Freya’s beautiful adult (ish) profile. She loves children.

She looks like a little girl playing dress-up. An awkward duck.

We are almost at the halfway point of White Sulphur Springs summer! Freya is 15 months old and her body is changing. She is growing every day to look more and more like an adult horse. Additionally, another curious change is happening with her…

While working with her over the last two months I’ve begun to be able to better see inside of her. Prior to that, she would look at me with some uncertainty during our trainings. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to follow me. She would do what I asked out of obedience, but there was not trust there yet. That has begun to change.

Now, the more I work with her, the more I find that she is trying to understand.  She is trying to find a way to do what I’m asking. And if I mess up, she’ll wait patiently until we can work together to figure it out. That doesn’t mean that outwardly amazing things are happening. We are still just lifting up feet, practicing turns, backing up and moving forward. But the manner of it has changed. Freya has calmed down. She is less flighty in her actions and personality. She’s more observant and curious. She is still very dominant in her personality. But she’s enjoying the connection to the other members of a herd–and to me.  Our teaching times have become very restful. She is eager to get started while she waits for me in the round pen. Initially, she was reactive and tentative. But now, she may still give a little hop when I ask her to move, but once in motion, she’s content. Her face and her eyes are soft.

She is also respecting my body language. When I pull myself up, she will stop in her tracks, look at me and wait for me to tell her what to do. Sometimes, she still barges into my space, but once I correct her–even while I correct her–her eyes stay soft. I’ve slid on and off her back a few times (she’s big!). Soon we will begin sitting on her for longer periods of time. I want her to understand that people can get on and get off and it doesn’t go on forever. I also want her to know that carrying people is pleasurable. With time, she is going to become one of the best horses at White Sulphur Springs.

I think she will understand that we humans sometimes need help, and she can help us. I have to be careful not to get too comfortable with her, because she’s still young and she’s very large; I don’t want her to inadvertently hurt me. But I also need to respect the fact that God has wired her in a certain way, and she is going to do what she was designed to do, no matter what I teach her. Right now in her world, things are good. She’s a free horse and greatly loved.

Love, Susanne

Our horses are a community affair. Would you consider donating for hay, farrier care, repairs to tack, medication, or even sponsoring Freya or your favorite horse? Please join us on the the horse adventure!