shekaberry
SAFE Volunteer
SAFE Volunteer Coordinator
Posts: 1,521
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Post by shekaberry on Jan 22, 2009 21:42:11 GMT -5
Well, yeah. Her personality will never be trained out of her. She simply does not have the puppy-dog-pocket-pony personality. She is a less-scary-and-shorter version of Tessa
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Post by cat67 on Jan 23, 2009 1:54:11 GMT -5
I haven't worked with Whiskey, just met her, but I suspect what you guys are seeing is a typical cowhorse personality. Basically "don't bother me unless there is a job to do, and if you show weakness, I'm going to walk on you." If you go to a barn with a lot of horses used for roping or steer wrestling, they all have that attitude...alpha, pushy, smart. If they respect you, they'll work their butts off for you. If they don't, your butt will wind up in the dirt. And they know which category you fit into within the first ten seconds!
My old mare Buffy is exactly like this. She'll cow-kick at me when I adjust her blanket (or bite at me if I'm far enough forward). If she advances aggressively toward you, ears pinned and you back down, she won't give up until she's chased you out of the pasture. I've seen her do this to grown men, always makes me giggle. Yet, Buffy had a stellar show career, with points in 9 events. I suspect Whiskey's the same personality. Channel that confidence and aggression into something constructive, and you have a superstar performer.
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Post by mswan on Jan 23, 2009 11:09:59 GMT -5
Well put!
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shekaberry
SAFE Volunteer
SAFE Volunteer Coordinator
Posts: 1,521
|
Post by shekaberry on Jan 23, 2009 11:24:12 GMT -5
So true, Cat. My point was that that kind of personality would not be suitable for a beginner or part-timer, no matter how un-spooky she is. Krabask on the other hand would be a perfect beginner horse. He is quiet, forgiving and steady. An ideal beginner mount.
I would love to see Whiskey work cows, I'd love to try it with her, but wouldn't even know where to start or go.
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Post by cat67 on Jan 24, 2009 0:25:18 GMT -5
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Post by jaybird on Jan 24, 2009 18:38:08 GMT -5
hey Cathy! Thank you so much for writing about Whiskey on the Fugly blog!! That's great exposure for her. ;D
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Post by schwung on Jan 24, 2009 21:28:34 GMT -5
Great timing! We had a new volunteer work with Whiskey today and I took some pictures and a little video. Whiskey was a very good girl....yes she is a bit pushy on the ground but as long as you are firm with her she will be respectful. Under saddle, she was very good. She goes willingly forward, stops willingly, backs up willingly. She needs a little work on her steering, as I don't think she is used to working in a large arena and tends to get lost if she doesn't have a wall on one side of her and falls over her outside shoulder. She's still a little fussy about contact on her mouth and will throw her head in the air a bit, although the longer you work her the less she does this. Her natural head carriage is nice and low and while she looks great in western tack, she's got a cute enough trot to do english too, and I hope to get another video of her in english tack soon. Hopefully we will now have some volunteers that are able to work her on a consistent basis. This was the first time the volunteer rode her and Whiskey's first ride in quite a while, so they only did walk and trot work. Pictures: Video coming shortly!
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Post by schwung on Jan 24, 2009 21:43:34 GMT -5
Here she is!
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Post by schwung on Jan 24, 2009 21:58:23 GMT -5
And another one, just walking:
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Post by horsewrangler on Jan 24, 2009 22:00:07 GMT -5
I had a BLAST ridding Whiskey today. She has TONS of potential doing western/english. I really really enjoyed ridding her today. Her natural head set is beautiful, moves off your leg nicely and shes fun. Maybe she tosses her head but thats EASY to work through. Shes a NICE horse!!!!!!
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Post by coconut on Jan 25, 2009 1:07:21 GMT -5
Whiskey looks great! I'm sure it was a fun ride. What a very different looking horse she has blossomed into compared to her photos from 2007.
I think that says a lot about the great work that has been done on her behalf by everyone who has cared for her all the way along her journey with SAFE. Someone's going to see this horse one day and realize that a treasure has been discovered & ride her off into the sunset to start her forever life!
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Post by dressagedancer on Jan 25, 2009 9:27:18 GMT -5
WoW Julie you did an awesome job with Whiskey.. You go girl...I think Julie deserves a big thank you........
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Post by schwung on Jan 25, 2009 12:21:15 GMT -5
Yes, of course, Julie did a great job with Whiskey and we are very grateful for her generously donated time! Thank you Julie!
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Post by horsewrangler on Jan 25, 2009 15:00:31 GMT -5
If you would like someone to continue her training further in helping to find her a great home, I would love to help out. I have experience trianing horses and Whiskey has lots of potential. All she needs is consistancy :-) I love her. I am training my 4 yr old right now, had his first saddle on yesterday. He looked soooo handsome, i love him :-)
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Post by horsewrangler on Feb 16, 2009 19:50:22 GMT -5
Hey coconut, do you have those pictures you took saturday of Whiskey's head, I REALLY wanted to see them :-)
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