Horse Training: After much Searching...

My parents blessed me with Promise on December 19th 2011. Full of fluff and spirit she stole my heart. Through my horse training journey I have learned that my feelings are not always mutral. It takes respect before I ever achieve their loyalty and love. I spend a lot of time "relationship training" and often use treats as a way to reward their good behavior. It makes training a little difficult when your horse doesn't want anything to do with you. I can't even get the little thing to nibble a carrot, she won't touch a apple, and don't even get me started about horse treats! After almost three months of pain staking searching and many hours of attempts of winning this little girls heart, I am finally seeing hope. She has gone from kicking and biting to tolerating and now to almost enjoying my company. I was very excited by this improvement in her attitude but I still wanted a way to reward her for her good behavior. I tried again apples and carrots. Shredded, chopped, mixed with oats, but nothing held her interest! She didn't more than sniff the food I offered her.
This morning as I snacked on some frozen milk chocolate chips I thought of how much my sweet Miracle enjoyed chocolate doughnuts then the idea hit me.... What does most every girl love more than anything else? Yes! CHOCOLATE!!!! I excitedly walked into the barn stopped and listened for her soft nicker that I have become accostomed to hearing each morning. There is was so I continued my way to her stall, held out my hand with great expectation, felt her breath deep the aroma of the sweet chocolate, felt her soft wiskers tickle my hand, and then watched as she licked up one chocolate chip at a time! It may not be the healthiest treat but it is a start in the right direction. I'll keep you updated as we go.
Have a great evening!
Only because of His Love,
        Bethany Joy

Horse Training: My circus horse

Life is sometimes a circus but even more so when you have a circus horse. I have been advised in the past to sell him to the circus while I still have a chance but I think that would just be plain cruel to the circus. I don't think they want all their lions being let loose or their clowns being trampled or their elephants being trammatized so for the safety of the circus I have decided to keep Miracle to myself. Other than keeping me in shape, Miracle provides me with much entertainment. What other horse do you know is able to excape from every possible confinning area, baptize chickens (oh yes, he is great at picking up chickens and throwing them into his water trough), herding cattle, sheep and other horses all by himself (I will often see him herding the cattle or sheep into different parts of the pasture and Lord help the poor lamb that wanders out of the boundries Miracle has set). When I first purchased Miracle all of these things drove me crazy! I didn't know what to do with this extreamly talented horse but after about a year or so we figured out how to use his gifts for good and not evil. My arab/paint is an amazing cutting horse (he taught himself) and has helped me many times with our little herd of cattle. He also watches the other livestock like a guardian and will often let me know as soon as a lamb has excaped, a cow is calving, or a stranger is on the property. Yes, I will at times have to chase down my horse and possibly a cow or two when he decides that he needs a little walk around town but he is everything any girl could want in a horse. Strong willed, tender hearted, playful, georgous, smart, and most of all mine!

Until next time...
Bethany Joy Wood