Echo

After catching the eye of Brittany at the June Joel Connor clinic, she went home and told her family about this sweet pony. They gave SAFE a call and we talked about where Echo was in her training and the work needed to help her. We all agreed they were capable to helping her reach her full potential. One of the big reasons that allowed us to be comfortable with her leaving so soon after coming back to SAFE is that they understand the training we began and are able to continue to support her to make lasting changes.

Brittany’s 8 yr old son is also in love

One of our volunteer riders, Candi, recently rode Echo on the last day of the Joel Connor Clinic. Here is what she said about Echo.

Kaya on Echo

“One look into Echo’s eyes and you see a sweet mare who is finding her groove once again. In the last month she has been introduced into the horsemanship program by Kaya. In November, Echo participated in the Joel Conner clinic. On the third day of clinic, I was able to ride Echo for the first time. We worked on bending, hindquarters, unified circles and a soft feel. The soft feel means the rider uses their body language to help horse follow them just like they are leading a dance and the horse is following. Along with teaching Echo to move her feet while maintaining a soft feel she is finding comfort. She was calm and relaxed throughout the entire session even with several horses and riders moving around her.

Echo is wonderful mare who wants to connect with her rider. She will benefit with continued training in horsemanship even well after adoption. This will help her not only in the arena but on the trails as well.”

Since her arrival at SAFE, Echo’s weight has dropped from 1,100 pounds to a much more height-appropriate 875 pounds. We soak her hay for 30 minutes to decrease sugars and are using hay that is suitable for easy keepers. The hay provides roughage and forage but is not as calorie packed as the orchard grass or alfalfa that other SAFE horses receive.

Echo has had several hoof trims by the farrier, handles fly spray more comfortably than initially, and is even getting some experience with trailer loading. We are working on conditioning ground work and bumping her up to a fence for mounting. She has no trouble being saddled and has had about seven rides. Echo has approximately 30 days of riding ahead of her to check soundness and to check for vices, and will then be started on trails. She has probably been a riding horse in the past but does not appear to have concentrated arena work. Arena work builds the tools, support, and relationship between rider and horse and is important in preparation for going out on the trail. Echo needs to learn to bend — a combination of the head, front end and hind end moving with a suppleness throughout the whole body. Other training objectives for Echo include getting her feet free, learning to change eyes, and not getting upset when a cinch or stirrup touches her side. She’s not a naughty horse, but she’s anxious, so working to get her relaxed and content with a rider on board is important. We estimate it will be another 4–6 weeks of training before she will be introduced as a riding horse.