What Arabian girl doesn’t love her hair products and pampering?  Well until this matted tail little mare had met me, I’m not sure how she survived without spa treatments and pampering!  As you may know from earlier reports, while Ginger’s previous owner allowed her to eat at much as her round body could take, her skin and grooming were neglected.  If the mat in her tail, the size of a toy bat, wasn’t enough, the poor girl suffers from a terrible summer itch.  Much of her mane and tail were rubbed out and many old scares and scabs ran along her under carriage from chest to hind legs.

Ginger enjoying the kids attention

Ginger has always maintained her sweet disposition however, like many horses that come to SAFE, she distinctly told me that the spray bottle and hoses just may kill her!  For Ginger and so many of the rescue horses it’s about building trust.  The relationship we are creating teaches them that I’m always looking out for them and my intentions are to help them feel better.

Slowly but surely Ginger has learned that I am her friend.  Through ground work, praise and carrots for standing still, I’m happy to say not only can we spray her with needed anti-itch medications and fly sprays but she has successfully had two medicated baths with no problems!  Steadily her weight has come down and she is looking great overall.  We continue to work on her confidence.  When approached to be haltered by a new person or someone she doesn’t know well, she still tends to turn and walk away.  If you talk to her in a sweet voice she will turn and look at you, then you can approach her and halter her without a problem.  Maintaining this bit of a distance with people is her way of self-preservation.  She is cautious of what you are going to do to her but once she understands she is relatively easy to handle.

A fearful horse like Ginger does extremely well with lots of love and affection.  I have to admit she has become one of my favorites at Safe Harbor.  She is very endearing, loves attention, gives great hugs, is gentle around kids and if that isn’t enough, she is a beautiful mover who easily “hooks up” with me; leading, turning and backing up without halter or line in the arena.