Endy was only 2 years old when he decided to lie down and roll in his stall during a particular meal. Although he started in the center of the stall, he scooted around until he rolled into one of the panels. He literally had his hind legs sticking through the lowest bar and braced against the upright post in the center of the panel. He was stuck.
I happened to see him land and rushed over to help. Rather than following traditional training where you loop a long rope over their hind feet and pull them over, I chose to do things “my way” (as usual). Besides, this was not your typical entrapment where the legs are resting against a wall and you simply pull them over. Endy’s legs were sticking through the panel bars.
I calmly told him he was in trouble and to let me help. He relaxed and let me lift his legs up off the bar, slide them around the upright, shove them into his tummy, and slide them under the panel. This was no job for the rope method – that is, for a horse who is willing to let you do what you want with his legs. It was so easy and quite amazing – Endy already weighed over 1000 lbs, with legs and feet nearly twice the size of our 16 hand thoroughbred.
I’d never seen a horse get cast before. I wasn’t sure if he’d try to flail himself loose. One thing I knew, the sooner he was free, the less chance of him getting upset. It’s all about relationship. I trusted him to cooperate and not kill me with his feet, and he trusted me to get him loose.
With Endy’s feet under the panel, he was still stuck, but much more comfortable. This time, I calmly informed him he was still in trouble and I needed help to get him out. He replied with an “ok, I‘ll take a nap” and promptly laid his head down! With that settled, I “calmly, yet urgently” called to Ben, who was visiting with Thyme and Odella. I kept my tone calm because the herd is sensitive to our vocal inflections and I could easily upset them, which could endanger Endy if he were to get upset. As Ben came around Thyme’s pen, he was shocked to see Endy lying flat out in his stall. Only my tone reassured him that it wasn’t as bad as it looked.
Together, Ben and I disconnected and hoisted the panel up off of Endy. By the way, this was one of those heavy duty 6 foot tall panels – the best kind for tall drafts. As soon as we said he was free, Endy hopped up and shook the dust off and said “thanks guys, I knew you could do it”.
What a doll. Endy was putty in my hands. Dr. Miller’s Imprinting we did during his early days and the Parelli games we’ve played with him throughout his short life, proved their immense value in this situation.
Serenity Equestrian Center and Feathered Dream Drum Horses are family owned and run. Serenity’s Equine Therapy program is not a therapeutic riding school, but focuses solely upon the emotional wellness of the visitors. Visit (right click) Serenity Equestrian Center to learn more about SEC. Proceeds from Gayla’s personal coaching at EFT Lady and Prayer Lady support the feeding, housing, and clothing of SEC’s herd. Private donations also support the herd’s needs and go toward the playground and building funds. Make a Donation at PayPal. Thank you!
Tags: EFT, EFT Lady, Feathered Dream Drum Horses, Gayla, Prayer Lady, Serenity Equestrian Center, Serenity’s Equine Therapy, Veterans
