Vicki Strykowski writes:
"Jefferson was the first horse to be adopted for the Wild Horse Project at
the Danada Equestrian Center. The Forest Preserve District of DuPage
County owns Danada and there are over 120 volunteers who help the staff run
the center. The public is welcome to visit the horses and walk through the
barn 365 days of the year. All of the horses at Danada are donated, and
there is usually a herd of around 22, including some draft horses that are
used for hay rides. Danada does offer classes in horsemanship, beginner
through advanced. People are taught how to halter, lead, groom and tack
before being taught balanced seat riding.
"In starting the Wild Horse Project, Matt Trynoski, the Manager and motivating force behind Danada,
wanted to offer the public first
hand knowledge of the existence and history of the wild horses. It was
also an opportunity for the volunteers to learn how to work with a wild
horse, and assist in the training of a green horse. Jefferson was more
than we could have hoped for in a horse to be used for this type of
program. From the beginning, he was extremely friendly and we had a hard
time convincing people that he was a 'wild' horse. In fact, at the
adoption on June 26, 1998, as he was in the haltering chute, the wrangler
bent down to put his halter on, looked back and said, 'This one's already
broke!'
"Even though we were going slowly with his training, because not only was he
our first wild horse experience, but we wanted the public to be able to
view and understand the concept of gentling rather than breaking, Jeff was
under saddle within 2 weeks. He was out on trail within 3 months. We take
a winter break because we don't have an indoor arena, so Jeff had to wait
for his first 'lesson' until April '99, which was 9 months after he arrived
at Danada. In May of that same year (less than a year after he was
adopted), Jeff was also used in our summer camp, where 10-14 year olds get
to lead and groom the horses. We keep the majority of our horses in a
herd, and I was worried about how Jeff would handle it, since he is
definitely the smallest horse we have. We introduced him one at a time in
a separate paddock until he had met everyone but the draft horses. His
nickname is now "James Cagney," because his size in no way stops him from
being the biggest guy around. He's treated like everyone's little brother,
and he does his best to keep all of the mares with him. He shows respect
for Bonanza, the herd boss, and has befriended Peaches, who until then was
a complete loner. There's definitely something special about wild horses!
"Things went so well with Jefferson we adopted our second horse on April 4,
1999. Sundance is going through the same training process, but is a much
different horse than Jeff. He is much more cautious and wary, but is
becoming just as lovable."
|
Jefferson getting ready
for his rider
With Matt, learning how to overcome fear.
(Looks more to us like he's
enjoying the shade!)
|