Posts Tagged ‘Chincoteague
Racehorse Minnow
In the fall/winter of 2007 Minnow had developed a slight lameness. I spent months trying to diagnosis the issue, xrays were inconclusive, farriers couldn’t find anything, flex and pinch tests revealed nothing. So I waited, hoping it was a very deep abscess like everyone else. (A hoof abscess is a localized bacterial infection in the sensitive structures of the hoof.)
So as Minnow gained more and more weight as most Chincoteague Ponies tend to do (some say they could live off a cement slab), I decided to exercise him anyway.
I took Minnow once a week to the Thoroughbred indoor pool. (ok well technically my mom took him for me most of the time as I was in my final semester of college – thanks mom!).
So once a week Minnow plodded his fat body slowly into the pool and huffed and puffed as he did laps about 1/4 of the speed the racehorses do it. He quickly became a favorite as he was quite a change of pace from the lanky and feisty young racehorses, not to mention he gave everyone kisses and handshakes afterwards.
Here’s a video of the cutest little racepony 🙂
Minnow in the News
A few days ago a fellow Chincoteague Pony lover like myself sent me an article from the July 20, 2001 Chincoteague Beachcomber newspaper. I was especially excited to receive this because it mentioned my Chincoteague Minnow!
In 2001 Minnow had just begun living (and earning his keep) at the Chincoteague Pony Center, this was 3 years before I ever met him.
Here’s the excerpt from the article that mentions Minnow:
Making his debut at the Centre and one of everyone’s favorites is Chincoteague Minnow, who was bought at the pony auction seven years ago. He was named Minnow because he was the “smallest, wimpiest, shrimpiest” pony sold that year, according to his former owner and buyer. Today he stands 13.1 hands tall, and is a “stout” pony, ready to carry any load. His gentle disposition makes him a favorite at riding lessons and pony rides alike.
Click on the Image to view larger
I was especially intrigued by the terms “wimpiest” and “gentle disposition”. When Minnow came to live with me in 2003 I would probably have to say he WAS wimpy, but not in the normal sense. Minnow was fearful of a lot of things, sounds, strange objects, cameras – but he didn’t react the way a normal fearful horse would. Instead of spooking or acting out, he pretended his fears didn’t exist. He ignored them – turned his head, avoided contact. Hence where “gentle disposition” comes in to play. He was plodding through life complying to everyone’s wishes, giving pony rides, performing, being ridden, but I can only suspect he was living in fear – and he was very good at hiding it. I didn’t discover this extreme fear until Minnow developed a “runaway” behavior after I deem he likely just reached a point in his life where the fear got too great. Granted when he first lived at the Chincoteague Pony Centre he had not yet gone to the home in Harrisburg, Pa where lived in a neglectful home – so his “fear” may not have really been evident (or even noticeable) while he lived at the Pony Centre. But seeing that he was deemed “wimpy” even as a foal coming off the island in 1993, makes me believe that Minnow always had some sort of fear hidden away. I can envision him a tiny frightened foal, trying to hide from the mass of people. Who can blame him, wouldn’t you have some fear if you were suddenly plucked from your mom as a baby? Some foals at the auction rebel, put on a show of bucking and rearing, while others internalize their fear and stand motionless, unable to move. I think Minnow was one of the latter – for most of his life.
Minnow at the Chincoteague Pony Centre 2001 with Chris Nelson
I like to believe that now he’s no longer consumed by his fear. Minnow is curious, he’s bright eyed, and he trusts me to keep him safe. I think a little bit of fear will always be with him, its in his nature, but I think he now knows that he doesn’t have to internalize it. Its ok to be scared, but confronting them is the only way to make them less “scary”.
I’m ever so grateful to have a copy of this article, I love learning more about Minnow’s past and where he was before me. I love how his life has circled back again and now we take yearly trips to the Chincoteague Pony Centre where he was and always will be a beloved favorite.
Read more about Minnow’s journey to find me here!
Farm Pals
Yeah its Friday! Here’s some photos from the farm from last weekend to brighten your day (as if being Friday isn’t enough).
Chincoteague Minnow and Ammo the Dachshund
Chincoteague Minnow
Minnow gives me a kiss
Cricket the Barn Cat
Cricket
Spanish Walk Progress
A short video of Minnow practicing his spanish walk on January 18th.
This video makes me laugh because Minnow looks even shorter and fatter than I know him to be in real life. His body is MASSIVE. He’s got a horse sized body and head with legs and a neck the size of a miniature horse. Poor Minnow, I think he dreamed of being 14 hands, sadly he topped out at 13.1. Perhaps that is why he loves his pedestal so much – he gains a few inches in height.
I also notice how Minnow really tries to avoid lifting his right front leg. I know this is because of his arthritis in his left front. If he lifts the right then most of his weight is put onto his left. He tires so hard to work through the pain and do what I’m asking of him. I might start trying to look into some supplements that I can give him, perhaps it will help him to be a little more comfortable.
Training my Horse like a Dog
I finally was able to capture some video footage of Minnow working on his rear yesterday. I’m so proud of him. He has really been able to tune into my body language and just figure out what I wanted.
Here are some shots from yesterday morning:
And here are some videos from yesterday night:
Yesterday morning I started off working in the ring, and my original plan was to back him into the corner of the fence in order to get him to get his hind end under him some more. But (as I already knew) Minnow has confinement issues, and I had a feeling he wouldn’t like feeling trapped. I tried it once and after he casually wriggled his way around me I decided this wasn’t the best method for him. So instead we worked out in the open like before. If you notice my method was to just basically rev him up with excitement – sort of like you would to a dog if you wanted them to play fetch or something like that. I danced around a bit, called his name, and got myself really enthusiastic. My energy transferred over to Minnow and he offered several nice steps of the rear. I also used the end of my target stick to get him to push his weight back on his rear instead of resting on his front end.
Later that day I was showing my mom and sister Minnow’s progress and I just happened to place him on a slight slope outside the barn. This seemed to really help Minnow rock back on his hindend and he got much higher. I think this spot might be good to keep trying to help build his hind quarters up so that he can get even higher off the ground in the future.
I think Minnow is really enjoying the rearing and Spanish Walk training. When I turn him out in the pasture after our sessions he goes bucking and carrying on with excitement. I think the other ponies are really jealous. I’m definitely going to have to get back to their training soon!
With my mom and sister still recovering from their knee injuries and surgeries I have 3 rideable ponies to choose from (Jet, Blitz and Boomer). Yet I haven’t ridden since mid-December, because I would much rather teach Chincoteague Minnow new tricks! I’m really going to have to start kicking myself into gear if I want to reach some more of my 2010 goals like taking Blitz to a Dressage competition and moving Boomer up to the Masters division in mounted games. I also wanted to buy an equestrian lifestyle subscription box. There is still so much more to accomplish this year!
