Meet Fawn's Horses
Sugar Billy Hickory
I had a hard time determining Billy's 'horsenality' when Linda first came out with the charts. I knew he was a total punk - he loved to cause trouble in the herd and scrap with the biggest horses out there. After studying the charts further I finally came to the conclusion that in a herd he was a total Left Brained Extrovert and when he was with me, he was hard to read because he became so centered and willing. Areas that he has great confidence are in a herd, in new environments, with me as a leader and in himself as a learner. He is not very confident being by himself, though. As long as a person or another horse is around he is fine, but he gets worried if he's on his own and I can't blame him - loner horses get eaten by lions!Billy, also known as 'The Kid' by friends and as 'William' by me, was born and raised as naturally as it comes. He was part of a herd owned by a rancher in Northern Alberta who let his horses live the way horses are designed to live - free. Their 'paddock' was thousands of acres and their feed was whatever they could find growing naturally. They used trees for shelter and only saw humans when they were rounded up to be doctored, started, ridden or sold. Billy lived this life until his 2yo year when he was purchased as an untouched colt by my friend, former Parelli Instructor, Ron Knapp.
Unfortunately for Ron (but great for me!), Billy didn't end up getting as big as he had hoped, so after putting a month of training on him, consisting of a lot of rides in the mountains, he decided to sell him. Knowing that I was looking for a horse to replace my Level 3 mare who was not up to the physical challenges of Level 4, Ron contacted me and insisted that I come and take a look at this colt. He promised I would not be disappointed. He was right!
I'll never forget the day I met Billy. I'd been looking for a horse that had colour, bloodlines, temperament, athletic ability and a play drive and I knew that I'd found it. There was something really special about this horse and it wasn't long before I understood exactly what it was. I don't know that I can describe it, but I've never had a horse with so much heart, who would turn himself inside out to figure out what you wanted him to do and who would never quit on you.
I have owned Billy for 4years and I can honestly say that I never dreamed that I could do the things that Billy and I can do today. And I never dreamed it could happen so fast! Even though I had graduated Level 3, I just didn't know that it was possible to be that connected, that light, that confident and that trusting in a horse that even after months apart I could walk out into a pasture, swing onto him without anything but my body to guide him and he would do anything I asked of him. That is true unity.
Justa Bonne Heure
'Bonnie' was easy to classify - Left Brained Introvert all the way, aka 'Energy Efficient'. Her first love is food, followed closely by doing absolutely nothing. If I could clone Bonnie, I would never have to work another day in my life - she is the perfect horse for someone who lacks confidence and she has the athletic ability to do any discipline. Right now she's living the good life on lease in Florida with a friend of mine. She's 20 and just doesn't do well in the Canadian winters anymore.Bonnie and I go way back. She was my first real horse and the second equine I ever owned. I bought her when I was fifteen from a man in Nakusp who had done an excellent job of raising and training her for halter and western pleasure. It was the middle of February in Canada when I went to see her with my friends and it was cold! Bonnie was in foal at the time and due in April. When I first saw her, I was not impressed. She looked like a sway-backed mule in the dark stall with all her winter fur and her huge belly! I decided that I was more interested in the 3yo colts the fellow was selling, but he had other ideas! He insisted on taking the mare out of the stall and tacking her up. Once on level ground, she looked a lot better (and a lot bigger!). When he hopped on and rode her around in the roundpen, belly and all, she looked better yet. But when I got on her and felt that trot, it was a done deal - she was going home with me!
A few months later, 'Cody' was born and he was the love of my life. A fiesty little chestnut colt with 4 white socks, he was a charmer and he kept me and his mom busy! In the afternoons he would lie down next to me in the field where I would sit for hours just being with them and lay his head in my lap to sleep. He was a pretty special little guy. Tragically, I lost him shortly before he turned four, but he remains the love of my equine life.
From '95-'97, Bonnie and I competed in every discipline they offered in my area; Dressage, Jumping, Driving, Roping, Barrel Racing, Reining, Trail, Equitation...we did it all. We cleaned house at all the local shows despite the fact that I had very little formal training and absolutely no idea what I was doing. But we learned together and we were one heck of a team to beat. In 2000 we attended our first Level 3 course with Pat Parelli in Pagosa Springs Colorado and passed our Level 3 there the following year.
Justa Lucky Stretch
'Stretch' is Bonnie's second son and was born in '98 right after I returned from studying Parelli in Australia for a year and graduated Level 2. From birth he was a total punk and terrorized his mother with his constant play drive (remember - she likes food and rest, not play!). We decided to geld him really early. Another Left Brained Extrovert, playful, cocky and dominant would be the best words to describe him. He loves people and if he does not feel as though you are giving him the attention he craves he will very gently start ruffling around your body with his muzzle until he finds something that is attached to you that he can grab onto and tug, sometimes quite vigorously! He loves beer, but I drew the line when my dad tried to offer him a cigarette. Did I mention that technically he is my dad's horse even though he is also a part of my string?Stretch's many talents include an amazing jumping ability (which I will be developing next winter when I bring him to Florida with me), catlike movements and a strong herding instinct, and loads of suspension for lead changes. He's got a great mind and attitude and although he likes messing around with people and racking up what Pat likes to call 'gunsil points' every chance he gets, he really takes care of green riders and has a heart of gold. He's another horse that I would point up a steep mountain trail and know he wouldn't quit me halfway up.
In 2001 I took Stretch to Pat's ranch in Pagosa Springs Colorado. He was quickly nicknamed 'Houdini' for his ability to crawl through fences - something I accidentally taught him to do. Over the next two years Stretch replaced Bonnie as my upper level horse, and went on tour with me to the PNH stops in Scottsdale, AZ and Denver, CO. He's had the past few years off while I focused on bringing Billy along and getting some of my younger horses started, but will be returning to the spotlight in the fall so that I can progress my Level 4 studies to include riding and playing with multiple horses online and at liberty. Stay tuned...
Fortissimo Swing
'Athena' was born, raised and trained in my care and is a very special girl. I'm pretty sure that she thinks her name is 'Baby Girl' or 'Sweet Pea', as that is what I always call her by. She is a Right Brained Extrovert by Nature, but usually looks more like a Left Brained Introvert. In other words, if she gets scared you can tell she is a TB, but otherwise you'd think she was a quarter horse! She's got a great mind and a wonderful temperament. She loves people and her areas of confidence are in the herd and in you as a leader once you have formed a strong bond with her. She is also very confident in a new environment as long as she has her herd with her (whether that is you or the other horses). She is not very confident in herself yet (does not like to be alone), but as I put more time into her she is getting better. As a learner she is very good if you are soft and tries very hard. She'll let you know in a hurry if you got impatient or did not prepare her for something. She's quite an honest horse that way - no surprises!
River Girl
'River' is another very special horse. She reminds me a lot of my buckskin, 'Billy', which says plenty! She is yet another Left Brained Extrovert who absolutely LOVES people and has a heart of pure gold. She is the sweetest horse you've ever met. When she sees me come to the pasture she is always the first horse to neigh and come trotting over for attention. I have a hard time playing in the pasture with the other horses because she likes to hang out right next to me, no matter how vigorously I have my stick or rope swinging around. She is very sure that people mean her no harm and is about as curious as they come.In the herd she is a very dominant figure and can be a little bit of a 'witch' to 'Billy' at times, but he thinks she's pretty darn cute and so he lets her get away with it. When she is with people, aside from being hard to get rid of, she is very soft and respectful. She's only had a few rides so far and has gone like a dream. She moves like her name and is always so relaxed and confident.
This is the only picture I currently have of her and it was taken during her first ride. Stay tuned for more up-to-date pictures from this winter as she and 'Athena' are my winter riding projects while I am down in Florida working on my horsemanship.
Horses for Sale
Goldenchild's Whoozer a.k.a 'Logan'
Logan's best kept secret (until now) is the fact that he is actually an Appaloosa! I purchased Logan about 8 months ago from a good friend of mine in Florida. Logan will be 7 this year and has quite the play drive. Unfortunately, it was too much play drive for his geriatric pasture mate who kept hurting her hq and hocks when she and Logan would play. His owner felt that Logan was becoming bored and felt that he needed more to be the truly happy horse she wanted him to be. After much consultation, she decided to lease my level 3 mare, Bonnie, and Logan came home with me. It was the perfect solution and all of the horses and humans are much happier now that everyone has the partner they need.I would describe Logan as a Left Brained Extrovert, but now that he is in a herd with other playful/dominant horses and his energy meeds are being met, he is the picture of manners and softness when he is with people. I can thank 'Stretch' for that! When Logan was first introduced to the herd he had a tendency to push into pressure and would test you to see what he could get away with. Well, there is only room for one punk in my herd, so Stretch gave Logan quite the lesson on lightness and respect! It was a week before Logan was allowed within 100' of the rest of the herd, and he was sporting more than a couple bald spots from when Stretch decided that Logan's response wasn't snappy enough. I could learn a thing or two about effectiveness of my phases from Stretch!
One of the things that drew me to Logan was his naturally round way of going. He was born knowing how to soften, relax and use his body. When he moves, he is the picture of grace and beauty. The other thing that I really loved was how quickly he learned and how confident he was in himself and his surroundings. This winter he came to the Parelli Center in Florida so that I could put some focused time on him. Eventually I will be selling him to a Parelli Student who wants a super horse to help them on their journey through the levels, but for now I'm the lucky one who gets to play with him.
Rare N' Sassy
'Sassy' is a 7yo registered Arabian mare that I started as a 3yo and she is being offered for sale by Joy Cox. She is a Left Brained Extrovert. Very confident, playful and dominant. After our first play session, she was the most amazing horse to work with. Very sensitive and highly intelligent. With a good leader this is one heck of a horse. I always thought that she would make a great cow horse - she moves like a cat and is very keen.Joy, who is in her sixties, took 'Sassy' to Colorado for 2 weeks in 2004 for a Level 1/Introduction to Level 2 course with Helen Topp. She has also participated in regular training sessions with Aimee Brimhall (Level 4 Parelli Professional). In 2007, Joy leased 'Sassy' to a Parelli Instructor from Switzerland to use in the six week courses at the Florida Parelli Center. In addition, Joy and 'Sassy' will be attending the Liberty & Horse Behaviour course in Florida Jan 27- Feb 8, 2008.
Although 'Sassy' is her favourite horse to play with, Joy has decided to downsize to one horse and felt that 'Sassy' would be happier with someone that could challenge her more and really develop her natural talent. Sassy would be best suited for someone with Level 1 or higher skills and good leadership ability. She is a very sweet and loving mare, but she may playfully dominate a person who was not a calm, assertive leader. I had a blast with this horse and she has the talent to go to Level 4 with ease, but you have to have enough ability to earn her respect.
'Sassy' is located in Morriston, FL (35min from Parelli Center) and Joy is asking $5,000 for her.
For more photos of Sassy being ridden and played with, Click Here!
Donating a Horse
I frequently have people contact me about the possibility of donating their horse to me. I have had a number of really great horses given to me over the years that I have been
able to develop through the levels. After working with the horse I would then decide whether to keep it as one of my personal levels horses or develop it to place with a
quality life-long Parelli home. If you have a horse that you are interested in donating, email me with information and I will let you know if I have any openings.
Fawn Anderson 
