Read Online Great Horse Stories by Rebecca E. Ondov - Free Book Online

forward. It was almost as if Delhi were asking, “Am I doing this right? You want me to move?” The teenager softly spoke words of encouragement and squeezed her legs again, urging the horse on. After a few hesitant steps, the mare confidently lengthened her stride, and Cat’s body swayed rhythmically as they walked around the arena.
    Concentrating on maintaining her body position, Cat pressed her left leg against the mare’s side. Cautiously, Delhi turned right. Cat’s heart leaped. Yes! She rubbed the mare’s neck in reassurance.
    After laps that included turning left and right, the horse’s confidence surged and her response time to Cat’s cues quickened.
    The teenager beamed. Her training was paying off. Delhi was looking to her for leadership without the use of a bridle, with its bit, reins, and chin strap. Cat shifted her weight back, and the mare stopped. “You’ve got that down too! That-a-girl, Delhi!” Cat exclaimed.
    As she stroked the mare’s neck another crazy idea raced through her mind. What would Delhi do if I took her sight away? In the wild, horses are preyed upon by predators, and they rely on their sight and other senses to protect them from danger. Will she follow the cues if I put a blanket over her head? Or will she freak out, bolt, and shake the blanket — and maybe me — off? Cat knew this would be an ultimate test of trust.
    Cat yelled to Holly, asking, “Will you please get me a clean saddle blanket?”
    Holly disappeared into the tack room.
    Cat’s heart raced. With her legs, she loosely gripped the mare’s sides so she wouldn’t get thrown off in case the horse spooked.
    Holly returned and held the blanket up to Cat.
    Reaching down, Cat firmly grasped the multicolored blanket and held it off to the side for Delhi to inspect.
    Turning her head and with her nostrils slightly flared, Delhi sniffed the blanket and then seemed to lose interest.
    Cat exhaled. So far, so good. Draping the blanket over the horse’s neck, Cat leaned forward and slowly pushed it up the mare’s neck toward her head. Inch by inch the blanket slithered up the mare’s neck as Cat offered soft words of encouragement. When it reached the horse’s ears, Cat felt Delhi’s back muscles tense. The mare raised her head more. Cat paused for a moment and held her breath. Grabbing either side of the blanket, she gently lifted it over the mare’s head and let it settle. She grabbed a handful of blond mane and waited.

    â€¢ Delhi and Cat •
    The mare stood frozen in place, every muscle as rigid as steel. Her breathing was faster and shallow.
    The chirping of the birds in the rafters echoed through the arena. Minutes ticked past. Delhi slowly lowered her head to normal position, a sign she’d accepted the circumstances.
    Cat gently rubbed the mare’s neck before shifting her weight forward and nudging the horse with her legs.
    Delhi lifted one front leg high, not sure if she needed to step over something. She swung it forward.
    The teenager grinned. “Good girl, Delhi!” She squeezed her legs again.
    With jerky movements, the mare lifted her legs like she was a high-stepping horse and swung them forward. Step-by-step she trudged around the arena, slowly turning left and right on cue.
    With each response, Cat’s respect for the horse deepened. When they completed the circuit, Cat pulled the blanket off the horse’s head and slid off Delhi’s back. Her heart soared as she wrapped her arms around the mare’s neck and buried her face in the velveteen fur. Cat had achieved her dream in training. Delhi totally trusted her—even being willing to walk blindfolded. Delhi had moved forward in faith—faith in her trainer.
    When Cat shared this special memory with me, my jaw dropped. It had never occurred to me to put a blanket over a horse’s head to see if my training was effective and if the animal