pick her out for there were a few black standardbred mares, but it didn't take long before she was noticed, the halter was placed on her and she loaded beautifully on to the float.
She travelled wonderfully and is now safe, warm and fed in my paddock. I have given many kisses and even more cuddles and I was so relieved to look her in the eyes and see the appreciation she had for me not giving up on her.
I am truly looking forward to rehabilitating this gorgeous girl and eventually seeing her under saddle.
Games And Desensitising - 1 July, 2011
Today was a day of games and desensitizing. Promise was such a calm girl and very comfortable with everything. We started off with our game of hide-n-seek. She has her neck rug cover her head and she searches for her food whilst being blind-folded. She loves it.
Next was tarp work. She didn't batter an eyelid either. We started with her following the tarp, then progressed to the tarp being rubbed on her body and legs then finally up over her back. Also spent a bit time with jumping on objects that make funny sounds and teaching her to line-up beside an object so as a person can climb aboard.
Such a delight is this girl and cannot wait to see her under saddle.
Next was tarp work. She didn't batter an eyelid either. We started with her following the tarp, then progressed to the tarp being rubbed on her body and legs then finally up over her back. Also spent a bit time with jumping on objects that make funny sounds and teaching her to line-up beside an object so as a person can climb aboard.
Such a delight is this girl and cannot wait to see her under saddle.
Education Is Part Of The Journey - 10 July, 2011
Promise has certainly shown us how adaptable and trusting this breed is. She has watched us ride our other horses and seemed to take a keen interest in sussing out why we would be on their back instead of in a sulky. So, with her interest peaking, I decided to test her out to see what she thinks and how she feels about the possibility of becoming a riding horse. Promise absorbed every bit of it. We climbed up on our mouting block and slowly placed our weight on her. Not one reaction from her - marvelous. After a few days of this, I decided it was time to get on. All I can say is WOW!!! Thank you Promise for taking such good care of me.
Promise Attends Float Training - 31 July, 2011
Being such a beautiful sunny day, it was time for Promise to under-go some float training. Attached the float, dropped the tail gate and luckily for me - Promise caught ME. I walked Prom to the float and on she went, stood perfectly still, waited for her treat (licorice), then once asked, unloaded. PERFECT!!
This is the journey so far with Promise and her weight gaining.
Trot Work, Lunging and Some Fun In The Sun - 27 August, 2011
Now that Promise has put on some good weight and is feeling good in herself, Hope and I decided it was time to start an exercise regime for her. With a visit to Horseland, I purchase a lovely white saddle cloth, white bandages and a new heavy duty lunge rope.
At first the "I have no idea what you want from me" thought raced through Prom's head and off she sped, tripping then throwing in a healthy and delightful buck and squeal. She soon settled and found her balance somewhat. In the end we were able to get some lovely trot work out of her without too much rushing.
After this, Hope decided it was time to climb aboard with Prom all saddled up looking great. Not one bit of concern from this gorgeous horse and she has some lovely flexion and yielding, but best of all BRAKES!!
At first the "I have no idea what you want from me" thought raced through Prom's head and off she sped, tripping then throwing in a healthy and delightful buck and squeal. She soon settled and found her balance somewhat. In the end we were able to get some lovely trot work out of her without too much rushing.
After this, Hope decided it was time to climb aboard with Prom all saddled up looking great. Not one bit of concern from this gorgeous horse and she has some lovely flexion and yielding, but best of all BRAKES!!
Transformation Of A Scared, Lifeless Horse Into A Confident Mare - 27 October, 2011
The journey that I am travelling with Promise has been educational and spiritual on so many levels. Promise continues to shine through and being a part of her growth is an experience I wish every person could witness and/or be a part of first hand.
In a couple of weeks we shall take the next big step together by completing our very first trail ride. This will be a huge test of her trust in me and mine in her! I am not the most confident of riders but I feel that she will take care of me.
Over the past few weeks we have worked on 'forward' on the ground which then transitioned to in the saddle. A HUGE thank you to Andrea of Happy Hacks Equine for sharing her knowledge and improving the communication between this wonderful horse and myself. So without further delay..... MORE PICS - of course hahahaha.
In a couple of weeks we shall take the next big step together by completing our very first trail ride. This will be a huge test of her trust in me and mine in her! I am not the most confident of riders but I feel that she will take care of me.
Over the past few weeks we have worked on 'forward' on the ground which then transitioned to in the saddle. A HUGE thank you to Andrea of Happy Hacks Equine for sharing her knowledge and improving the communication between this wonderful horse and myself. So without further delay..... MORE PICS - of course hahahaha.
December, 2011 - MERRY CHRISTMAS
Well, Promise has now been in care for just on 6 months. During that time not only has she put on weight, but she has grown in stature. This is a fabulous indication that Prom is happy and healthy. She most certainly is loved not only by me, but by all those that come into contact with her!
All horses are special, but this mare has touched the lives of so many people. In fact, Promise is about to become a 'healing' horse for a young girl suffering with anorexia. This beautiful young girl not only suffers with this debilitating disease, but she the harsh outlook she has about herself is heart breaking. Unfortunately this young girl has also lost her passion for horses. With the assistance of Promise's journey and Prom's gentle ways, I am hoping that together we can give this beautiful young girl a will to fight.
MERRY CHRISTMAS to all the supporters and followers of Epona's Pastures. Thank you for sharing in not only MY journey, but the journey of all the other residents at EP. Stay safe xoxox
All horses are special, but this mare has touched the lives of so many people. In fact, Promise is about to become a 'healing' horse for a young girl suffering with anorexia. This beautiful young girl not only suffers with this debilitating disease, but she the harsh outlook she has about herself is heart breaking. Unfortunately this young girl has also lost her passion for horses. With the assistance of Promise's journey and Prom's gentle ways, I am hoping that together we can give this beautiful young girl a will to fight.
MERRY CHRISTMAS to all the supporters and followers of Epona's Pastures. Thank you for sharing in not only MY journey, but the journey of all the other residents at EP. Stay safe xoxox
Promise - December 28, 2011
To all our followers.... thank you for being a part of the journey. It is my honour to let everyone know that I have offered Promise a permanent home with me. I am fairly confident that you could all see this coming considering the bond we share and the lengths I went too to ensure her safety.
If anyone ever wishes to meet this gorgeous girl in the flesh, you are most welcome to come to my home and give her a kiss and pat. So to the continued journey, please stay tuned for regular updates xox
If anyone ever wishes to meet this gorgeous girl in the flesh, you are most welcome to come to my home and give her a kiss and pat. So to the continued journey, please stay tuned for regular updates xox
