Andrea Visits Dexter

Andrea has been wanting to visit Dexter since we brought him home; and she finally had a chance to come out this afternoon.

I have been walking and jogging Dexter, in hand, up our driveway and along the road to expose him to more than the tranquility of our little farm. Out there, he can experience cars and school buses passing, strange horses that come galloping over to the fence to check him out, and the neighbour's pasture full of cows and their playful newborn calves. So far, Dexter has been very brave with everything that comes his way and is able to stay calm and relaxed.

Just as Andrea arrived, Dexter and I were in our driveway chatting with a neighbour over the fence. There was no room for Andrea to drive around us because of the snow piled up, so she followed behind us. Dexter and I trotted, walked, stopped and backed up together as we made our way back to the barn. I rarely ever lead my horses from point A to point B in a straight line. In this time-crunched world we live in, every minute spent with our horses is precious and can be extremely productive with a little bit of creativity (i.e. backing through gates and doorways, changing gaits between walk, trot, and halt; and sending them back and forth - C pattern; as you walk them in from the pasture).

During Andrea's visit, Dexter and I demonstrated most of what we have been doing together; including saddling him. He was so good about it yesterday and again today that I assumed he had been saddled previously. Andrea however, confirmed that she had never put a saddle on him, nor had the gal she bought him from. Andrea admitted that she never thought Dexter would be ridable and so she was pleasantly surprised to see that he could become be a relaxed, reliable riding companion.

Andrea shared the following thoughts with me in an email this evening.

"When I first pulled up I could not believe that he was the same horse. It brought tears (of joy) to my eyes to see him thriving in his new home!!! You have brought him so far in such a short period of time. I don't think I would have ever gotten him there, ever. It was so nice to love on him and give him kisses like I have always wanted to do but never could, so I would also like to thank you for that!!!

I can't say enough about you Tovie, I felt so good after I left your place that I went and played with Sunny some more and got some amazing results from what I learned from you! I feel you have a way with horses that I am envious of and would like to learn some more. I will have to take a lesson with you and Sunny! Also I would love to go for a ride or just play with our horses together.

Again thank you so much!"

In response, I'd like to say that Andrea is already well on her way to becoming a great horse person. The skills can be learned but a truly great horse person will ALWAYS put the horses' well being first. Andrea realized she wasn't a good match for Dexter's over reactive, energetic personality, and she went about searching for the right person for Dexter.

Being with a horse that is a good match is pure joy. However, when the match doesn't work, it is frustrating for both the horse and the handler; and unpleasant to watch.

I can't express my gratitude enough to Andrea for this wonderful journey that Dexter and I are having.

Tovie and Dexter