I'm FREEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The gate was open from the paddock to the outside world. Allison was catching her pony, Scout, that was full of energy and Diesel was waiting behind him. You can guess what happened next. Allison took Scout out, Diesel followed...

"Watch this Scout!" I ran out from behind Scout and in front of him. I could hear the human behind me yelling to the other human, Lea out in the pasture. I  was headed to the gate. It was OPEN!!!
"LEA!" the human behind me yelled. Then Lea ran from the pasture to TRY and catch me. Oop, can't get me! I'm goin to the trailer! Haha, not the dad too! Weehoo!!! I'm going through the corncrib. Scout whinnied for me, "I'll be back Scouty!" I answered. I pranced through the pumpkin field while the humans yelled. I could hear one of them wiggle the grain bucket. Who needs grain?! I'm FREE!!!!!!!!! I galloped through the driveway and back around the garage. The whole time the humans are trying to get to come to the grain. Ok, fine. I trotted up to Lea, she had the grain. I grabbed a bite and ran off again! She wasn't happy. Then the dad came around. haha, watch this Eddie! Who is now galloping in the pasture. What a moron. I trotted through the tomatoes and galloped back up from behind the round pen. Aw man... Dad and Lea got me in the corner of the round pen and the pasture. I was cornered. Lea tried to feed me grain, but who needs grain? Eddie whinied again. I rolled my eyes. "You're not supposed to leave the humans Diesel!!!" He said. "They are part of the herd!" Ah, yeah no Ed... You baby! Then Allison, the person who so kindly let me out, opened the pasture wire and I went in. Fine... I guess my 15 MINUTES of freedom is over...

Cool Temps = LOTS OF ENERGY

Hi everybody,

Diesel is doing so well. I just have to tell you that in a short six months (yep, he has been here for six months already) he is just a member of our herd; like he has been here forever. He loves to cozy up for scratches, waits patiently for a handful (or two, or three) of sweet feed, gets a little TOO confident and wants to bite the big boys, and even gets a little bratty with us. But bratty in such a sweet way. And boy does he have energy. He and Scout ran about 5 laps around the track the other day. Even Lea got concerned.....are they gonna stop?!?!?!? He is such a nut. He rings his neck like he is the big boss, trots around like he owns the place, and is such a happy exuberant camper! I kept waiting for him to show us some inkling of his spunky hinny-enality -- I guess we just needed to wait for the cooler weather!

The other day he reached over to take a little nip from Lea and she responded, "oh, how cute is that!" Tells you where are heads are at with loving our boys. I think many folks would have yelled, "hey, quit that." Not us. We never want to knock the curiosity out of our boys. And, the best part is that we know he is not doing to be mean, but just to play. Because it is the kind of little nip that makes you smile.

Recently, Lea's very good friend Rebecca informed us that her barn owner rescued 3 mini's. Some older gentleman, all in a good way, bought these 2 mini horses and a mini donkey to give them a home. But, once he bought them, he basically just opened the trailer and let them be wild in a pasture (with food water and shelter, of course) for a couple of years. So, they haven't been handled by humans for those years. The 2 mini horses are shy, but coming around, but the mini donk is really feral. Oh, how I wish we could take him. I would take him in a minute and just help him to trust again. But, we are so totally out of room. As it is, we had to convert part of our aisleway into a stall for Diesel! So, sadly, he is off to a sale and who knows what will happen to the little dear. If you have room for him and would like to help him to learn to trust again, let me know!!!!

Anyway, back to Diesel. He progresses every day. We give him lots of space. And, it is good to know on these very cold and rainy days we have been having lately, he is warm and dry inside with all the hay he can eat!

Tomorrow promises to be sunnier. So while I am at work, perhaps I can have Lea play more games and begin to take him into Parelli Level Two! He is ready!

So, Diesel says hi and wants everybody to know that if he can learn to trust and become part of a family, any horse can!

Get off your... short horse?

Lately Diesel thinks he is Mr. High and Mighty. What did they say about Seabiscut? He may be little, but he is fierce. The funny thing, Diesel doesn't think he's short. Although he was going to bite Eddie on the rump when they were together,but he thought twice about that. "Hmm, maybe I am short!"
So when my mom played the seven games with him he did a few figure eights.... and... just... left! "I've had enough of these things!" LBIntroverts do need variety! So when this rain stops, we're going to play with some transitions and traveling circles over some poles. We shall see if that engages his mind. =-)


~Lea

What a boy!

Gosh life has been busy. Busy with farm events, busy with horses, busy with homeschooling. Busy, busy, busy! BUT, I want to make time to post about all the comings and goings of our little Diesel! He is but one word ~~ amazing.

When we brought Diesel home, some folks around here recognized him. Told us he was a "bugger," that he was a kicker, that he was difficult, that he did not trust, that he did not bond, that he was just..... more or less a pain in the neck.

Well, everyone was WRONG.

He is NOT a "bugger," he does NOT kick, he is NOT difficult, he DOES trust, he DOES bond, and he is the apple of my eye!

All because...... yep, you guessed it...... we took the time it takes - so it took less time. We are letting him just be who he is and we respect him for that. And, in return he is absolutely wonderful.

He does think the Parelli 7 games are a waste of his time. BUT, I know that once I up my savvy and help him become more interested, we will be doing some fun and interesting things. Things that even Diesel will think are worthwhile.

So, he is doing great. This is truly home for him and he is a happy little mini hinny here with his herd and here on our farm.

Thanks for checking in!

Marianne

P.S. I promise to be more timely with Diesel's updates, because his journey is worth the read!

Seven Games

Diesel has been doing so great with the 7 games lately.

Friendly Game is going great. The carrot stick is his biggest hurdle (looks like a whip) but I've been able to rub his belly with it and he's doing much better with it. 

Porcupine Game is light and responsive! He is so light. All yields are Level 1!

Driving Game is going well with his HQ and his FQ are coming along nicely. All Level 1!

Yoyo Game is GREAT! Completely Level 1! He backs up with just a phase 2 or 1.

Circling Game is getting there. He's done two laps without breaking gait, so it's coming along. Now we just have to get him engaged! =-)

Sideways Game is going slow. He's taken one step though! YAY DIESEL!

Squeeze Game he has down pat. He does it great!

Yep so that's where we're at! Here are pictures from yesterday. Diesel was following Scout around on the circle. "Look! I know how to circle too!"

Rain and My Friends the Wimps!

(From Diesel's perspective)
Remember the part of the Wizard of Oz where the wicked witch was afraid of water because she would melt? Well, that would describe the "leader" of our herd, Eddie.
Right..... he is the leader.....leader of the herd......the dominent one......big Kahuna........but, the secret is out......
HE HATES THE RAIN -- HE HATES TO GET WET -- HE GETS UPSET WHEN IT THUNDERS -- HIS THINKING IS: WHERE IS MY STALL, LET ME COME IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now, I know that I have supposedly been through a lot - being left in that big wooded lot and all. But, if only my new family understood that it probably made me a wee bit braver. So, I was okay, pretty lonely, but I made it through. "Cuz here I am, in my new home that I love ('cuz man do they give good treats!)
Anyway, I learned that rain, wind, snow and all that other good stuff isn't too bad. But, my family seems to think we should all be safe and dry in our stalls when it is pouring out. We do get lots of hay and we are all together - so it isn't too bad.
But come on people!!!!!
It is just a little bit 'o water! WE WILL NOT MELT! I assure you, I have tried it.
Scout just is happy hanging wherever the gang is; but man, Eddie is the king of wimps when it comes to rain!
Me, I was a pretty cranky camper yesterday and this morning since we had to be in and I made sure my new family knew it. I was pawing, jumping up, and make a general ruckus to let them know that I REALLY CAN PUT UP WITH THE RAIN.
So, I know that "they" know I am just fine in the rain and mud; but somehow I don't think that things are going to change when it rains. "They" want us safe and dry. And I guess that is okay. I will get used to it. I know it is just because they love us.
BUT....... I think I am the leader during the rainy days. Now I just have to get Eddie to believe it and my new family.
Stay dry until next time!
Diesel

New video!

Here's a new video of Diesel running around today! It was so cute!!! Scout ran with him a little bit, then thought the grass was better than running. He was so happy and it was so funny to watch!
What a silly dude!