Whoopi moved to a new home.

Yesterday we moved Whoopi to her new home. Her new home is only a 15 min. drive from where we live so I can visit her much more. Another reason was that she could not get used to the herds at Spirithorses so we had to find another solution. She will now be living in a smaller herd in a private open stable. There are 4 other horses besides Whoopi. Vaillant is a 13 year old Belgian Warmblood gelding, Pepper is a 17 year old quarter gelding, Indy is a 13 year old Trakehner mare and Cadeau is a 2 year old male foal.
The website of Whoopi's new home is www.DroomVanger.be you can then click on the facebook pages of DroomVanger (DreamCatcher) and see more pictures of the other horses.
When we arrived yesterday with the truck she couldn't wait to get on the truck, once we settled her in her new home it looked like she had always been there. She was very calm and relaxed and seemed to enjoy her new environment and her new friends with whom she immediately seeked contact.



Whoopi meets Vaillant, he is a true gentleman.

The little black chicken !

What am I looking at ???

The little black chicken...which scared Whoopi at first...a 20 cm little chicken .

I am fine with the chicken now !

Groundwork workshop 20th February

Whoopi and I took part in a groundwork workshop last Sunday. Groundwork is everything you do when the human is on the ground with his/her 2 feet. We walked over wooden poles, over plastic, big tyres, a wooden bridge and through barrels.























From left to right in the star - Iskander (Quarab) - Steff (Haflinger) - Bombita (Appaloosa) - Moira (Whoopi's friend and KWPN) - Whoopi and me (Hannovarian) and Dafner (Welsh Cob). Isn't that a beautiful mix of lovely horses .

Feeding time 25th of February

Whoopi, Moira and Layla

As said in my previous message, Whoopi is very scared of other horses. She just doesn't like having a lot of them around her. Its too much for her. She has no problem when there are a lot of PEOPLE with horses together but being alone with other horses is a problem. So we have been looking for a solution. First thing which was done, Layla the 2 year old Andalusian foal of Evy (one of the riding instructors at Spirithorses) was put in the same paddock as Whoopi. After a few days Whoopi's heart melted for little Layla and they have become really close friends. Aunty Whoopi and Layla. Due to Ciara having a swear on one of her hoofs there was a need to switch places. Ciara and Amber came in the paddock from Whoopi and Layla. But as Moira was also standing with Ciara and Amber; Whoopi and Layla ended up standing together with Moira in the same paddock. There was a bit of tension and excitement the first days but Moira insisted on having contact with Whoopi. Good Girl Moira !!! Moira has been interested in Whoopi from day 1 when Whoopi arrived at Spirithorses. But Whoopi would freak out and get big scary eyes everytime Moira was trying to make contact although Moira was very gentle and relaxed as she tried to make contact. But Moira didn't give up and now Moira got her chance ofcourse as Whoopi was in the same paddock and HAD to be around her and Layla 24 hours a day. Dear Moira, I am so grateful you had the patience and the persistence towards Whoopi to learn her again to trust other horses and groom with her. Whoopi learns from Moira (and Layla ofcourse) again how it is to be a horse amongst horses. It is very re-assuring for me to know she finally has made some horse friends. It is SO good for Whoopi's mental health ! Thank you so much Moira and Layla ! A big hug for both of you from myself and Whoopi :-)

Whoopi (18 yrs) - Moira (13 yrs) - Layla (2 yrs)

Whoopi and Moira have a good influence on each other. Whoopi seems to have a calming effect on Moira and Moira learns Whoopi to trust her.

Aunty Whoopi, Aunty Moira and little Layla

Whoopi and Moira : friends forever...??? Wouldn't that be great !

It has been a very long time since I wrote a few words on Whoopi. Not much has been happening except that we are trying to get ourselves through a pretty boring winter with lots of grey weather and rain after the snow was gone.

Meanwhile Whoopi has been chipped at the beginning of January. All horses need to be chipped in Belgium without exception. So she is now finally registered on my name, YIPPEEE. When you do this you also need to choose if your horse can still be slaugthered for human consumption. NO, of course, the good thing is once you make that choice no one ever after you owning the horse can change this !

Since a few days Whoopi has got the company of the 2 year old foal Layla and wow is she happy about that. Both are very happy. When you sometimes see them together it looks like there is glue between them ;-) Pictures of the two together will follow in the coming days.





The little spot is where the chip has been inserted, she didn't blink an eye when the vet did it !


Some more winter pictures. On the picture below on the left some herd members are looking at Whoopi who is standing next to them but in another part of the meadow. We discovered that Whoopi does not like having a lot of other horses around her. One other horse is OK, more is too much for her and then she starts panicking and loosing her head. Every time we try to put her with the other horses she keeps on standing at the gate to get her out of it. So for the time being she has a space for her own untill we find a better solution for her.

Happy New Year !

Whoopi and myself want to wish all of you a very Happy New Year. Lots of luck and happiness in 2011 and do not forget : don't dream about the life you want but be brave and live your dream !!!

Winter in our garden !