Phase 2: Baby Steps

As she watched the anxious mare pace in her stall, Eloise found she felt rather overwhelmed by her. She’d been working with the mare she’d affectionately named ‘Cricket’ for a couple weeks now, and every time she thought they were getting somewhere they’d hit another roadblock. Beyond how difficult it was to keep her contained, she would pace in her stall incessantly, constantly calling out to Eloise or her unseen equine companions. It was the most emotionally distressed she’d ever seen a horse, if she was being honest. She had noted that if she was there with her, of if there was another horse in her direct line of sight it was vastly better, but still an issue Eloise was struggling to overcome with her little project mare.

As she looked down to her project notebook, Eloise examined her Day 1 notes once more. 

Day 1. A mare! I pulled a mare! Tag number 6537, a beautiful little thing, too! The handler at the draw said she was special, cause she was a ‘blue roan sabino splash, and she’s got halo too! She’s an angel, I tell ya!’ I think she’s right :) my lucky little Angel! Maybe that’s what I’ll call her. 

Well, we’re home now and I think that handler at the draw was slightly off base with her. She was perfect for the whole drive home, but the second we put her in the round pen, she leapt out like a deer! I’ve never seen a horse jump like that! (Maybe something to look in to?) Lucky for us, she didn’t go far. She ran across the property, then hopped the fence again right into the turnout field - she made herself right at home with the others. Oh well, I think it’s just first night jitters! I can’t wait to start working with her soon! 

She groaned as she read the first entry, she’d been so cocky the at the draw! She fully assumed she’d be an easy first project horse, and found she had been dead wrong. She’d even joined the makeover Facebook page back before this all started, hoping to be one of the first to share her great progress with the others competing. But as she watched all her fellow makeover members improve, she felt… kind of stagnant. She’d made a little progress with Cricket, sure, but it was crawling while the others were sprinting. She really just nailed down her issues; the jumping and escapes, and the clinginess. 

For the clinginess, she’d started with introducing different types of toys and treats to keep her entertained while in her stall- but those only worked for a few hours at best. She’d placed an order for a stable mirror at the recommendation of her neighbor, but it was yet to arrive. She was fine if they were together, but she couldnt be with her 24/7. And she didn’t want to just give up and shove another horse in there with her, since keeping her in a pasture just wasn’t an option currently. After all, Cricket had jumped every fence on the property, and out of all but the mare and foal stall in the barn. She’d considered potentially putting a goat in there with her, but that meant she'd have to buy a goat.- or some other kind of animal.

She’d been notating it all in her journal, for her own future reference, but most entries were short. She flipped to another page, to an entry detailing the first time she considered giving up. 

Day 7. Cricket jumped out again. She can get over the regular stall doors now, so that’s new. This was the tenth time she’s gotten out this week! She didn’t go straight to the field either, this time she went the opposite way - into the forest, down to the trails. Somebody from down the road brought her back, she’d been on a trail ride when Cricket basically ambushed her. The woman’s poor little gelding was clearly annoyed with the situation, with Cricket all but gluing herself to his side - I’m shocked he didn’t snap or kick her to be honest. She’s not picky about her friends liking her I guess? Whatever. Will try again another day :( 

That was also the first time Cricket had really scared her, and the idea of her getting lost in the woods alone made Eloise’s throat tighten and her heart beat loudly in her ears. She was a pain sometimes, but she loved that little kangaroo. When she wasn’t trying to escape, she was really a sweet mare. Always got her ears forward, with kind eyes and a nicker that could melt anyone’s heart. 

She would figure out how to help her, one way or another. Eloise wasn’t ready to give up yet, not without trying everything and anything she could. She had a notebook, her own personal library of behavioral texts, and the power of a good research session at her fingertips. 

—

When she’d gotten home that evening, she’d gotten right into it - flipping open her laptop and sitting down at her desk, she scrolled through every textbook she could looking for more ideas on how to conquer her anxiety. 

She looked down at her notebook once more, staring at the almost overflowing page labeled “Day 27” with a slight pout. Her jumble of notes wouldn’t make sense to anyone who looked at this, it barely even made sense to herself. She groaned in annoyance, grumbling as she tore the page from the journal. She set it off to the side, starting a new “Day 27” that would be actually structured this time. 

Day 27. Cricket is still anxious, she won’t stop pacing and calling out. Toys help, and so do treats, but only for a day at most. The teddy bear helped for a whopping 36 hours, but she fully ignores it now. 

Ideas: 

• • cut window into stall, make able to see neighbor horse? (Will need to pick the friend wisely) 

• • Stall Mirror (already ordered!! Comes Wednesday) 

• • Pasture only? Really high fence could be built (stupid)

• • Hobbles? (Bad idea, could be dangerous( 

• • Friend in stall? (Bad idea, none of the others like her that much - need way more space) 

• • Medication? (Call vet) 

• • Mini pony, goat, or sheep friend? (Fun excuse to get a new critters) 

She tapped her pen on the desk as she read over it, feeling a little better about the whole thing. Her ideas weren’t perfect, but they were still ideas. She clicked over to the app showing the feed of the stall camera she’d installed, the screen flicking to the live feed. She was hoping she wasn’t still pacing, it broke her heart to see her like that. Luckily, Cricket was fast asleep, much to her relief. ‘As we both should be,’ Eloise thought to herself, it was well past midnight. She’d gotten way too caught up in her research and journaling session, and hadn’t quite felt how tired she was until just this moment. She yawned, stretching out in her computer chair as she pushed away from the desk. She unplugged the laptop, leaving her journal open on her desk as she made her way over to her bed. She plopped down, watching the feed with a half smile.

She was feeling much less stranded, having a fairly good start to her next round of ideas. It wasn’t perfect, but she reminded herself not to beat herself up too badly - she’d never done this before, and as long as they both ended up happy at the end of this, she would consider that a win.