PHASE 1 - A New Beginning

Early one June morning, Madeleine arrived at the yard to pick up a horse who was in desperate need of a new home. 

The horse was given to a rescue centre after reports of abuse and negligance was made against his previous owner. However there were too many horses coming in at the time and not enough space at the centre. Fortunately, as Madeleine had success with rehabilitating a thoroughbred last year, they asked if she would be able to take this boy home and give him a second chance. And ofcourse, she took up the opportunity. 

From her understanding, this horse was beaten in his past life and will panic at the sights of sticks including crops, whips, tree sticks etc and also fails to stand quiet when tied. She was excited though, as she has never even seen a Loshenka horse before and this was something new to her. 

When she arrived, she met the rescue team and they took her to see the horse. He was in a paddock by himself, hunched up in the corner and looking over anxiously. But Madeleine was in no rush, she asked to stay for a while and get to know this handsome boy before chucking him on the trailer. 

She leaned up against the fence and offered some sugar cubes. 

"Hello Handsome boy, I know you're sweet so I'm sure you'll love these."

The horse payed more attention to Madeleine but kept still. Curious but cautious. But Madeline had patience and roughly after 20 minutes, the horse slowly and cautiously, approached her.It was at this point, she could clearly see the scars left on his quarters. Clearly from fustration of the previous owner's riding. 

He seemed to love the sugar cubes, munching on them happily, meanwhile letting Madeleine gently pet his neck. She was taken back on how soft his fur was, like dipping her hand into thick, fleece blanket. 

The yard manager approached the pair and asked how they are getting on. She also explained how the horse didn't have a passport so he doesn't have a registered name, nor do they know his full background other than the reports made against his past owner. 

She explained how he's good as gold to lead on the rein, but doesn't like being tied at all. He will often always, pull on the rope and figit when tied to something, trotting in place. So the ride home should be fun...

It's possible to put a headcollar on him, however, you'll need to be slow and gentle as quick movements make him panic. However they've never tried tacking him up or tried riding him since his arrival at the rescue centre so thats something Madeleine would need to work out by herself. 

When it was time to leave, she brought him to box but he planted himself at the ramp reluctant to get on. Madeleine, circled him and tried to load him after each circle, rewarding him with a sugar cube everytime he made more and more progress getting onto the ramp. 

He wasn't naughtly, he was scared. He haven't long left his previous owners and now he's being taken away from the rescue yard with no idea where he'll end up. But eventually, he realised that Madeleine didn't have bad intentions and gave the box a chance. 

Madeleine set up the camera in the box to keep an eye on him whilst on the road and made their way back home.A new Beginning.