C'est La Vie - Henrietta Charleston

[Henrietta Charleston]

C'EST LA VIE//

xx. NAME
C'est La Vie (Vie)

xx. AGE
Three Years Young

xx. GENDER
Mare

xx. HEIGHT
14.1 hh

xx. BREED
Ariegeois Pony

xx. COLOR
Black

xx. MARKINGS
None

xx. BRAND
None

[Henrietta Charleston]

xx. FIRST DAY

Well, today was the first day I actually got to see and interact with Vie. She definitely could be beautiful if I could just groom her. I figured doing that however would probably be a bit too forward. I’m actually quite new to this whole rehabilitation equine thing. I wonder what Dad would say if he saw me helping these horses. He’d probably just complain about me hanging with an inexpensive horse instead of the “beautiful” Trakehner he bought me. Don’t get me wrong; Hutch is gorgeous, but so is Vie. Still, I like it. Though, I have to admit it after the first day, I am somewhat frustrated.

I listened to Dr. Carr’s information about their feed and the dos and don’ts, but even with these guidelines, I’m kinda free styling it here. I really don’t know much about rescuing horses, though I do know about their natural behaviors. Dr. Carr offered to let us put different herbs in their food and get their feet done if we asked her, though I decided to just play it slow. I want to gain a concrete trust with Vie before I do anything. Really, I know nothing about her. I suppose I just have to listen to her and try to understand her the natural way.

Whether I can do it or not, I have time. I’m just thankful I have Dr. Carr there just in case. Today, I gave Vie her food and noticed she curiously looked at its contents. It also took a bit of time for her to come up and get the bucket. She first pretended to be disinterested, but her curiosity brought her closer to it and she immediately begun her meal. She’s a young thing, and I realized her curiosity will definitely come as a huge help. She even curiously sniffed me for treats and permitted me to very slowly scratch her behind the ears.

I was making quite the progress until I laughed randomly like a nutcase and she spooked. I’m still cursing over my stupidity there. She stayed away after that, though she did come to finish her food. I managed to get her back to chew it all in, though at my second attempt to get her to come to me, she refused. Despite this however, when I was walking back to the barn, Vie actually watched my every move. After a small smile, I decided to continue working like I didn’t notice; washing her bucket and putting it away. I know it’ll take her only a little time to realize I’m the one who brings her food, though I wonder how long it’ll take for her to realize I’m the one she needs to trust. I hope for improvement next time, though I’m going to take it slow and ease her into it. She’s young and still very curious. That is hope.

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[Henrietta Charleston]

xx. MOVING ON

Well, today was the second day of our meet up though I did come before and every day between that. I also got to meet another girl from my class. Besides that, I’m going to get back on track and talk about Vie. Well- actually write about, but you get what I mean. Today we had major improvements. I gave her food as usual, but this time I brought carrots. Let me tell you, treats definitely do help. I officially love whoever discovered carrots, though I’m pretty sure it was some unknown ancient. Anywho, this time she gobbled down her food without a second thought. Vie is curious, but once she knows about something, she doesn’t really give a d**n. I guess that’s pretty good considering how bomb proof she’ll be after training.

Also, today, I entered her pasture after I put away her bucket and washed it. At first she somewhat ignored me, though it was one of her acts again. She really isn’t a nutcase of a horse, really more quiet and curious. I suppose I could relate that to me, though I know I have the tendency to talk a lot when I grow comfortable with something. I think making small connections like this between me and her are definitely very helpful to me with understanding her. She may not speak English, but she does speak a language mainly everyone understands.

I stood in her pasture for some time, before out stretching my arm and holding a carrot in my palm. She looked over at first somewhat disinterested before realizing there was actually an object in my hand. Immediately, to my delight, Vie came over and lipped it up. I was so overjoyed that she has that much trust in me. I don’t think she’s too low on the trust meter for humans, though she has had a few terrible experiences. I doubt she’ll go into enclosed area easily due to her incident with the cattle trailer.

I hope we’ll be able to work on that sometime later. Today, I also figured out she’s pretty good with halters. She stood still after her carrot, snuffling my hoodie (it had more carrots) while I slipped on her halter and tossed the lead line over her back. I then simply pet her and she surprisingly stood still for me. I really think it’s progress with her. I hope we’ll get to move onto grooming soon because her muddied coat is seriously making me have OCD.

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