Wendell Goes to School

As some of you may remember, Wendell was sick last spring. He was very sick. He had colicked , and then days later showed other symptoms. He could barely move. He had Lyme Disease. Medication made him better, but the sickness must have affected his brain. Too much doctoring certainly did a number on his personality. He has always been a friendly "horse next door" kind of guy. He loved nuzzling people, getting treats, and walking with you.

After his illness he stayed in the back part of the pasture like a recluse. He didn't want anything to do with humans or even the other horse. When you were able to get near him, he mouthed your hand like a foal. Much of his behavior resembled a young foal. Our trainer told us that he needed to be trained from the very beginning. It was time for him to go back to pre-school. I have just the person for the job of teacher. D3! Not only is she gifted with animals, but she's ferociously determined.

Here is one of Wendell's first days of school. He had to learn to something as basic as being lead on a lead-line. This is something that will take time. I'm not pricing graduate school programs for him yet, but we hope he can become less scared of all the things he perceives as scary. That would be everything!

Wendell goes to school.

"Let's go to school. Is it lunchtime yet?"

Wendell turns this way when being led,

"Got it."

and that way.

"Easy-peasy!"

The next challenge is walking over poles. This

may sound very easy, but they make a noise 

when you step on them that can be scary to

extra-large foals.

"There's something in the road. I know

I should have taken the school bus."

He's looking at them, but does not hesitate.

"I can do this."

Go, Wendell!

"I think I can. I think I can."

He's doing it.

"I think I can. I think I can. Uh- Is it time for lunch yet?"

Next, he is lead around cones, in a circular pattern.

"Round and round I go. Where I stop nobody knows! Weeeeee!"

Then he stops in front of the cones with poles.

They're something different that the things he 

has just completed.

"Not something new! I liked the little cones."

The cones are knocked down and he doesn't

spook.

"You knocked  them down. I'm not picking them up.

I will even walk in between them if you double dare me!"

"I've got this cone thing mastered!"

As I said, it will take a while! Thanks to D3 for the help she's giving him.