Altius Volantis - Soaring Higher!

A couple years ago I took Truby to her second horse show. Truby is really, really, really good at things at home. At home, she's easy to handle, usually unafraid of random things like tarps or other "scary things"...

barnmate bought out the Dollar Store

to help desensitize her baby horse

we played too

Unfortunately, as soon as we step off the property, LIFE IS TERRIFYING OMG!!!!!!!!!! I've owned Truby for almost her entire life, so this is 100% my fault. It's not a thing we did when she was young, and, um...it shows. 

So anyway, a couple years ago I took Truby to a show. I gave up a few minutes into the warm up, when she ended up standing in the middle of the ring mindlessly bucking and kicking out. Poor Trub. Her brain just falls out of her head and all that's left is panic. Our barn owner at the time took her little daughter to all the nearby shows, and said we could tag along anytime there was an open spot in the trailer. And we did. We'd go to the shows, and walk and scream, and walk, and walk, and scream, and walk...after a couple shows Truby actually started to keep her brain between (below?) her ears and realize Everything Was Fine. Huzzah! 

Kids, take your horses trail riding, to shows, to your trainer's, to your friend's barn, to wherever when they're young! It's easier than when they're old and set in their ways. Also, when you're old and set in your ways!

The second show Truby got exposed to had a costume class. It was a small, very friendly little schooling show, and you could ride or walk. We're pretty brave when everyone has their feet on the ground, so I figured it would be safe to enter, and a great experience for her. But first! A costume! I really wanted to do a My Little Pony costume, because I was born in the 80s and grew up with MLP. And I love the latest series, Friendship is Magic. 

I was kinda adorable back in the day

But I didn't want to do an all over color job, because I'm lazy and that's a lot of work...but I didn't want to do a cheesy looking blanket for body color thing. That's when it hit me...be a Wonderbolt!

Wonderbolts

I did dye her tail

so pretty!

I used a sleezy-type blanket as the uniform, some by-the-yard felt for wings, a see through mesh fabric for the googles, and vet wrap and tape for the legs. I dyed her tail purple (wrap her tail in tinfoil? no problem! Walk off the property? ZOMGNOOOOO!!!! Oh, Truby.) For the mane/forelock I used a little feather boa. I learned I hate crafting, I'm too impatient! But I got it done, and I think it turned out fab-u-loooousssss! 

My Wonderbolt

We got dressed while Leadline was doing their classes, then headed into the ring. Truby was antsy and nervous, and just looking for things to attack her. But we walked. And walked, And walked. There were quite a few people in the class, I think everyone that entered the show also entered the Costume Class, as it should be, it's for fun! Oddly, Truby didn't seem reactive to any of the costumes, just the fact that it wasn't home. But we walked. Probably the class went a little over long, (it was a "everyone gets a ribbon" class, and they had to come up with Best Whatever for everyone) but for us it was perfect. It allowed us to do what we needed to do, which was get comfortable in the ring. And guess what? Truby DID! She started to relax. Her walk slowed and lengthened, and even got a little swing-y. She started looking around. But quietly. To look in interest, instead of terror. I gave her tons of praise and cookies, and let her work through it. And she did great! And we started to have fun!

Relaxed pony and Big Smiles from her trainer!

My costume was simple, 

but I did make myself a Wonderbolts Trainer jacket

We survived! Yay! Look at her, she's *pooped* 

Stress is exhausting 

Altius Volantis!

It may not seem like much, but this was a huge step to help Truby feel more comfortable and confident away from home. We went to a couple more shows before I actually rode her in one, but the boring and endless walking walking walking really paid off. We need to do quite a bit of this kind of work in Tucson, because I'd love to go trail riding! But this method works for Truby. It works for me. It just takes time. But to help my horse feel comfortable, and for me to feel safe, it's worth it. All the time I spend with Truby is worth it. 

Truby's first ribbon!