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| After I got Stormy home, I promptly changed her name to "Golden Storm" and color discription from palomino to Silver Buckskin. I felt she needed to start over in life and this was the beginning. I noticed right away that she would pin her ears and strike first. It didn't take me long to realize that she was in the habit of striking first before she would get struck. Upon further analysis, I realized that she was a very slow eater so by squealing and kicking was the only way to ensure she was going to eat. I remedied the situation by giving Stormy her own little paddock and part of the barn isle. At night she was put in there. Close to my donkeys and able to see my other miniature horse and big horses, she was very comfortable. After every morsel of breakfast was eaten, she was turned out with my gentle donkeys along with my other miniature horse "Painted Angel". |
| Stormy arrived at my house on January 18th. She had just turned 9. During those nine years she has been in 6 homes. My trainer knew Stormy because she at one time belonged to her neighbor. Apparently this miniature horse had personality problems and was considered "untrainable". Looking at the below picture I can see why this 33" mini was never registered, I was concerned enough about her conformation that I had an expert on miniature horse dwarfs look at her. The expert just believes she is oddly built and not a dwarf. I also believe she is some sort of diluted buckskin. Her underhair is dark - almost grey. |
| The next thing she needed was attention - and LOTS of it. Well that's easy. I've got 2 kids. After the first 2 days, Stormy let down her guard and became the most affectionate mare I have ever met. She craves to be patted and she will gently rub her face on you and suck on your clothes if you let her. I began to take her for walks - like a dog. She was so very well behaved. Then I taught her to be ponied behind a cart that one of my gentle bomb proof donkeys pulled. She enjoyed these outings so much. Next I started taking her with us to my son, Jimmy's, riding lessons and let her hang out. The other kids would fuss and play with her. This mini is in heaven. |
| It wasn't long before she was ground driving in a halter, then in a halter with a bridle on and finally with just a bridle and surcingle. So easy she was to handle at this point that side passes and turns on the forehand came almost naturally. Finally the big day came when she was hitched to the cart for the first time and walked up and down our street! With Jimmy being a header and I ground driving from behind, Stormy took this all in stride! |
| Part of Stormy's training includes clipping. Below left she is featured with a trace clip. I've discovered other things about Stormy. She loves to run and has unbelievable stamina!. She is very smart and very sensitive. She wanted very badly to have a job and I think I have found one for her. |
| Golden Storm |
| updated 3/25/2004 |
| After many weeks of training, I find a 4H girl willing to show her in the Back-to-Basics Horse Show series's Pleasure Driving Classes. This girl will also show her in the 4H County and Districts show. Stormy continues to improve and learn with each training session. Her attitude remains sweet and willing to please. Then one day, I find the perfect new owner for her. Her name is Sue. Sue has had a mini in the past and has all the gear. Smitten with her own sweet Fjord, she finds room in her heart for Stormy. Very sensitive to Stormy's needs we map out a plan..... |