On 9/15/13, Phoenix was cross-tied for the first time in her life. I might have explained this in a previous post, but cross-ties are basically leashes connected to the wall that connect to a horse's halter. We cross-tied her in one of the washracks and I groomed her. She was pretty confused, but she did well. Sometimes she would step forward and then get a bit stressed because she couldn't understand why she couldn't go anywhere. But she settled down and did just fine.
I continued going once a week and spending time with her until 10/5/13. My last day at Trinity was spent completely with Phoenix. I cross-tied her, groomed her, free-lunged her, and then let her run around the arena with another horse while I got some pictures.
Due to a conflict of interests with the owner, the best decision for myself was to leave Trinity. I've been able to focus more on school, and that's great, but I really miss Phoenix. I can still text the friends I made there and ask if they want to hang out, but I can't do that with a horse. I miss her, but at least I know that I got her to a point where she no longer needs me. She trusts people and she's no longer frightened by the tiniest of things. She seeks out attention from humans, she's an indoors horse, and she can be cross-tied. I'm proud of her and knowing that she can do those things gives me comfort when I think about how I can no longer be a part of her life. I'm also comforted by the fact that though my time with her was short, it was definitely worth it. When I was bit by Rascal, I gained a fear of horses. Cleo began the process of rebuilding my confidence with horses and Phoenix finished that process.
When the semester ends, I have plans to start at a new barn. This barn uses horses to do therapy with special needs kids. I'm excited to start there and be around horses again.
Phoenix's first time being cross-tied
Phoenix having a nice run in the arena
