Barefoot Horse

CAMMIE'S FINAL JOURNAL ENTRY

DECEMBER 18, 2005

December 18, 2005: The closing of a long rehab journal.

FINAL UPDATE
PHOTOS 12-18-05 BELOW

Cammie/Winnie is an amazing little trouper. She's a survivor and and fighter. Since I met her about a year and 1/2 ago, I've watched her personality change from a withdrawn, old, sad mare with severe issues to a mare who is outgoing and has alot of love to give and offers it. She has a "wise" aura about her; one that doesn't put up with any malarchy but one who is sweet and giving to those who are open and honest with her. She loves her walks in our woods; she loves to be groomed and she's learning how to play gameswith humans. Her owner is not able to be with her as much as she'd like so I give alot of the care and hugging. Cammie/Winnie also has anotherfriend who volunteers her time and love to simply dote on her. Cam adores this! Cammie/Winnie has become a "Penzance" horse in all contexts. (See www.thepenzancehorse.comto find out just what is a 'Penzance Horse'.) I love watching themetamorphisis of those horses who come from utilitarian backgrounds to become whole horses in a place where they are respected as a live soul- each with his or her own personality.

I warn my clients, many times, that the horse I start to treat isprobably going to change personalities as the 'whole horse' recovers. I
see this as a change not only in the horse but in the owners'personalities, too. They come to know a deeper relationship with the
horse and their own personalities and realities change in perspective.They begin to learn "from the source" - from the horses, themselves. Those horses who are sluggish with a sticky "go forward" button change into willing, forward horses. Some get a bit raucous; other may get mischievous; and others become more outgoing and seeking ofhuman touch and attention. I've watched a horse who suffered for years with mismanagment of his hooves (by years I mean 6+ with the same owner and many more before that), who used to "hide" in the corner of his stall, become the first to greet anyone who goes to the barn. He now willingly comes to me and holds up his own hooves. I don't even halter this horse to trim his hooves. He stands and offers each hoof to me asI ask. He seeks touch instead of turning away from it. At 23years old this horse has become even a bit more lively than the owner can reckon with under saddle. Now the owner is learning as his horse is teaching him. The same is true with Cammie. She is a wonderful teacher, but, atthe same time, can be a bit stubborn. I would rather have a horse actively be stubborn, though, than one that just simply "responds" begrungedly, with the human. The horses who are actively stubborn or actively acting against the human requests are those who are thinking and those who make the best teachers for their humans.
It becomes awin-win situation for all involved.

And so it goes with Cammie aka "Winnie". Her hooves have gone from bleeding, perforating messes to the hooves you see below. They are not "text book" by any means but they are whole, they are solid and best of all, they don't hurt anymore. They are "just right" for Cammie. Because she has other physical issues with her arthritis in various parts ofher body, she is not ridden regularly. On a "good day" a lighter rider may get on just for a short walk through the woods. A "friendship"ride; not a "working" ride. We've not put a saddle on this mare's back and probably she will never again feel the heaviness of a saddle. Sheis happy with just someone simply sliding gently on her back on a whim with a halter and lead; I believe this is a her gift to the human, personally. With all her nasty background and her years ofmerely being a trail pony (giddyup, horse! Let's move it!) with hoovesthat were constantly in pain, people kicking her sides to 'make her go', living with no respect and no consideration for her well-being, I
believe she is enjoying the opportunity to give to humans when SHE wants to; not when she's forced to do so. And that's fine with me and everyone else here at Penzance. This is her home; this is her haven. She bickers with her "neighbor" even bucking up at him when he says something "rude" to her. She grazes on the grass during summer months unfenced; not bound by any wire or board, and she seems content and happy. I'm glad for that. I'm glad for her and I'm glad for the lessons she's taught me and others who have connected with her.

With this writing and these updated photos, Winnie's "hoof rehabilitation" chapter is closing. Her hooves merely need maintenance
trimming now. It's been a long journey with her hooves but now she can live life whole and in peace for the rest of her days here at Penzance.

Almost a Year Later -- FINAL UPDATE PHOTOS 12-18-05

Standing on wonderful, frozen, icy, snowy, rutted New England ground. Tough going! Rings on hooves evident of environmental changes from dry to mud to freezing snow and ice in very quick sequence of weather events this past couple of months.