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Help from Dawn Rothwell BHSII |
Molly is a 15 hand high cob that has had an upsetting life, she had been rescued and taken to some stables, her new owner and the owner of the yard managed an understanding relationship, the other people who rented at the stables called her 'Mad Molly' and hated her. Her owner gave her as much time as she could but as she was relocating to Scotland she needed to find a new home for her. |
When we took Molly in we found that she mistrusted us and that she hated anyone passing her stable. She would lunge out with her teeth but did prefer to miss you, if she caught your coat she would be on the defensive and turn her back legs towards you ready to kick. If you went into the stable and looked her in the face she would turn her back legs toward you and threaten to kick. If you happened to pass her with a brush, shovel or pitchfork she would definitely lunge at you. |
Basically in the past she had been very badly treated and Molly was very frightened and always on the defensive. Her last owner had a very good one to one relationship with Molly and this is easier for her to understand, but at the sanctuary we have many different helpers and staff. |
Dawn Rothwell was just what we were looking for, someone who understands horse and human body language. Dawn has worked with Monty Roberts, Richard Maxwell and Kelly Marks who have taught her how to read the body language of the equines and how to answer back without causing any trouble between herself and the horse. |
Dawn has taught us how to ask Molly to come to us without speaking a word or upsetting her in any way. We can also open her stable door and she will not run out ahead of us, but will wait until we lead the way. If we walk towards her hind legs she will turn so her head is facing our shoulders, which is better than seeing two hind feet coming for your head. |
Molly has done join up and follow with all the staff at the sanctuary, she will shadow you around the paddock like a little puppy dog, not wanting to attack or run off with the other horses, she will play games in the paddock if we run off she will follow, if we run off while zig zagging from side to side she will too, she just wants human contact, but with humans that will understand her fear. |
Molly's attitude is slowly getting much better. This is not an instant cure, but in two days there was a wonderful change and with Molly and Dawns help the staff have learned a lot in three days. Dawn has managed to change the horse's attitude here from nasty to nice. |
Watch this space for more of our problem horses solved. If you need help with your problem horses, such as Napping, Kicking, Biting etc or would like to learn Equine Body Language then Call Dawn Rothwell BHSII on 01457 871337. |
