Dahlia

This adorable pony came to PHH in September 2009 after having been in seized by Skagit County animal. At the time of seizure we were full on horses so she stayed with a county foster home for a short period of time. You can tell from Dahlia’s scars that she has not had a very good life so it is obvious why she is untrusting. We expect her to come around quickly to make a wonderful companion animal.
Update 12/28/09: Dahlia just left the barn to go to her new home! The owner of Frank, one of our rescues from a few years ago, stepped up to help us out again. Dahlia is in her 20′s and she going where she can just be a horse for the rest of her days.
From her new owner the day of arrival:
Hi Gretchen and Renee, It was such a joy to have you come over to Lopez and bring Dahlia – and stay to lunch. I thank you for such a lovely afternoon–and for such a darling little horse! When I got home, the chickens were already in, so I checked the rooster and his legs seemed better. I did not catch him and clean him up because he hates to be caught (even worse than the hens hate it!). But if does not look good tomorrow, I will doctor him. Then, I went out and caught Dahlia and led her into her stall. She went for her oats right away and I added some of the apple pulp. Yummmmm!!!! She loved that. Once she was settled in, I opened the door and let Captain and the sheep in. Captain came running in, checked her stall and then went into his. I closed and locked his. The sheep were uncertain. They could see Dahlia in her stall and they were afraid to go into their pen. Finally, one of the ventured in and the other two followed. So I locked them in.
Captain went to eat his oats and apple pulp. I spoke with him about having a real horse in his herd and that he had to be gentle with her because she has had a hard life and is very little. Anyway, he ate his oats and would keep going over to the end of his stall and looking into her stall. For a while he stood there puffing and puffing into her stall–the way they do when they smell you. The air was just cold enough to make his hot breath look like a vapor! She ignored him and explored her stall–mostly looking for more oats and apple. She put her head through the planks and smelled at the oats in the cans by her. Then she found the hay. All along, Captain kept trying to get her attention, but she was just ignoring him. For a moment it looked like she was going to go up and greet him, but she seemed to change her mind. Anyway, they all seem fine in the barn.
And the good news is that there is some manure in the bottom of her stall. So she has gone at least once. That made me happy, since this is a very new situation for her.
I thought if they were in their own stalls and close tonight, they may be less afraid of each other tomorrow. We will see. I think they are going to get along fine. And I KNOW she is going to be my little friend.
I stood in the barn by Dahlia’s stall and said, “Daddy, isn’t she cute?” I thought about how Papa had gone with me to your place when I met Captain and how patient he was to sit and wait for me as I learned about horses for the first time in my life. I felt that he thought Dahlia is quite wonderful. Then I told him how happy I am: I am living a dream I have had since I was in about second grade–having a farm with animals. It is such a joy and privilege to actually get to live a dream!
Anyway, thank you for helping my dream come true!
I will keep you posted about the progress of these two fine horses.
Edith
Update 12/29/09: Hi Gretchen,
Dahlia spent a nice night in her stall by Captain. This morning she had some nice treats (she is starting to know that Mom is the source of treats!) and then I went in and wiped her eyes with wet paper towel. They cleaned up nicely. I walked her out into the main barn and let her explore a while. I had already put the sheep and Captain. (And by the way when I cleaned out Dahlia’s stall there were several piles of manure–small piles compared to Captain, but several of them. I will keep watching this.)
Finally, Captain and the sheep went to the other side of the pasture, so I let Dahlia out. She was on one side of the fence, and the herd on the other. Finally, I opened the gate and let Captain in. He wanted a treat first from my pocket and then went to make friends. He followed Dahlia around slowly. She would turn her back on him and he would find a way to be at her face again. She was grazing, so he would graze with his face close to her. They finally put their faces to each other. She seems to accept him just fine.
But then, the sheep! They decided it was time to come into the other side and join Captain. So they went up to her, she chases them with her teeth like she is threatening to bite them. Captain got them all rounded up under a tree. But soon they were going up to her and she did not like it. “A horse, I know; but what is a sheep for pity’s sake!” It is wonderful to see them together. Captain is going to have a real herd. I know the will get along fine. Dahlia will soon learn that the sheep are gentle and she will not mind them once she gets to know them.
I just went to look outside again, and it is all very gentle right now. She is walking around exploring, Captain follows her, and the sheep are watching it all.
I am so delighted with her. I think this will make Captain a very happy horse indeed. And Dahlia will be in seventh heaven once she settles in. I just know she is going to be very tame with people. She is already coming up to me in the field for treats.
Take care, Edith
Update June 2010:
Just an update on Dahlia. I don’t know if I told you, but I changed her name to Honeybunch because I wanted a name that would remind me of Dad. HoneyBunch does. He and mother would call us that when we were little girls.
Anyway, Honeybunch is soooooooo sweet. She is still a little shy around humans, but she loves her treats and comes up with hope to those who go into the field or into the barn. She had a little time of rebellion, refusing to go in a night, but we were able to get past that. She is more and more used to Captain who is mesmerized by her. He bites her back and rear end, but I keep telling her she has some very lovely strong legs and she has my permission to kick him if he is too much of a pest. But she usually just takes it. She does love going out in the morning and they run and run around the pasture. They are so beautiful when they run together. I am controlling pasture so she does not overeat, but she must pace her stall at night because the manure is smashed flat by morning. But she is trim and beautiful. I brushed her when she started to shed and she reallllllllyyyyyy loved it. I must brush her more to make her closer to me.
She has had her hooves trimmed twice; does not like it, but is coming along.
Captain is gorgeous and has the time of his life with his herd. I bought a riding mower and the sheep came out to look at and inspect it. I think they were wondering if it was the new member of the herd!
They are all so very funny. I will attach a couple of pictures. Honey is difficult to photograph. I don’t know why, but I can’t capture her beauty and elegance.
Please tell everyone hello for me. I wish I were rich and I would adopt more horses and send money all the time; but since I am not, I will do my best to take loving good care of the two horses I have adopted–along with sheep, chickens, cats, dogs, fish, and geese!
Hugs,
Edith