I type this with tears streaming down my face because the horse that I always knew would be the making of me as a horsewoman has done his job........he lead me to Monty to find a way to do right by him and for me to learn life lessons overdue in their teaching.
Cherokee was a misguided but well intended birthday gift & a horse i knew of before being presented to me on my birthday. A stunning top bred 16 hh Paint Stallion.....now I'm no newbie to horses or stallion ownership but on that day I cried! no tears of joy but devastation.....this horse was a big big problem.....I had seen it with my own eyes. I had an idea of the money spent and he was more costly than the average family car.......had I just had a budget I would have had two or more top bred well trained horses for the same money.
This horse was a handful......one word ANGRY......two words VERY ANGRY!!
And I only have one arm.....a big out of control angry mishandled stallion and a one armed handler......mmmmmmm
I sought help from various places and standard answer was "Geld him" and for the record this is still a very real possibility as I could do so much more with him. But I also felt that it wasn't going to change him that much toward humans.....he was and is one of the most sweetest Stallions I have ever seen to his mares....paddock serving or hand serving......he accepts geldings in his herd with no maliciousness , even reprimanding over bossy mares towards geldings...... protective & plainly patient & soft. I spent hours watching him.....hours.....watching him interact with horses and I feel in love with him just from that. But sadly his human interaction was the complete opposite....I assessed it as a "I will get you before you get me" attitude.....the minute a halter was placed on his head battle lines are drawn. I know his background and was told to "just flog him if he props, mucks up etc" Great advice.....NOT...And I have one arm while I flog him what am I holding him with?????
I knew that this was bigger than me.....that my knowledge although has served me well with many years of wonderful horses.....started from babies.....need something extra....and I needed to do it......Shy Boy "popped" into my head.....MONTY ROBERTS......on the net i went and to my delight found Equus Online Uni.......signed up.......watched & watched & WATCHED!!!!
Yesterday I did join up & follow up with my little mare Saph....we have an amazing relationship & I educated her from a baby.......it was text book.....and such a joy......today was just the same....a joy.
I noticed Cherokee staring intently at the proceedings and thought should i could I or should I practice more first...is he a horse I should try a little later on with a few more under my belt......my gut said No!!
I took him into the round yard and we began join up......I was almost holding my breath just waiting for his cues that I was speaking to him.....?I got ear....I got smaller circles......I got licking & chewing.......what do I do now.......he didn't lower his head.....do i invite him in......what do I do???
I invited him in......he dropped his head right to the ground and came to me then off we went for follow up.....a few figure eights and we stopped.....I rubbed him on his head and he dropped it to my knees and.........
Sighed the biggest longest sigh I have ever heard a horse sigh.
I began to cry......I listened, I spoke his language and he welcomed me, with the same softness he does with his equine friends.....I FINALLY GOT IT RIGHT....FOR HIM FOR ME FOR ALL HORSES I DEAL WITH IN THE FUTURE!!!
Oh what a magical place....I am blessed.......for Cherokee and Monty have lead me there.......i have achieved alot with horses, won at the big shows but nothing can or will ever beat what I did today!!!!
We are going to be okay.......
Wow Jen what a story! My eyes were glistening with tears as i read how he dropped his head to your feet. I remember the first time i did join up with my Brumby, just out of the wild. It was such an emotional moment. But the first time he put his nose to my feet and let me rub under his neck, he had complete trust in me to do that, was a beautiful moment that i never wanted to end and probably even more emotional than join up even. I can relate your emotions and joy with this experience and i wish you all the very best on you journey with Cherokee. He has found himself in the best place to heal all those inner wounds.
Janelle
P.S Yes you both are going to be ok now!!!!! Yay for Monty Roberts!!
The start of a beautiful journey.It's wonderful.
Hi jenn,
Thank you for describing this beautiful experience you had with Cherokee!
He couldn't have found a better place on earth, this is a lifechanging process for both of you...
Keep us posted on your journey, please.
Miriam
Thanks so much for sharing this very touching story with us Jenn. You are amazing and so is Cherokee so good luck for your future together.
Wow! What a fantastic story, so inspiring. Good luck to both of you.
It is awesome that u observed him for hours and realized the problem had been caused by humans.We have a paint mare whose registered name is Flying Jewels Lady but the people we bought her from called her Cherokee and so do we.She has been a wonderful horse.Thank u for sharing your story and not listening to the humans who said flog,geld him.
Oh Jenn - I have just realised after reading your other thread for the first time that you did join up with Cherokee the day after your very first join up with your little mare Saph. Wow!! how brave of you and congratulations on both your two fantastically successful join ups. All that watching of Monty's videos and your practice sessions certainly paid off. Cherokee sounds such a handful so all the very best with him. Please keep us up dated and good luck.