I'm going to elaborate on Seaton over the coming months. You can see photos of him on the Monty Roberts Horsemanship Fan page https://www.facebook.com/groups/1444288552464378/
He was a rescue some years ago in a very poor state, whipping/rope cuts on his legs, which still have left scars today. The old chap that rescued him loved him dearly for the 10 years he had him, but he only every kept him as a pet not a riding horse.
When the owner died he ended up coming to the field near me to a lovely gentle young lady on loan and she thought for the rest of his days, but as soon as the head collar came off she couldn't catch him, which is where I became involved.
All the work done with Seaton has been done completely at liberty in a 2ish acre field because of his past, so it's taken months to achieve where we are today.
A little set back recently happened where he was whisked away by the owners 'thoughtful' relatives, because the widow couldn't afford to keep him, which was horrific not only for Seaton and his companion, but also the whole herd of horses where we rent land. I've never felt such quietness in a deadly way when he was taken. 3 days later we had him back, injured, lame and more scared and nervous than before. the thoughtful relatives gave him to a young girl as a ride able project, it was when I showed him he wasn't just a small project they fairly threw him back at us. He's now back with his companion mare.
More on his journey to come and your thoughts will always be of value if I'm missing something ;D
Mel
x
It's all about the horse!
Good grief.... I'm stumped for words except to say thank God they came to their senses.
Amen to that Kicki! This is an awful tale Mel, but take heart in that it could have been worse - at least the young girl wasn't hurt but poor Seaton...Looking forward to hearing more about him.
good luck mel! I'm glad you have him back. Poor guy. Thank goodness he has you!
Thanks guys, it's going to be an interesting journey with him. :D more to come......
Hi Mel,
Bless you for coming onto the path of this horse again!
We'll be with you on this journey!
Best of luck,
Miriam
Hi Mel. Poor Seaton has been on a real roller coaster ride. Given that humans can be quite perverse creatures is there any chance the widow would sign over ownership & thereby relieve herself of any further responsibility for Seaton? It would be so awful for all those trying to benefit him if he were taken again or worse, they decide to put him down. Sorry to raise such a negative thought but if he was handed back enthusiastically now might be the time to ask. Wishing you the best of luck in this. Cheers. Jo.
Mel, I so-ooo very thankful that there are people in this world like you and all of the folks that have commented about you and Seaton on this forum. All that I can say is that Seaton will know what you have done for him. You will ride down the trail a little taller.. MANY BLESSINGS Bud
Hi Jo, all taken care of ;)
Bud - I think we're all on that same boat and it's good to be connected with you ;) he's got a back issue I need to sort first before considering riding and I need a a round pen.
Miriam, has to be if he keeps crossing my path. Can't ignore that can I.
This week we've addressed barging, since he came back he's been barging out of the shelter after he's had food and nearly knocked the lady that's looking after him too over. Not good as she's pregnant. I watched him do it and it's out of blind panic he's doing it. This is ever since they caught him in there to take him away. To deal with this I immediately became bossy mare, sent him right away from the herd to tell him off (the lady and her horse) and wouldn't allow him back near us until he started to listen. I do this using the same process as join up, send away but then as we're in a large field to keep him near me I ask for a circle with my body language and he circles me until I see the signs of join up. At liberty this is. I get all the signs up to a slight drop of the head, but if I take it any further he gets stressed so that slight drop is enough to stop for now. He doesn't join up though, he stands and watches as I stand between the herd and him. When I then relax and mix back with the herd, he should come and join us but he doesn't and he still stands and watches. Gradually he'll take a few steps forward, then watches again. Be glad when I have a round pen, it does speed up the trust issues quickly.
I have all the time and patience in the world for him, all in his good time.
Much love to you all, have a good weekend.
Mel
x
Really glad I wrote that, just re reading through it again and he's joining up with me the same was it would happen for a new horse in a herd. When I do herd integration with other peoples horses this is exactly the same pattern I see between the horses when I had leadership over to the hierarchy horse, which can take weeks for full integration. Pleased we're on the right track! ;)