Page 52 - ST November 2013

community

battle and tells him, “Do not fear, you will not die, I With great caution and safety in mind, we started

will go with you.” What a perfect name. Contigo. For riding Contigo. He was unsure at irst and tended to
the little horse that fears death, but feels safe when go introverted, but we went really slowly, and each

he is with you. So that is the name we chose.
time we got on him he was a little more conident.

So Contigo’s healing and rehabilitation began. We He was deinitely not aggressive and we didn’t need
immediately put into practice all the horse psychol- shin pads or a muzzle! I had the highlight of my year

ogy we have learned, thanks to the Parelli organiza- - or maybe the highlight of my whole horse experi-

tion. We did not conine him in any way that would ence - when in November I rode Contigo, the little
make him panic. We didn’t tie him or hold him tight “un-rideable” horse, all around our farm property.

or put him in a stall without company. We made He absolutely loved it, as did I.

sure he got lots of physical touch, which he seemed I can only imagine the trauma this little fellow
to thrive on, and we didn’t demand anything from has been through over the short four years of his

him while he was getting to know us and his new sur- life. Being shipped from Columbia, probably as a

roundings. Contigo tended to startle and panic easily breeding stallion; being conined when he got to
if anything sudden happened. We just allowed him Canada because he was a stallion; being totally mis-

to move his feet until he calmed down. Although he understood by his trainers and probably being forced

startled easily, he always calmed back down quickly, to do many things that terriied him; being sent to
especially if you rubbed his ears and head.
auction and bought only to be sent back for another

We could see improvements in Contigo’s coni- traumatic auction experience; and who knows what

dence every day. By the end of the irst week, we were all else.
able to leave him in his stall for short periods without We have learned so much from this little jewel, as

him panicking, and within three weeks he was calm have our students. We have learned how important it

enough to start working with students in our therapy is to look on the inside; to igure out the horses’ per-
sessions.
spective, and the fears and insecurities that they have

Although Contigo was the smallest horse we had, no control over; to be patient and more patient and “

he was the most dominant. Even our very dominant even more patient; to examine our own motives, par-
herd leader backed down to Contigo. There was ticularly our pride and agendas. And all these things

something about him. The horses just knew he was not only apply to horses but also to people. If we can

not to be messed with. As time went on and Contigo take these lessons and apply them to the people we
became more and more comfortable with his new inluence every day, maybe we can make the world a

surroundings and pasture mates, he became more better place not just for horses, but people too!

laid back, and the horses became less fearful of him, Note: Once our horses are physically and emotion-
but he still remains the boss.
ally healthy, we ind them permanent homes so that

We worked with Contigo on ground skills, building we can rescue more horses. If you think you might be

relationship and conidence over the summer months Contigo’s dream partner, let us know! ST
and early into the fall of 2012. I wasn’t really planning

on trying to ride Contigo until the spring, but one Gateway Equine Healing Centre is located near

week in October I saw a big change in Contigo. It was London, ON, Canada. Gateway is a place where
like he inally realized he was totally safe. He was people and horses who are hurting come together

telling me he was ready.
to help each other towards recovery from the

damaging efects of abuse. Horses are rescued from
I had the highlight of my year
abuse, and women and teens who have also sufered

abuse come to Gateway to learn how to help the
- or maybe the highlight of my horses recover. They learn how to care for the horses’

physical needs, but even ore importantly, they learn
whole horse experience - when
how to care for the horses’ emotional needs. As the
in November I rode Contigo, the students help the horses recover, they in turn ind

healing for their own hurts. gatewayequinehealing-
little “un-rideable” horse.
centre.com

50 | Savvy Times November 2013