Mustang Close-Up

"Cookie"


Cheri Unrue writes:

After my accident at work which resulted in TBI - Traumatic Brain Injury - I was left with no sense of self worth and very little to do. I was at time in contact with my father after being estranged for 13 years, not easy person to get along with. I knew his neighbor had adopted some horses. Now, mind you, I'm the kid who grew up sleeping on horses in pasture while grazing and I said to father one day I'd like to get one of those horses.

I hadn't had a horse since around age 13 so he proceeded to tell me I didn't know my a## from a hole in the ground about horses. (Needless to say its been many years again since we spoke.)

I got to know the neighbors and was talking to man one day and found out that he had this one horse that no one could touch, get halter on. She was real bad. He meantioned he may have to sell her off as she couldnt be worked with. I said I had lots of spare time and maybe I could just visit her. He gave me free rein of barn anytime I wanted. Well, who's gonna pass that up?

When the man adopted the horses he turned them loose on 40 acres so no wonder she was still wild. I found way to get her into stall at times with his help. Feed works wonders so let her find a few grains here and there, then shut door real quick and we see what happens.

I spent 6 weeks just trying to open stall door and not have her go through the far wall. I had even seen her try to land in hay bin. I got long buggy whip and stood out side stall with door open and would touch her hip, then gradually work way up her. I touched her everywhere, even under her belly, all that I could. This process took serveral weeks but eventually I could get close enough to put my fingertips on her and the bond started there.

I worked hours at time with her till i could pick up her feet, brush her, etc. There were times i felt like crying as I wasn't sure if I was doing the right thing. I do know the only word I spoke to her after much thought was "STAND!" when I touched her and she moved I told her to stand. I would not proceed till she learned that simple word. I could longe her later. I was not getting hurt again. I'm no horse trainer and would never even think I was in that league but I knew when I appraoched her I didn't want a jumping around horse. She learned real fast.

Other processes took longer but, I found myself getting so attached to her I decided it was time to leave. The owners wanted to try bonding with her and ride her someday so I left for 6 months and found out from the owners that they could never touch her after I left even though I had a farrier do her feet and all. The seller played the "maybe I wanna, maybe I don't" game for another 3 months about selling her to me. I finally gave up heartbroken. Then one day he called and said, "If you want her she's yours!" They realized she had bonded to me in a way that she wouldn't do for anyone else. It took a week or so and I got her.

She follows me like puppy and I know the bond is very strong. Now this is a horse that when I call BLM that a few people I know there dubbed the "Horse from Hell." Local trainers here wouldn't touch her. I had one who screamed out loud at a show when she realized it was Cookie in the ring. She told me, "I never would have touched that horse!" I was receiving praise for something all the time but all I knew was I felt such a love for her. I think the love conquered all.

So now you know something about the "Horse from Hell" and feel free to write if you like and I'll tell you more, and so much for the girl who didn't know her a## from hole in ground about horses. (I made sure people rubbed it in with my dad from long distance about how she beat expensive quarter horses at show and won all blue at fair.)

Cheri's son Pat with
Cookie at her second show

Vital Statistics

Foaled: ??? / Mare
Herd: ???
Present Owner: Cheri Unrue/H5>
Present Location: PA
Email Cheri: cunrue@cobweb.net

Press "Back" to return to the page that brought you here

Go to Mustang & Burro Gallery Quick Index

Return to KBR World of Wild Horses and Burros

Go To KBR Horse Net