The Horse Whisperer

 

Etta Bay was only here for a little over a week. Colleen let us borrow her to be a temporary pasture pal for our sweet Apache, while my neighbor sends her horses over to the leased pasture across the road. Seeing my Apache all alone during the day broke my heart. She doesn’t seem stressed or panicked and Apache only calls out to them when they are first led away from their barn in the morning, and maybe a couple times during the day, just to make sure they are still there. Once they return her call, she’s reassured and seems to be getting used to the routine. But now that Etta Bay is back home with Colleen, I’m grateful that my neighbor brings her horses back to her barn at night because I know it is reassuring to my mare that she has her neighbor herd nearby. I think the llamas and goats do help to keep her company, but I’m sure Apache would agree that another horse is a much preferred pasture pal.

Colleen is helping us find another horse to be Apache’s companion, but also one we all can ride, too. Colleen offered to sell Etta Bay to me, but I’m hoping for a horse more like Apache. Etta Bay is a much more opinionated mare who will throw temper tantrums when she wants her way. Nothing much more than a few head tosses, yanks on the reins, and maybe a bucking fit or two, not as cranky-pants as my Baby Doll could often get, but still just a little too much ‘tude than I want to ride on a weekly basis. I’d like another horse my kids can ride, so we can ride together.

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My Daughter ~ The Horse Whisperer

 

As most folks know, children with Autism seem to have a special kinship with animals. My 7 yr old daughter, who has high-functioning autism (Aspergers Syndrome), is certainly no exception. Animals seem to want to be near her, even when she talks, sings, or moves in ways that typical children and humans don’t. Animals seem to pick up on her ‘different-ness’, as well as her gentle, understanding, generous, kind way she treats them. I’m often amazed at how animals tend to soften and move extra carefully when they’re around her. 

She seems to communicate with animals on such a deeper level than most of us ‘normal’ people do.

It’s rare that an animal tries to move away from her when she connects with them. It’s as if they are in her magical spell.

 

I love to watch my daughter interact with her animals and I hope that my camera isn’t so intrusive that she loses her focus.

Looks like Jen put a spell on Etta Bay?

 

She’s not overly affectionate, but she does seem to know when a hug is appropriate. I don’t think Etta Bay has received very many hugs from small children. But she stayed very still and seemed to soften in Jen’s arms.

And then my daughter seems to know the exact moment when to take the pressure away, leaving the animal wanting more.

 

 

Please ignore my daughter’s bare feet. Persuading her to wear shoes, especially in the summertime, is like trying to put shoes on a rattlesnake.

I am not sure how she managed to join-up with Etta Bay, and so quickly, but she did, and Etta Bay followed Jen all around the paddock for more than 15 minutes.

When my daughter stopped, Etta Bay stopped. When she circled, the mare circled, too.

 

Wherever Jen went, Etta Bay was right behind or beside. She was like Mary’s Little Lamb.

 

 

Apache and I stood together watching Etta Bay and Jen as they walked around the paddock. I found it interesting that, at any time, Etta Bay could have stopped following Jen and walked up to be with Apache and I…or to head up to the barn where there was a pile of hay waiting for her.

Instead she chose to remain joined-up with her special small human friend.

 

 

During the last few minutes I remembered to video tape what was happening. I think I was just too entranced by what I was seeing, in the beginning and forgot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When Colleen dropped off Etta Bay she warned us that this mare tends to be very difficult to catch.

 

But Colleen also said that she doesn’t spend much time with Etta Bay, except to catch her, ride her or have others ride her. Etta Bay is a hard working horse and is one of the horses Colleen uses in her guided trail rides and classes.

I believe that during her brief time spent here with us, she found her softer, more willing and giving side.

 

 

She was certainly not difficult to catch.

When Colleen showed up to take Etta Bay home, she was surprised at how easy it was to just walk up to her, halter in hand. She commented that she loved how Etta Bay didn't run away and she stood still for haltering and petting. I could tell that Colleen was pleasantly surprised.