07/13/2024
Callaghan’s SPRING UPDATE! Long post but very worth the read. You won’t be disappointed! ◡̈
This spring, the plan was to have Callahan train for several weeks at Mountain Land Farm. MLF is a highly respected equestrian facility with 20+ years of glowing reviews. From their website:
~Our goal is to create a respectful partnership from the ground to the saddle. There is a fine balance between building confidence in a horse and desensitizing them to outside stimuli. Our approach to training has grown out of years of hands-on experience, supplemented by natural horsemanship education. From c**t starting to problem horses to restarting Off Track Thoroughbreds, we take a quiet, steady approach to education the equine.
While this involves hours of dedication and hard work, we encourage owners to participate in the process with the goal of building their relationship with their horse.
MLF’s facility is superior & has vast experience in training horses that need a special approach.
Arrival day was exciting but proved to be bumpy as Callahan spooked with a quick moving atv. He reared & ran off to find safety. Thankfully, he stopped by horses in a nearby paddock, contemplated running into the forest (yikes!) but when approached by Cyndy, came to her willingly. Trust!
Cal was assigned a nice large stable of his own to get calm & adjust to his new surroundings.
Knowing his background of abuse & severe PTSD, the trainers started with very basic groundwork. Unfortunately, after several days, it was apparent that Cal was not responding as everyone hoped he would.
After a couple of weeks, the decision was made to bring Callahan home early. He was simply not comfortable & so very scared of the new people in this new environment. The exercises MLF were using were the same ones we were working on with him. They advised we continue Cyndy’s rehabilitation program & groundwork back @ Bramble Hill Farm where Cal is most comfortable.
After loading Callahan in the trailer, many questions swirled about in our minds as we were heading back home.
Is Callahan simply too damaged from his prior abuse?
With continued work, can he overcome his PTSD, learn & grow?
Will he ever allow anyone to ride him?
Did this recent training venture do further harm?
Will he trust us again??? We’ve worked so long & hard. Is that all undone?
What is his future? ~ happy life as a lesson horse or simply, an adorable pasture pet?
So many questions!
In that moment, we had to focus on what we could control. Getting Cal home, back to his barn, back to his wide-open, grassy fields with his mates. After a few days of rest back at home, we would start to work with him again & see how he responded.
Incredibly, after a couple of days resting at home, it was as if a switch flipped in his mind & everything was better! Everything! Instead of avoidance, he began to come willingly from the field to be harnessed. He doesn’t flinch much & generally seems more calm around everyone! He no longer hides his head in the corner of his stall & instead puts his sweet face out to say hello & visit. Incredible changes for him. Major turnaround! Such a thrilling turn of events!!!
Callahan has turned a corner. He truly seems to realize that Bramble Hill Farm is his home & that he is safe & very loved here! ♡
We can’t wait to see what the future holds for this beautiful boy! Plz stay tuned!
Callahan’s page will chronicle his life from Amish cart horse to Cyndy West @ Bramble Hill Farm!
