Stella is Getting Comfortable

Stella is finally comfortable enough in her surroundings at the stable to lay down and roll. And boy did she roll! Yesterday she rolled 14 times (and two halves)! Stella lay down as a darkish bay, when she stood back up she was a dun! Fortunately after she got up Stella ran around the outside arena for a bit and had a good shake, which brought her back closer to her normal color. That was yesterday, and we gave her a good brushing when we brought her in, but she is still turning dusty colors when we rub on her after another brushing this morning.

Stella makes funny faces when she gets scratched and pet.

Today was almost 100 degrees, so we went into the indoor arena to work. there is a long lead rope in the arena for folks to use, so I switched her to that and we started working on her coming when I whistle. This of course only works if she doesn't start following me when I go away from her anyway, but we got it a few times where she was distracted by her reflection or something outside.

Stella is learning to come to a whistle

Stella is generally leading really well now. There was a brief incident yesterday when a horse decided to suddenly chase a cat, and Stella danced around me a few times, but that was not her fault and she wasn't bad about it, and she settled back down and walked with me again right away.

I am so pleased with this little filly. She is so smart, and picks up on things so fast. Her only real sticking point is food. If there is food in her bin she gets a bit testy if she is not allowed to eat it at will. We are working on that. 

When I decided to adopt a Mustang, and when I was looking for a stable and transport for her, I got a whole lot of dire warnings about Mustangs. "They're dangerous," "they're unpredictable," "you can never trust them," "they don't like to be touched and handled," "they're not like normal horses," "they're wild, you'll never really get it tamed," and other such ideas and sentiments regarding mustangs. Well, so far, if Stella is indicative of what Mustangs are like, they are incredible, wonderful animals. 

The freezemark of a Mustang

I have heard the same sorts of things about Arabians, and I grew up with Arabians. I love Arabians, and if you are good to them they will love you back with all their heart. Maybe Mustangs, like Arabians, just don't take well to being ignored, neglected, or treated like a tool instead of a living creature. They demand respect and love, and if they get that, they will be a wonderful companion to person and a happy member of their human herd.