Mescal is a 9 year old Anglo-Arabian gelding. When Mescal arrived at Bethany Pappani Training in 2009, he was a “backyard-bred” horse. At the age of 8 years, Mescal was yet to be started. He was unsafe to handle, he could not accept grooming procedures, and hypersensitive to any and all interactions. Due to Mescal’s extreme confusion and fearfulness, traditional training methods were not an option.
Mescal’s Rehabilitation
Mescal’s rehabilitation would be one of slow, steady progression. His entire first month was focused on body work. Mescal needed to be desensitized in nearly all aspects of basic handling and care. Mescal also had tension and pain issues from previous incidents of setting back while tied. Mescal was also adjusted by chiropractor, Dr Cheryl Ricketts- Mulvey.
I continued with groundwork, focusing on boundaries, respect & confidence. During his second month, we began mounted work. I was able to saddle and mount Mescal from either side, move him around at a walk trot and canter in both directions calmly with out the rider, however, we have not achieved movement while mounted. ~Normally the first time I back a horse we move backward, then immediately forward, walk & trot. This was a first. Mescal was frozen, and every cell in my body told me DO NOT MAKE HIM GO.
During his 3rd month Rachel Wright, a key member of my training team, began assisting with Mescal’s ground work. Mescal was in desperate need of a trusting relationship with his handlers. Rachel is a very gifted horsewoman, who studied and worked at the Epona* Center for more than a year. Rachel was essential to integrate the key components of trust, non-verbal communication, and working together for the benefit of the team. This allowed us to move forward.
During our first session in the round pen, I mounted Mescal as usual without any issues. Rachel had been working with him at liberty (free) so he understood her cues & direction. As Rachel was preparing to ask Mescal to move forward she asked me what I thought Mescal was afraid of. I replied, I felt he was afraid he would hurt me. She surprised me by asking me what I was afraid of. I replied Eva, before I even realized I was afraid of anything. Eva was a little red mare that threw me to my first and only serious equestrian injury. As soon as I spoke Mescal dropped his head, started to lick and chew, and before I knew it, we were walking off around the round pen, with Rachel along side. She moved to the center and we moved him in both directions, using Rachel’s liberty work, along with light leg & rein aids, so Mescal could make the association. We continued by taking him out on several trail rides with a solid mentor horse, and he continued to gain confidence daily. Within a month, he led for the first time. Watch the video, it truly speaks for itself!
