So as most of you know, I am back to work the 12 hr shifts now as a nurse. Recently, I was working the night shift in the ICU and new that Todd was going to be busy working the sale colts for our upcoming sale on September 21, 2013 in Great Falls, Montana. I told Todd that I thought it would be fine if he took Maisie (turned 6 on Aug 24th) with him but he had better leave Ashlyn at home with her grandma. Though Maisie lives, eats and breaths horses, Ashlyn is "cautiously getting to know them." Everyday that Todd is riding in the arena barn or any where else on the ranch for that matter Maisie is right there literally soaking it all in. She has amazed Todd and I from the get go in how observant she is and how she then applies it to her pony Sunny D.
Well, it was about noon when the bunch came in for lunch and of course Maisie had to wake me to tell me that I just had to come watch her come and break "Nibbles" of course I was like sure just let mamma get a little bit more awake (had been sleeping 3.5 hrs at this time). In my mind she meant that she was standing out side the working pen, while Todd was in the inside working the colts with Maisie maybe getting to pet one every once in a while. Todd was pretty quick to say "You gotta see this and you should bring your IPAD." So of course then I was pretty intrigued and decided there would be no going back to sleep after that and off we all went.
So as a mother, who wants to keep her child safe, I can honestly say I pretty much "freaked out" when I saw Todd let Maisie go into the pen with the "Nibbles" all on her own. I was about ready to pull her out by her collar all the while giving Todd a good lashing himself for even thinking of allowing this to take place (what the ???????? was he thinking). Todd was quick to assure me that it was gonna be just fine and to start recording.
I was pretty amazed at what I saw through the recording of the IPAD, in fact I was truly baffled that this little colt whom until today had only been handled 2 times and for about 15 min each time. "Nibbles" proceeded to allow Maisie to "sack him out", pick up his feet, throw a coat over his head and all the while never make a wrong move. Complete trust on both participants part. AMAZING.
When I got back to the house that night, Maisie wanted to watch the video. Todd and I let her watch it and she was pretty impressed with herself. Then Todd and I watched it and we were in complete awe of our 6 year old horse whisperer. We both quickly noted that while she was leading "Nibbles" she was "releasing pressure" and applying pressure at all the right times. She stayed in the safe zone of the horse at most times as well (maybe not quite when she was playing with his feet)! She was even able to get the colt to back up with pressure to all the correct areas. Because of the wind you cannot hear her, but Maisie is explaining her every move to her younger sister Ashlyn and she had a reason for all of request of "Nibbles." It is truly exciting to know that at least one of our daughters is horse crazy and that the philosophy of "teaching our girls the basics and reasons why the basics are done" before turning them loose on their own to ride and partake in equine events is paying off. Not only for a solid foundation but for safety reasons as well. Don't forget to post below and tell Maisie what you think, she is always open to learning more!
"Nibbles" is Lot 77 TS PERKS STARLIT SYMBOL (PERKS STATUS SYMBOL X STARLITE ROYAL SUGAR) in our 18th annual production sale. His sire is an own proven barrel horse by DASH FOR PERKS and his dam is a proven and a proven producer out of PADDYS IRISH WHISKEY. "Nibbles" has full and half siblings that are proven in Open Reining, barrel racing, breakaway, halter and Ranch Versatility. He has a full brother and a half brother that are being kept as stallions and he has a full sister that is currently in training with Judy Myllamaki and will be headed to AZ this winter for barrel futurities.
