Mara ATFO 2024 - first required post

~Mara first required post~

This is my 5th year attending the ATFO and Mara has been, nothing short, of showing ME how to learn….even if I’m the one who’s the teacher 🤣

For anyone who knows me, I am naturally drawn to the “hard/most challenging” horses in the competition, even in my outside training environment. I genuinely love seeing the transformation.

Mara has been especially difficult because each day is a hint of Groundhog Day. The normal practice and time frame a horse should learn and master does not apply to Mara! Her trust issues are big….this is just one of the reasons she’s in the outlaw division. One could say she’s afraid of her own shadow, but on the other hand she’s ready to fight when needed. Sounds are a big deal too!

She has never kicked or even attempted until the Ferrier came to work on her. We spoke at great lengths before starting, I even demonstrated how she picks all 4 of her hooves up. They met each other and she began to pick up one of Mara’s front hooves and that’s when she stuck out and made contact on my arm. After moving Mara around and letting her know that we could have that kind of behavior she was much better! She was done on May 29th and We will have a couple more sessions before the end of the 100 days!

Her body has changed a good bit too, she’s been dewormed 3 times now along with a hoof supplement and vitamin E to correct her levels. Be sure to check out the difference in my pictures!

A long time ago I became friends with a horse trainer and I remember him saying…..”Sometimes when you lay a horse down, you also rest their mind” when I laid Mara down today ( first time ) she seemed to really like it. It was really hot along with off and on showers today during our session but she did great……I’m proud to put together a list of what Mara can do now! Yes, I would love to be further along but I think this is the perfect speed for her.

I had a good laugh when we were pulling out from WV after Mara was on the trailer….one of the volunteers yelled out…..thank you for taking the hard ones!!! 🥰 your welcome

Mara now can 👇

* Lead

* lunge W/T/C

* Baths

* Fly spray

* Pick’s up all 4 hooves

* Loves to be groomed

* Walks over tarps

* Steps up on pallets

* Walks through kiddy pool

* Working in a French link snaffle

* Stands Tied

* Line drives

She see’s the equine dentist on Friday

We are moving at a slow pace but considering where we started,….no halter & Didn’t lead well…….Im happy to say the least ❤️

I put a good amount of pictures and some videos, let Mara know what you all think!!

#hopteammara