Words of wisdom
"Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what’s possible and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
- FRANCIS OF ASSISI
The Journey from Purgatory to Redemption.
Twigwitch by name and by nature, this thin and miserable horse had a witch of a personality. Humans had caused this but one human would unlock her potential.
Nichola meets sullen Twigwitch, alias Twiggy
Nichola first saw this 10-year-old 16.3hh Irish Sport Horse in 2016. Poor Twiggy did not regard humans highly. She stood facing the back corner of her stable with lifeless eyes and a sour demeanor. Twiggy knew that humans caused pain and would bite if she felt threatened or worried.
Taking a chance and helping this Troubled Horse
Buying Twiggy would be risky but Nichola saw potential in this rather weedy horse. The first thing would be to unlock this horse’s backpain issued, as without sorting this problem the horse could not be purchased. Twiggy had pain from her tail to her head, with her whole back in spasm. She would need ongoing physiotherapy from an equine chiro practitioner.
Twiggy’s problems were Man-Made
It transpired that Twiggy had spent two years being lunged in a Pessoa. Continually circling in an unnatural and overbend profile had totally locked her up. PoorTwigwitch needed help and her back had to be released before riding could begin.
The Pain had gone but Bad Memories remained
Twiggy had her back sorted but her brain would be difficult to unwind. The poor creature remembered painful human interactions and under the saddle always resorted to impressive rearing.
Seeing the Potential in Twiggy and the Road to Redemption
Nichola had bought Twiggy and this horse’s emotional and physical recovery had started. Twigwitch had appalling memories of arena work and refused to engage. Hacking from home also caused serious napping and rearing, so a different tactic would be required.
Twiggy needed to realise that moving in Straight Lines would not cause Discomfort
Forest rides proved to be the only way to ride this damaged horse, so Nichola transported Twiggy to Thetford Forest for quiet hacking. Minimum bit contact and permitting head stretching allowed Twiggy to move without discomfort. In time the biting stopped and she began to enjoy life.
Nichola decided to Hunt this horse
Out hunting, Twiggy acted like a hooligan with lots of rearing and pulling. However, after hunting five times in three weeks she settled nicely. By this time, a battered Nichola had sustained two black eyes and a split lip. Twiggy now realised hunting could be fun without being over-excited.
At this stage, Twiggy still had an upside-down neck and carried little condition. Things were to improve.
New things were asked of Twiggy every time she went hunting and she learned to lead through gateways and leaving the field for a little time. Finally, she could leave early and hack back to the trailer without any napping battles.
A happy Twiggy learned to really enjoy hunting and developed into a good-looking horse.
Now Twiggy had to learn to Hack out from Home
Of course, she stood on her back feet rather than acting like a happy hacker, but did get the message and decided to cooperate. Using an arena remained as the last obstacle, but Nichola took things very slowly. Twiggy could jump but learned to jump in confined spaces without approaching obsticles in an overbent frame.
Nichola and Twiggy enjoying the sunshine while hacking out.
Twiggy jumping and enjoying herself in confined spaces.
“Look what I can do mum.”
The Present-Day
Yes, it took 3 years to transform this tortured soul into a beautiful and confident horse. Twiggy is now Nichola’s master’s horse and leads the field over all sorts of obstacles.
This picture says it all. Twiggy and Nichola are a happy partnership.
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