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Zahra stopped eating hay as I tried to relax whilst my body was prepared for the fast exit and pumping adrenaline! She stood very quietly as I sat on her and talked to her telling her how good she was. I stayed for about 4 mins and slid off and stroked her head.
She nuzzled me as if to say "What took you so long!"
We gave her a few minutes to absorb what had happened and then I mounted
again. This time she was much more relaxed and started eating hay. Stayed on for ten minutes this time. Rob gently walked us round the stable and she was fine. Went for another walk and then dismounted. I'd been practising jumping on and off a small wall next to her as well as sliding off when across her, no problem!
Next day Rob took Saraband out and I thought I'd be brave or stupid and try to mount on my own. No problem or reaction with the saddle or hackamore. Leant across her using the barrel as and aid. No problem so again I slid carefully on. Sat there for a few minutes and then slid off and rubbed her head and she nuzzled my hand. Her head went down and I knew she was happy to grow a person. I mounted again and this time sat for ten minutes and when she felt comfortable and stopped eating gently asked her to turn left by turning my head and body. She gently tried. She went forwards, backwards and right and left. In all I sat on her this time for about half an hour.
I felt as if I'd ridden for 5 hours on the moors, both exhilarated and ecstatic and fatigued all at once. We had trusted each other and I got off and told her how wonderful she'd been as my eyes filled with tears of relief. Quite cathartic.
I know this is only the beginning of yet another journey but at least we've started this century!
That was the start of a remarkable journey in 1999. I walked for hours with Zahra around the village getting off to reassure her when she became rooted to the spot. If I had known then what I know now it would all have been easier.
She had experienced draw reins which had stopped her from functioning in a variety of ways. She could not see the ground clearly and couldn’t go out of the trailer at the front. A remarkable healer called Jo Howard gave her a new life and removed the trauma in this beautiful little horse. The next day after Jo’s treatment she could walk down the ramp. She began to be able to move her neck fluidly, which had been very stiff before.
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