Whoopi's 19th birthday on the 2nd of April, 2011

We celebrated Whoopi's 19th birthday. We did some TTEAM groundwork and bodywork which she both enjoys very much. TTEAM groundwork learns a horse a lot about his/her balance. The TTouches can release and relieve stress and tension in several body parts. She loves the ttouches on her jaws. The head wrap brings her focus to the excercise and the green wrap around her neck learned her again to lower her head when stopping. She could find her balance back without having to put her head up every time she stops.

After all that work the fresh hay was very welcome.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WHOOPI !

Pictures of Whoopi's 2nd day at "DroomVanger"

Good food...yummy !

Aha, something else is coming...

I have a box in which I have treats for Whoopi, I call it her Magic Box like they do at McDonalds.

She knows her Magic Box very well !!! She gets impatient when it takes too long to take something out and bumps with her head against my...

As far as you can see is the land that the horses can use, the houses in the background are the more or less the borders of the land. The other half is behind me from where I took the picture. Space enough !

Vaillant with Whoopis' bucket : Did you leave anything for me ???

Whoopi sniffs with Indy.

Pepper pays Whoopi a visit.

Grooming time !

Whoopi loves being brushed, especially her tail !

Beautiful Whoopi !

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 !