Cherokee Dawn settles in at last

[altivo]

Some of you remember what a difficult time I had in the spring of 2005 deciding to let my mare's foal, Dawn, go. I had never intended to keep her, but after she was born and we cared for her all the way to two years, I was too attached. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, I found that I simply could not manage a wild teenager (this is NOT news folks) and ultimately I had to find a new home for her. Our friends John and Linda helped out, taking her temporarily (they had 16 other horses at the time and much more experience than we have) and then placing her with a family in Wisconsin.

Yesterday John passed these photos on to us. Dawn is working nicely under saddle and in harness, and her new owners even let their children ride her. To us this is amazing. But she's a three year old now, and is away from the foster fathers who spoiled her so badly. I'm sure she did some pouting and complaining last summer as they put her to work, but judging by these photos of her in light harness, she has got the idea now and even seems to be enjoying it.

	Dawn suits up Getting into harness, and not making a fuss about it either, or so it appears. I knew this could be done, but I just was not the person who could do it.
	And off for a spin Looks like a nice even trot to me. All I can do is bow to superior skills in training. And breathe a sigh of relief that she has found a place where she is wanted and appears to be calm and comfortable.

Comments

[pioneer11.livejournal.com]

Awr. Go Dawn!

*I think she looks nice in the harness myself*

[altivo.livejournal.com]

I agree. But even more, they report that she is perfectly gentle and cooperative, no more temper tantrums and striking out. That is the really good news.

[pioneer11.livejournal.com]

*pets her nice and gives her an apple*

[murakozi.livejournal.com]

She looks good. Hard to tell, but in the second picture she looks like she's easily distracted by things around her while she's working. That's not unexpected in a 3 year old though.

And as for getting her into harness more easily, remember, she was a 2 year old back when you were doing it. A year's growth can make a lot of difference.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Heh. Believe me, I never tried to put a harness on her. We had enough trouble just getting her to walk politely on a lead. When she first left out place and went out to John's, she decided she didn't like ground work and actually jumped out of a round pen. Yes, one of those portable metal ones with six foot high panels. Cleared it perfectly, he says, didn't even tick it with a hoof. Instead of Dawn I should have named her Deer. Once out, she got all sheepish though and decided she wanted back in, so she went to the gate and stood there until he opened it. ;p

[hellmutt.livejournal.com]

Looks like you raised a cutie, dads.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

*snicker*

We raised a spoiled brat. Fortunately, other folks have put some discipline into her.