Getting to know Woody, by Peter Schumann

When I arrived at Hidden Cave Ranch the day of the Tornados (Friday) and Woody was in a box in the barn.
He watched me curiously when I did approach…



Such a cute face…

Used to my nine very well handled and approachable Curlies in Germany it was the first time I had to deal with a “wild” horse.
He was very shy and it was quite a difficult task to put his halter on. As he did not let me approach from his right side I had to put a lead rope around his neck (which was quite a difficult task… ;-) …) and then tie the open halter to the lead rope and pull it around his neck … Finally the nose into the halter and a knot… and the halter was on…
Marion opened the barn door and as he was about to get nervous and wanted to get out…
Now… I pulled at the halter… and guess what happened… I ended up with a nice hoof imprint in the back of my knee/upper thigh...
You could say “Love at the first kick”… ;-)
I started to understand that things would be much more difficult than expected and that he would not show the same reactions as my other nine do…

After a short break to recover from his “kiss” Marion and I started to work with him in the round pen.
He has a wonderful trot… and what a sensitive boy… Just looking at his butt made him move… Very very sensitive and eager to please…
But very shy and nervous as well…



He did not get tired even after working more than 2 hours with me and Marion and also Jaro.
Always after we finished some “exercise” he waited and was looking on us… like “Hey… when it is going to continue?”

Next morning when I wanted to capture the sunrise with my cam he already waited at the fence… What a heartbreaker… ;-)



We started to bond further and at the end of the second day he was approachable from both sides… We made good progress all together…
(Video?)
Finally in the evening I had to say good-bye and entered the paddock.
This time he did not escape… Standing in the middle of the paddock… no fence… not blocked… no pressure… He could leave but waited by his own will…
He looked at me and I could touch his nose with my hand…
What a nice way to say good bye… Like he would know that I had to return to Germany the next morning…

On my way out Hercules (who stays with him in his Paddock) approached me and I caressed him a bit…
A few seconds after I left I heard Woody beating him up… like telling him “that’s my human… don’t get in my way…” … ;-)
It was really a funny scene…



When I arrived I was not sure if I really want “Horse #10” … but I think he is a special boy and he really found his way into my heart.

I’ll return early April to continue to work with him together with Marion so he will be able to travel and join us in Germany.
Looking forward to two more exciting weeks at Hidden Cave Ranch with Jaro, Marion and Woody.

Update Woody, Cinderella and Sam

I am running a little behind with recent updates on our horses but here we are.

Woody,
Peter Schumann Woody his owner, has visited us and worked with Woody. I witnessed a beautiful blooming relationship. It was beautiful to see how these two individuals grown together in such a short time. Peter also made some beautiful pictures. Maybe he wants to tell something in his own words.

Cinderella had her first night in a stall. We had severe weather and lots of big hail so I wanted the girls in overnight since they don’t have a shelter in the field. It took me a while to catch her and I was soaking wet by the time I got her. But after that she was great. Of course a little ski dish in the beginning but just like Woody and Sam she is very sweet and trustful when she is convinced. After this experience she is much better and easier to handle. She is a sweetheart.

Sam, well he surprised me the most. He was the only one who’s feet looked not so good. His toes where very long so he really needed to be trimmed.
I practiced and wow was he a good boy. First I used my carrot stick and see what he would do. He kicked with his hind legs at first but very quickly he was fine. So after a couple of times I thought he was ready for the farrier. And boy he was, He just stood there like a full trained horse I could not be more proud of him. The farrier ( or really need to say barefoot trimmer since that is what he is specialized in) was impressed too.
I also took him true my obstacle course, and again he surprised me big time. He went true the “carwash” the pool noodles the ramp he did it all to bad I don't have pics of it. What a champ we have here..

Introducing Miss Bella

Bella has been in CHR's care since February, 2011.  Bella's story is that she was a much loved riding and show horse for her owner, the favorite of the dozens Miss Janet owned.  Miss Janet developed Alzheimers, and unfortunately it progressed to the point that she needed to be placed in an assisted living facility.  Miss Janet's horses were placed into new homes, but the home that Bella was in had another mare that took an instant dislike to Bella.  The mare never got over it, and never allowed Bella into the herd.  So it was decided that Bella needed to find another home where she would be accepted and allowed to live in peace.

Bella came to live with my herd of 4 in February, 2011.  Bella is a very sweet, older mare. She is palomino sabino, and gaited, I think she is a Curly Foxtrotter.  She came with a long curly split mane and huge thick heavy curly tail.  She has 4 white high stockings and a big bald face with unique black spots on the corners of her mouth on both sides.  Bella ADORES attention.  She will stand forever to be loved on, and is not shy about showing you exactly where she would like to be rubbed. 

We affectionately call Bella "Barbie" at times. She is a beautiful blonde that is a little ditzy at times ;-) 

It appears that Bella had an injury to her neck at some point in her life. There is a rumor that she had EPM at some point but was "cured" and allowed to carry a rider no larger than around 100 pounds.  After seeing her neck, it is clear that she either ran into something or fell and created a subluxation in her neck that was never identified or corrected.  It is likely calcified, and it is my assumption that this impingment on her nerve system is what caused the symptoms that were called EPM, and likely why she still will trip a bit from time to time.  She doesn't appear to be in any discomfort, but she is recommended for a companion home for another gentle horse or horses.  She gets along just fine in my herd, who live outside 24/7 and are a group of relatively happy, fair-minded mares.  None are aggressive, but there is definately a heirarchy.  Bella is at the bottom of the list, and if she follows the rules, she is treated with respect.

Woody, American Curly horse, second time in the roundpen part 2

Woody is making big changes. Please don't judge me as I am not a professional trainer and you might think at some points I am doing wrong. However if you have some critical comments I can use feel free to bring it. Or complements ;-) I am doing the best I can here. Sometimes I need to cross his boundaries and push him to get where I can touch him. If I am to soft or slow he gets more insecure. Keep in mind that this horse was NOT to be touched or approached yesterday and I got not even get close with either a halter or a rope. Woody tries very very hard.

I am so proud, Woody is a great horse to work with. Wunderbar !!

I can't tell you how excited I am!!
Today we had our first real round pen work with Woody. I did not wanted to start before he was somewhat comfortable with me because Linda told me he could take a try jumping the fence. My round pen already has dome damage so I did not wanted to take that chance with a big horse like Woody.

All I can say is wauww what a great sensitive good willing horse he is. He is so scared but he tries so hard. It took a long long time but finally we joined up and he followed me and I could get into his private circle and pet him. He not once tried to hurt me, try to be mean or anything like that.
In the end he was actually playful and dared me and we had a lot of fun, it was like dances with horses....He will be such a great horse...well he already is but a great partner!

Sam meets the bigger herd and Cinder is leaving Woody

On Monday I took CinderElla away from Woody and put her in the arena which is across Woody’s pen. I let her with my quarter mare Lady and took Mallie my curly mare in foal out because I did not wanted to take a risk with her. She was a little further away but still could see her girl Lady, she was fine. Lady can be a real bitch so I was a little scared…..No need her and Cinder sniffed, screamed and that was it.

Woody in the mean time was introduced with my big gelding Spirit. Spirit has a tendency to have a calming effect on nervous horses. However the more dominant the horse the better he gets along with it. (Like Freedom his best friend). I had high hopes….Unfortunately it did not work at all. They totally ignored each other had no connection at all. And it was worse when I came into the pen. Spirit did not allow me seeking contact for Woody, and Woody was not even allowed to look at me LOL. He would immediately stand between me and Woody ( I filmed it)
Conclusion girls did well, boys need plan B.
I was planning on putting Freedom with Woody as the next step, but when I walked into the field Lydiker came to me. I was like hmm maybe this is a better match. So I introduced Lydiker. Guess what Lydiker found himself a new play buddy. He started teasing him biting him in the legs and poor Woody did not know what to do with this snotty boy.
Bingo, good match because not once did he looked for CinderElla.

Today it was introduction time in the big herd of geldings for Sam since I needed that field for the mares. It is almost a dry lot and Mallie needs to go in there because she has to stay off the fescue.
Spirit in these situations is the “Alfa” gelding, he is my big horse from the Netherlands. He charged a couple of times at him but he never kicks or bites. It always looks very dangerous but it is like dogs. Lots of action no blood LOL. It went very well because now we had a group of 4 entering a group of 6. It was hilarious Moose was showing of his new friend Sam. They were running tails up like crazy.
The two seniors already found the hay. Wicket our miniature horse went over to camp Sam and 5 min later Huckleberry 3 year old quarter went over to camp Sam. I filmed it all.

Then all 3 girls together since Cinder and Lady did so well together. But as soon as Mallie came in it was Lady and Mallie against Cinder. But the field is big enough so they don’t bother each other. They will come around.


Also a big thing. Woody ate out of my hand today yeahhhh.

Sam and Moose

Since today Sam is in a small herd with Moose and my two older geldings and he
is great. I can walk into the field to him and catch him with no problems.
He also spend the night in a stall yesterday. We had soooo much rain and him and
Moose where in a small paddock. It was so muddy I felt it was better to have
them sleep and dry up inside. The other horses have a run in but they had not.
He did walked in the barn with no problems but he did not wanted to go in the
stall. Moose was right beside him but no and boy he can be stubborn hihi.
So I worked him and yield his hindquarters and things like that. He is a quick
learner. I had ha 13 year old girl with me for the first time she wants to take
care of Moose and help me little which is great.
After half an hour of trying she said, why don't you just put a bucket of feed
in the stall. I said I don't want him to do everything for food. But Sam was
getting aggravated and I had a major headache (still) so I did it anyway….and of
course he walked right in LOL. So smart girl smart Sam. 1-0 for them LOL