KENNA: Born of Fire - Winter Update

 Kenna and the Winter Season

We have had lots of snow, rain, ice, and mud this season. With only an outdoor arena to work in, training has been slow going. However we have been doing lots of interaction exercises, from simply grooming to leadership walks outside the arena. She is putting on some muscle, learning social skills with the other mares and is simply thriving. Besides advancing her groundwork and riding skills, we are going to be working with her on understanding that the stall is a good thing and that we always come back. She does not like to be left alone so we have to address that. One challenge at a time.

Trailering is the other project. W have had to borrow or rent trailers over the last few years. On Sunday we pick up a new to us three horse, slant load stock style trailer with a tack/dressing room. We'll begin hauling Kenna over to a friends facility to work in the indoor arena during the winter. We have several expos and events coming up this season that we need to prepare Kenna (and Ronan) for and now we can do this as needed. Pretty excited!

So for know...we keep doing what we are doing with Kenna. It may not be exciting but it is critical to her development as a good Equine Partner. She has really be a nice horse to work with overall. As she gets more healthy and more secure/confident her personality has shown through. A little sass is expected but her huge heart keeps winning us over.

Stay tuned!

KENNA: First Off-Property Experience!

 SUNDAY JANUARY 15, 2023....Kenna had her first off property experience!

Kenna traveled to Lucky Star Stables in Clinton Corners, NY to help (and experience) at the January Connection Session and Obstacles Practice. She did great! Loaded nicely and traveled well. We had no idea if she ever was in an indoor arena before and we know she has not had much exposure to unfamiliar horses prior to her coming into our reality on October 10, 2023. Add to this the Obstacles that were set up prior to our arrival and is being very cold/windy outside, which made the arena make noises!

SHE ROCKED IT!

Kenna was a solid Teachers Assistant for the Collaborative Groundwork and Cooperative Riding aspects of the session and even tried a few of the obstacles we had set up!

We could not be more proud of Kenna and her progress in just three short months (she does not get worked every day so realistically its closer to 2.5 months)!

Here is a short video of her working with Michael at the Connection Session: https://fb.watch/i5-Cw-tQIs/

More pictures and videos will be posted soon at https://www.facebook.com/luckystarhorsemanshipnewyork

Thanks for reading!

KENNA: Born of Fire - 12/24/2022 - 01/07/2023

KENNA'S JOURNEY SO FAR...

It is the season of snow, mud, sprains, strains and tossing shoes like its a job! Normally the barn we work out of moves for the winter to facilities that have indoor arenas so we do not have to reduce training days. This season that has not happened for a variety of reasons outside our control so training days are reduced to those times when the outdoor arena is not to muddy or the weather is mild.

Time off....is a GOOD THING for most horses and REALLY important for horses with histories like Kenna! During the down times we work on connection...grooming, taking walks around the property and just spending "non work" time together. This encourages connection and communication. It reminds the horse that the human is a source of POSITIVE things and that being around them is a really good deal.

Kenna is getting fit and putting on some much needed muscle. She is not as afraid of the bit, and is growing more confident as she unpacks her baggage and learns to be a good equine partner. She is showing her personality and confidence more too. We have some fun plans for her training as the seasons change and we hope to be exposing her to new places and new experiences!

It is a journey, not a race!

Kenna was an unexpected blessing to say the least. She has a good mind and a willing heart. At this stage of her journey we could not ask for anything more. Hard to believe that in just three days, we will be at the three month mark.

It is a journey, not a race...and the journey is beautiful.