Horses

Cutestuff #2… handling 101

January 14, 2009 / 16 Comments
Remember Cutestuff #2… Admiral’s daughter?
That cheeky little as-yet-unnamed* redhead who has been busily flirting her way into hearts all over blog-land? (Yeah, OK, on Granite Glen too).
Well this week it was time for her very first human handling session …
Want to see what happened?
It was her first time in the yards… lots of firsts today and she’s a little nervous and quivery.
Those endless ballerina legs don’t know which way to dance… but sticking as close to Mum as humanly (equinely?) possible…
Ummm.
You are a bit CLOSE there, yonder human.
See that ear flicking back and forth?
It means (in horse-speak):
I am watching you. I am a bit unsure…
What do you want from me?
…
Mr Incredible quietly steps in to slide his hands around her chest so she cannot run away. Her Mum is right there, behind the gate. She is snickering quietly to her filly, but is not unduly alarmed – she is an experienced brood mare and knows all about this part of the game. But CS1 is still a little anxious…
I try to calm her.
Sshhhhh darlin’.
No-one’s going to hurt you.
Those wide eyes say she doesn’t quite believe me!
She stands well though, and doesn’t fight against the hands holding her.
Mr Incredible slowly shifts his hands away, and releases her.

But the lesson is not yet over.
The real test is in getting them to relax enough to be easily caught a second time…
Hey baby girl… we are still here.
Want to try again?
Oh well done!
Those ears still darting a bit, but she allows human hands to still her a second time.
…
And this little nose …

FINALLY quit quivering…
It’s an A+ for CS2!
And here endeth today’s human hands lesson…
I always like to end of a good note!

Or with a couple of cute (rear) ends, anyway!
…
*We may have a foal naming contest soon – however this little filly doesn’t actually belong to us (we are looking after her Mama for another horse owner) so the moniker may not stick!

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16 Comments

  • Kate
    January 14, 2009 at 4:21 pm Reply

    She is so sweet! I love that little rear end. Their tails are so soft and fuzzy when they are babies. She is a sweetheart too, i can’t believe she let Mr.I handle her so well. I think i just discovered the reason your horses/animals are nicer than the ones i know. More handling at a younger age. Why don’t my neighbors do that? Anywho, can’t wait to see how CS1 takes the lesson 🙂

  • Pony Girl
    January 14, 2009 at 4:33 pm Reply

    Super cute, BB! I love that little shot of her tiny whiskered muzzle!
    Do ya’ll ever “imprint” and handle foals right after the moment of birth? It is a popular practice over here but I’ve read a lot of pros and cons each way.
    Thanks for all the horsey photos of late, you know I eat them up! ;)Can’t wait to watch these little ones grow up through the eyes of your camera!

  • Rose
    January 14, 2009 at 6:34 pm Reply

    YAAAAY! A contest!! You know, even as humans, our names change. We have nicknames, and our last names change with marriage. We could name the cutie while you’re caring for it! Or is there some thing that says you’re not supposed to name them because then you get too attached?? lol. Can’t wait to see more pics, she looks very muscular already, and I am a city slicker so I love the horse pictures. 🙂

  • A Novel Woman
    January 14, 2009 at 11:54 pm Reply

    Even I, suffering as I do from PTFSD (Post Traumatic Foal Stress Disorder,) have to admit that that is one cute baby.

    I just want to reach out and stroke that cute little tail!

  • Pencil Writer
    January 15, 2009 at 2:42 am Reply

    Awwwwwwwww! So cute. And good job to all! Mr. I must have such a knack for calming nervous critters (Mrs. I, you in the group too, I guess?). Little CS2 is so tiny and cute. Mr. I’s hands being used as comparison on the “tiny” conclusion. And I do love new little babes, particularly foals, kittens, and puppies. Well, there are more, but I shouldn’t take up any more space!

    And the WV agrees: thinust. See?

  • Sabra
    January 15, 2009 at 3:05 am Reply

    She is precious. I love handling those little ones, seeing them start to trust. It is so rewarding. Keep these gorgeous pics coming! Love ’em.

  • Bush Babe
    January 15, 2009 at 8:35 am Reply

    Sabra, PW, CJS – thanks. The foals are totally stealing my heart at the moment. And Mr I is enjoying the interaction heaps too – don’t forget that we have been city-ites for the past couple of decades and these opportunities are extra sweet for us.

    Mom L – yeah, I was admiring all four legs too!

    ANW – you are a dag! Funny.

    Gem – she is a little ball of muscle this one. Very strong.

    Rose – alright… keep your eyes peeled!

    DW – ha! Hang onto these ideas for an upcoming post!!

    PG – we should have imprinted, but haven’t had much of a chance to get them into the yards til now. If you recall, I did give CS2 a rubdown in the paddock while she was asleep, but not really a proper ‘handle’. What are the drawbacks?

    Kate – CS1’s first handling lesson coming soon. Glad you liked!

  • Andrea
    January 15, 2009 at 1:47 pm Reply

    Look at that booty!! She is certainy strong looking!! She is really adorable!! I love the muzzle shot. My little girl was neighing and trying to pet the foal’s nose!!

  • A Novel Woman
    January 17, 2009 at 3:29 am Reply

    Oh, oh. I looked up ‘dag’ and it says it means the poo stuck to the wool on a sheep’s behind.

    Please tell me there’s another meaning. ANY other meaning will do.

  • A Novel Woman
    January 19, 2009 at 11:37 pm Reply

    BB, thanks for the clarification! That pretty much sums me up, although there are some who would argue the sheep bum is also correct.

    Tell Dash it’s still snowing like mad here, bit fat flakes and the drifts are so high at our cottage it fills the deck to the top rails.

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