Since she’s so food motivated, why not try some clicker training with her? Just some simple target training to get some interaction and get her more interested in you. Even your daughter and husband can join in.
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Right now I’m really trying not to do any more to her then just keep her stable and balanced. She has to stay in her stall and lot area I mean I can barely poke the side of her stomach and just say move over girl and she moves right over. I can tell her back and snap my fingers and she backs up, it’s kind of my thing instead of yelling with the horses I snap at them like they are dogs lol. I know it’s silly but it has always worked with mine.
Besides maybe getting her to stretch a little bit there is nothing I really want to try to make her do because she is still so fragile. Even the idea of trying to get her to stretch with her nose or pull on her tail a little bit to help with her back I am hesitant to do because I have never really had to do that with a horse and I don’t want to accidentally hurt her. Her back fetlock joints snap when she walks every time she drags her toes on the ground, sometimes hits her front hoof with her back hoof and over reaches. I’m talking to a farrier right now trying to get him out soon for her and I know that may be hard on her muscles and will take awhile to get her done that day.
The idea of trying to work on anything with her when she already has great ground manners and does not try to avoid us or move away from us while we are with her I just don’t want to do. I can’t give her treats because her stomach has been so touch and go and vulnerable, so I just want her to stay on the exact same diet with the exact same amount of food at least through the end of the month. a
Then try to increase it a little bit as long as her stool stays solid and she stays…I don’t want to say happy because she is not exactly thrilled with life right now but you know what I mean.
If I tried to make her do anything or turn a certain way or move with me a certain way and it hurt her and she freaked out or got in a jam and hurt herself worse than she is already feeling I could never forgive myself. So right now it is just I want her to keep being good while I’m working with her grooming her, switching out blankets, and feeding her and just get her to where she feels completely safe and comfortable.
Otherwise yes all of that would be an amazing idea! I probably should do it more with my pony since he is not rideable, but right now all of my extra time is going into stuff with her and just keeping him happy in his lot and trying to pick up poop everyday. Which I have not been good about in his lot, tomorrow I am getting that done, n it is going to be exhausting.
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You seem to be doing just fine, let her be as long as quiet is all she can handle and wishes now.
I got not too long ago a younger horse that was not as skinny as yours.
He had been neglected for the past year, turned out and not again seen, eating what he could grub out of the ground, feet in horrible shape that someone then had chopped the broken long hoof wall with an axe and was so sore he could hardly walk.
Excellent farrier at the vet clinic could fix him in two shoeings, didn’t even look like the same horse, even x-rays corrected to normal, walked sound after first shoeing.
Just re-feed him with straight soft stem pretty alfalfa for some time, until he felt a bit more ok and alive and after a bit was contented one day waiting on the vet, he put his head down and closed his eyes, nose under my elbow.
We stood there for a while, “making our own peace”.
When a mature, already trained horse, one that knows good times and people, that comes from a bad situation, it takes time for them to get back on their feet, mentally and emotionally.
Giving them time on their own, waiting to start wanting more interaction their idea, not us guiding, no task training with expectations involved, as you are doing, seems to give good results, eventually.
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What a good update! I bet she’ll feel better after the dentist comes. I imagine you’re right, she’s just trying to stay alive right now.
Maybe soon she can start having a bit more of the alfalfa hay but I agree that if she just now has normal poop it’s probably best to wait a little while before increasing the amount.
The clicker training is a good idea tbh. Maybe not immediately but in the near future. You can start with your hand (or a funny object like a fly swatter) as the target and hold it literally half an inch from her nose and then click and use an alfalfa pellet as a treat. It’s really useful for creating connection. But plenty time for that after she moves further away from death’s door.
You’re doing great!
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Once again, I freaking love you and chrono should be paying you for your knowledgable and sage advice with never any malice or snarky undercurrents. I seriously respect n value your opinions and advice so much! Will you be my horsie mommy? You take so much time for your horses and help the ones that need it the most so well!!
I totally agree, after her past home, and all the changes here, she needs some time to decompress, relax, heal both her body and mind, and just “be an, albeit still respectful of humans, but still just a horse” for awhile. I have this theory that when we make them do stuff, especially at her age and in her condition, it is more of a stressor for them. The last thing I want to do is make her worry or wonder what is happening or if she should feel safe and stress more calories off.
I think as she feels safer and more relaxed, she will start coming out of her shell more. Letting her decide when she is ready for that additional interaction with us, is better for her in every way. The process reminds me of a child thats been neglected and adults trying to be their friend, trying to force them to let people love and hug them again when they are just not ready to socialize normally or even try to yet after being in a toxic environment. Or an addict thats been thru detox recently, trying to figure out how to eat/sleep and function in society again. Obviously she has not had to DT off anything, but the whole body weight loss, always being paranoid or in their own minds world, and then having to think and function normally again. Horse ptsd in a way?
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Thank you for the lovely update 
And I hope you survive birthday weekend 
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Good for you for not trying to force contact, interaction, etc. on a horse that’s like this.
To learn more of the psychology behind that sort of thing, take a quick look at Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. It explains so much…
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Later on for sure. Right now I would be scared to wave or hold up anything in her face and her back up or twist on her back legs n hurt herself. She is so calm and chill right now which is what she needs the most. Thank you for the support, if I could pick a barn and its boarders it would be all of you gals!
I just reread this entire thread. Holy cow how is my brain still able to do 2+2??? I really have been super overthinking everything lately! It was a good reminder for me to take a page out of Sweetie’s playbook and try to just chill the hell out and let myself just ‘be’ for a bit.
Maybe me calming down about everything will help her calm down as well, I read something the other day that horses can hear their herd mates heartbeats and try to sync theirs up with each other. Which in a way sucks if I am making her stress because I am stressing, and in another way the kid in me goes awwww maybe she does want me to be in her “herd”!
Anyways, a few wooosaahhh breaths are in order for me with everything before I burn out.
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They have the tv going in her room and ipads out, yay for technology sometimes!
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It really does, I used to love psychology stuff when I had more freetime.
Side story, in college when I was either 19 or 20, some days my sons daycare was closed. My psychology teacher was amazing, very eclectic, think modern day, savant genius, 60yr old hippie. He would let me bring my son to class and LOVED going over different theories and getting my 3 or 4yr old’s (I cannot remember but he was one of those ages at the time of my psych class) perspective on whatever he was teaching that day and/or using his responses as teachings for us! 
It also helped keep my son entertained so he did not distract the lecture, since he felt like he was part of the class on those days.
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How sweet!
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Who knows what kind of personality Sweetie will have once she gets healthy, but it might turn out that she’s one of the more aloof horses. Some horses aren’t as people-oriented as others, and IMO, that’s okay.
This is a pic of what I consider to be one of the greatest horses ever – my stereotypical chestnut mare, Summer. I got her when she was a yearling and she was not a cuddly horse, ever. But she had a ton of personality. Opinions about everything and she never hesitated to share. But she was smart, polite, and willing to work (as long as you were reasonable in your requests! 
) And even when she was being grouchy, she was adorable. It’s amazing how clearly a horse can communicate when you pay attention to their subtle behaviors! Or in Summer’s case, sometimes not-so-subtle.
Horses are pretty neat animals, whether they are pocket ponies or not. Summer was not (understatement!) but I absolutely respected her independent nature. It was easy to consider her a partner rather than a pet.
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She is gorgeous! Does she have arab in her? My chestnut heartmare Katie had the same facial structure and she was part arab, personality for days and I swear she had a sense of humor too. This pic is from her senior days but still managing to do something to make me laugh n smile!
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Yep! Full Arabian. I see the resemblance. And funny, Summer even has a similar expression in this pic - here’s Summer at 27:
And Katie looks like a happy, well-cared for horse! I don’t know if your new mare will ever fill out quite as much as Katie but I’m looking forward to seeing her in good condition by the time she sheds out in spring.
And yes, you gotta love a horse with personality! 
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@SummerRose & @carman_liz, I’m calling that Summer and Katie are/were related! And, yes, personality is awesome!
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@carman_liz You’re doing a GREAT job. I’d continue just as you are. She does need to ‘just be’. And sounds like you have plenty to keep you busy.
I give you permission to hold off on updates until early November as long as you take pictures to update us with when you post.
Seriously, I appreciate all your updates but know you have a life to live. She seems to be coming along nicely so take a break.
Have a great weekend
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She may be as “interacted” with you as she will ever be depending on her personality and I am sure you are ok with that.
We have one like that. Nickers at food time but that is it. Never makes a sound, never comes to you for attention or even acknowledges your presence otherwise. She is a dream to ride and handle and quite frankly my other 2 are such attention hogs it is a refreshing change to not get mobbed.
I think giving your mare space to just eat and be is good. Sounds like she moves when you ask and is obedient. No need to drill what she already does well.
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She actually came up to me earlier and put her head by my chest like okay scratch me Hay Lady… I loved on her for maybe 20 seconds and then she walked away and back in her stall like okay I’m done now thanks it doesn’t itch anymore.
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She just likely doesn’t have the energy to be cuddly tight now even if she is a cuddly type. Be patient, she’ll likely have more appreciation for attention when she has a bit more meat on her bones.
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@carmen_liz Just so you know that you and Sweetie are “going global”… I’m loving your journey and wishing you every bit of success and happiness with her. What a lovely lady you are! Best wishes from Victoria, Australia.
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