JayJay, Crossbred, 30 years (privately owned)
This very expressive black mare is a former rescue horse and privately owned by Michelle, who basically got her off the ramp of a trailer heading to the lion park.
Very wary of humans, especially men at the beginning, Michelle turned Jay into a more trusting and lovely 4 legged friend. She settled into the herd surprisingly well, after Michelle had been told that she is very dominant and she used to be the lead mare. Well here at North River she isn't. She cannot get any other horse to move, gets even moved by Jameela unless Vic, her man, helps her. Jay is very expressive when she is a bit p... off with any of the other horses, usually makes a big song and dance but that just gets ignored by the others. She has taught us a lot about herd dynamics and how even in the human's eye a horse "at the bottom of the heap" who cannot move any other horse and then she moves them all as she has a very responsable role: to lead the herd, from one paddock into the next or out to the bush. It looks that she takes that role on proudly and the herd only follows calmly and easily if JayJay is in front.
Very wary of humans, especially men at the beginning, Michelle turned Jay into a more trusting and lovely 4 legged friend. She settled into the herd surprisingly well, after Michelle had been told that she is very dominant and she used to be the lead mare. Well here at North River she isn't. She cannot get any other horse to move, gets even moved by Jameela unless Vic, her man, helps her. Jay is very expressive when she is a bit p... off with any of the other horses, usually makes a big song and dance but that just gets ignored by the others. She has taught us a lot about herd dynamics and how even in the human's eye a horse "at the bottom of the heap" who cannot move any other horse and then she moves them all as she has a very responsable role: to lead the herd, from one paddock into the next or out to the bush. It looks that she takes that role on proudly and the herd only follows calmly and easily if JayJay is in front.
Harmony, Standardbred cross, 16 years
The most sensitive wee soul in our herd. With Harmony you really have to watch what you think about. Out of Ian's former Standardbred stallion "In a Frenzy" she inherited the ability to amble.Her girlfriend is definately JayJay, and that was more Harmony's choice than JayJays....
Harmony being such a sensitive horse, she was another one who got started in Ian's absence and we have started to work on some of her fears, especially in the roundpen, again. Anke restarted her and was also riding her in the arena when some physical problems emerged. With lots of osteopathic work she is better now but we decided not to ride her anymore. Now she is more a groundwork horse and teaches absolute fineness and an absolute delight for everyone who works and plays with her.
Harmony being such a sensitive horse, she was another one who got started in Ian's absence and we have started to work on some of her fears, especially in the roundpen, again. Anke restarted her and was also riding her in the arena when some physical problems emerged. With lots of osteopathic work she is better now but we decided not to ride her anymore. Now she is more a groundwork horse and teaches absolute fineness and an absolute delight for everyone who works and plays with her.