Week 14

 This week has been an exiting week both mum and I caught our brumbies properly I am now able to thanks to the help of my mum rub her all over and able to clip her on which we are still working on getting better with not getting scared whilst hooking her on I’m also able to go down her legs and touch her face I can also touch her with the rope and saddle blanket prepping for saddle we still have to work on her reactions and getting her used to having something on her back starting the saddling and rugging process. 

 This week Katani and I worked on connection and touching at liberty and we also worked on getting her hips less sore and better to touch on her back and hind in the big paddock which I was afraid of doing because I thought when she was going to run away from me but she did quite the opposite after a little convincing she let me walk up to her and pat her on her shoulder and all down her back and to her hind quarter and I also started to brush out her winter coat which I’m sure she appreciated. 

 So, this week we had a big breakthrough we were continuing on with catching and connection we were trying to approach her and we eventually got there with her on a lead we were able to pat here shoulder and slowly but surely moved up to her neck and it was good we were patting her and getting easier to catch and then I tried it without catching her I tried doing it at liberty and boy it went smashingly well I got to pat her without catching her it felt amazing it was amazing my mum and I where both shocked at this oh how far she’s come.    

This week we worked on leading around the round yard and working on the touch barrier and then eventually touching her shoulder and eventually rubbing all over her neck and getting her used to being touched and loving it apart from that I haven’t done much 

Woah let me just say that we have had a hectic past week at the start of the week we were working on our connection and I got so close with touching her on the mane and we were getting along well and then just two days ago she had a bout of colic which we had to rush to rope her and put a halter on her to get some pain relief injected in to her muscle to help her get out of pain why we had her haltered I was able to pat her on her neck and calming her down whilst putting the needle in her neck I feel horrible for having to force her but it was that or die.

 Katani and I are still building our bonds and connections of trust and relaxation. She is now able to park me up and have a sleep and relax with me which is a big step because 

Brumbies usually only sleep and relax with herd members they trust so that’s exciting that means she trusts me. 

We didn’t get her haltered as she showed me she was not ready to be touched or haltered by pinning her ears back at me as a fear response and me being to eager and not giving her time to process trying to brake down the touch barrier. Then we went back to connection and played around with that for a bit and called in a day because she was mentally tired. Hopefully we get them haltered next week or the one after. 

Thankyou VBA for this great opportunity once again

 This week the start of the week we had rain so I could not do much but Katani did get used to the paddock. I think she had fun kicking her heels up. The connection is going well she is now investigating things in the yard such as the rake and a crate. Katani will eat out of my hands and she is sniffing and investigating me and allows me to lightly touch her nose. She has also gotten used to the yards being mucked out and me putting feed in her yard. She is a smart mare and I love seeing her develop the ability to connect with people. 

This is my progress/ report on how VBA Katani VBA Katani and VBA Rose arrived late Saturday night, so we gave them Sunday to settle in and started working them on Monday. 

So, on Monday katani and I worked on connecting just easing her into it. 

On Tuesday we did a little more connecting and bonding I built her curiosity by inviting her to come in and just chill with her and eventually she got calm and curious enough to eat out of my hand and sniff me she has been calm enough to come in very close to me maybe a few feet away and letting down and being lovely in wraps I had my first touch on katani and built her curiosity.   

Due to the COVID restrictions Trai's Brumby Katani needed to make the journey to Trai via horse transport. 

VBA Katani was loaded on Saturday along with our other Brumbies that were headed off to warmer weather in NSW and Qld. 

Whenever we need to transport unhandled Brumbies, we always work with the team at M&J Peterson Horse Handling and Breaking Horse Transport. 

These guys are calm, empathetic and they are just wonderful with our wild ones! 

Thankyou so much to Matt and Logan who headed off on the long trip up to Upper Caboolture Via NSW with our precious cargo!

We are looking forward to Trai's updates from next week.