My My Story
Some of my Parelli friends who knew I was looking for another horse and had spotted this horse at a Florida Rescue and had sent pictures. I thought they were crazy? FLORIDA? There are plenty of needy horses right here in Colorado! But my Parelli instructor, Anja Holst, kept working on me to take a look at her. She said she would be the perfect partner for me. How could she tell that from 2000 miles away? So I began to investigate Monet (who later became Isabelle), talked at length to the Florida Rescue leader and had her vetted. She checked out as a good prospect.
I put my faith in Anja, bought her in late November 2009 for $100 donation and in December 2009 Isabelle had arrived. The man who transported Isabelle commented that she was one sweet little mare.
Colorado is very cold in the winter and Isabelle came from Florida so the first challenge was to blanket her.
She thought she was going to be killed by the BIG FOOT of all blankets and she could not be caught.
I used all of my Parelli knowledge, which all worked to catch her in time, but she wasn't confident or happy. Anja came over and we spent an afternoon playing an advanced catching game and with her coaching and homework I was able to gain Isa's confidence and she became catchable and happy to be with me. This was an invaluable time. Then, with Anja's tutelage, we began ground skills with my green little mare. My learning curve was increasing exponentially with this horse because she is a RBE and I had never had one before. Cool!
Then I took Isa and my Arabian mare, Willow, to one of Anja's clinics in Belen. I worked with the obstacles on the playground and practiced ground skills on the 45 line. I rode Willow in the class and Isa followed her like a foal. That was my first clinic with Isa, she was still unconfident and unsure but I knew we were making progress. She wanted to have a leader and someone she could trust . Duh! Love, Language and Leadership! Oh how I could see our relationship that Anja knew would come in time. (Very smart that Anja).
Then on our second trip to Belen Anja straddled the top of a 2 tire squeeze as I led Isa through until she was able to sit on her. This process took several hours. Whew! I love that about Anja she doesn't quit until the job is done. Isa was growing more confident with us and we were all elated to watch her transformation.
When we got home we continued to build Isa's confidence and Anja put her first rides on her. Isa wanted to do all that Anja asked of her and seemed to enjoy the path that we were taking her on. This horse has hardly any opposition reflex, she is just unconfident but so willing to do what you want. I knew she was what I was looking for and she needed someone like me to help her. We are a match!
Then came our third trip to Belen. On this trip I rode Isa in the clinic in mostly a passenger lesson and practiced even more on her confidence and relaxation. It was her 10the ride. Then we went on her first trail ride with 3 of our Parelli girlfriends. The ride was 4 miles long and went along a road between 2 ditches where there were plenty of things to spook at including flying ducks. I got to see what Isa's spook was like. I can ride it!!! She was fantabulous, confident, easy, listening and even wanted to be the leader of the herd at times.
Isabelle is a SUPER FINO and a testament to the Parelli method and especially, Anja Holst. Isa is one sweet little mare and I look forward to having her as my partner for a very long time. Really words cannot convey all that took place in our minds and hearts, but if you have been there you know what I am talking about. Beautiful, beautiful experience.
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