07/05/2026
The two-week threshold means we have now gotten to know the horses pretty well. Managing six horses at once highlights just how much progress varies based on personality. While social media allows us to follow other horses from the same muster, it is vital not to let comparison cloud your judgement. Each horse is unique, and success is defined by the specific priorities we set for them. They will all get there and really in the long run it doesn't matter how long. Can you recall at how many months you were when you first rolled over or sat up for the first time as a baby? - in the grand scheme of long term things it doesn't really matter.
Here's a little about the personalities of the fillies we have and the colts will be in a separate post:
Ziggy - 7 month old foal
Ziggy was an extremely flighty wee thing that didn't take much to go into full panic mode. She's very sensitive and was really looking for the comfort of the herd. We decided to put my once Wild now domesticated horse Bella with her to be a sensible calming influence and it was fantastic. Ziggy is now coming out of her shell and is more curious and less flighty than she was when she first arrived. If she does get a fright then the flight path is a lot less. We can now work with her independtly in a yard over from Bella, drawing her away on her own happily. She loves being out in the paddock and gets the foal zoomies. She loves grass and will confidently take it from us. We can draw her easily, and move her around and we are working on touches, her inquisitive nose can be rubbed but anything else at this stage is a bit much but with the rate she is progressing it won't be long.
Takatapuhi - 2 yr old filly
Quite clearly pregnant Takatapuhi hasn't let that bother her with the taming process. She has affectionately been nicknamed snorty as when worried but still curious she makes the loudest noises. She's definitely a foodie and is making huge progressions with clicker training. We have rubbed her all over with the stick, up to her withers with hands and we have been playing with confidence with a stick and string that rhythmically is thrown over her back. She will put her own head through a draped rope as prep for haltering and has learnt to follow a neck rope feel.
Kakariki - 1 year old filly
Kakariki was very defensive of everything when she first arrived. She clung to Takatapuhi's side and did the mare skowl at any of the other horses that looked at her often lunging and kicking. Initially when working with her I thought she was reletively confident but the more we do the more I realise it's a façade and she's a scared wee thing. We have touched her neck with the stick but I've peeled things back again to help build confidence and make sure she's not in freeze response. Shes been taking grass from us for a while and when she doesn't I know she's over threshold and we need to make things easier again. She is easy to maneuver around, has her yields and draw, has crossed a pole and now is back to working in touches but with a more confident approach.
