Miah

Miah was rehomed in early 2023. She is now living with Ashleigh who says Miah is happy and healthy and has two little girls who love her. Miah and Ashleigh’s daughter, Zoey, went to their first performance show together in April.

Here’s a great update from Miah’s adopter, Heather! 

Hi everyone, happy spring, Finally!

Miah has been with me now for about 6 months. We did little during the winter except survive, although that time was well spent, Miah is home and I think she knows that. I was able to take her out in April when we had a few good weather days that just happened to coincide with my days off and was quite surprised, she was a willing trail partner with no fuss or issues. She was a lot calmer and just seemed to be more comfortable with life and her surroundings.

This last Thursday we loaded the camper, the horse trailer, all the horses and went to Sahara Creek Campground near Elbe for 4 days and 3 nights. If you are not familiar with the horse camp or the trails here is a link: http://trailmeister.com/elbe-hills-sahara-creek-campground-wa/ I have also attached a terrain map. The camp ground is well maintained with high-lines, water, and toilets. I had worked with Miah at home on a high-line so was confident she would be ok. She did great, no issues on the high-line; training goal number 1‑pass. After camp was set up we saddled up and went for our first ride on the Nicholson Horse Trail. We decided to do the shorter Does Crossing loop since the elevation change from Lower Elk Spur to Upper Elk Spur can be significant especially for horses that are not yet in shape.

Miah’s first challenge was a bridge, she only hesitated a little but followed Gus across with no problem. The next challenge was the Steps, this is the first climb and is a steep zig-zag with water bar steps, she took the climb like a champ, next was the gun fire from the rock quarry above the trail system, not a flinch out of her. The next challenge was a creek with boardwalk step-downs to the creek. Here we had some issues since Gus decided He didn’t want to go down the boardwalk to cross the creek. I asked Miah to take the lead, she went down the first two step-downs ok, then started having second thoughts. About half way down she stopped, gentle encouragement was not working and she seemed to be escalating. The footing situation is not one you want a horse getting nervous and dancing around on so I got off and started leading her. I had to get my feet wet crossing the creek but she followed me across. Gus on the other had was not having anything to do with it until he thought Miah was going to leave him, amazing how fast and willing he was crossing the creek then! The rest of the ride was uphill, downhill, beautiful terrain and trails, some logs and roots to step over, step downs and another bridge. Miah’s attitude and willingness was admirable. She finished that ride in good shape with no soreness at all.

The next two days was more of the same but in different configurations, directions, levels of difficulty, and challenges. There are two creeks on Lower Elk Spur that are close to each other, these happen to be year-long creeks and this time of year they are roaring loud with snow melt run-off. Now even though these creeks are not very wide, they seem to be the most horse eatin’est creeks ever to be presented to our dainty little mare! It took a little time but she went across without my feet getting wet, a definate plus! Miah rode three days in a row, climbed a lot of hills, rode in the rain, stood on a high-line for three nights all without a serious bout of fear or unwillingness (she didn’t even snort!). I checked her after every ride and she was not sore or lame. She passed all the challenges presented to her this week with flying colors. Ms Miah is officially a trail horse! Now time and miles will get her strong and the more she encounters the more confidence she will have.

It has been a delight to get to know this gentle little flower. Miah is always happy to greet you in the pasture or in her paddock. She has a very soft and pleasant demeanor and her beautiful big eyes make your heart melt. I’ve started to ride Miah over the last few weeks and while she was cautious at first, I’ve quickly gained her trust and I’m enjoying our time together. She is a very willing partner with an eagerness to please.

Naturally, as an Arab mare, you may guess she has some spunk to her stride…some of which can be accounted for her getting to know a new rider. I have been working with her on establishing a nice rhythm and relaxation. Miah has softened into some very nice moments and has smooth strides as she stretches without difficulty over her top line. She is easy to move forward, stop and change directions. I rode her Monday after 3 days off and she was great. While more consistent rides will help her establish better balance and stamina, her head was in it and we didn’t have any issues due to the long weekend.

Miah gives a rewarding experience for the rider. She is one of those horses that gets into your heart and makes it so you can’t stop smiling!

Miah competed in Dressage at the 2013 SAFE show with her volunteer rider, Casey Anderson. They made a lovely pair!

Photos taken by Bobbie Climer:

Miah had a great ride today with SAFE trainer Brittney Stewart. This video was taken after she’d been ridden for about 35 minutes so she’s a little bit tired but still going nicely!

Miah is off at the trainer’s to get re-started under saddle. She’s already trotted under saddle and Andrea reports she’s doing great and easy so far. We’ll have more updates on her progress soon, but for now, here’s a picture of our lovely girl after her first bath! Doesn’t she look amazing? 

In late October 2011, Miah and her herd mates Shiloh and Khianna, arrived at the SAFE farm. SAFE had tried for several months to place these mares for their owner through our SAFE-Assisted Placement program but without any luck, mostly because these horses had not received much handling due to their owner’s illness. Therefore, once we had space available for them, we sent some brave volunteers down to Castle Rock to pick them up and bring them to Monroe.

Miah is a skittish mare, who is benefiting greatly from the handling she is now receiving at SAFE. Although she has been ridden in the past, she is very much in need of training to teach her to be a safe, rideable horse. For now, though, we are working to get her more comfortable being handled and teaching her ground manners. 

Here are some pictures of pretty Miah frolicking in the snow:

Update from Jeanette who, with help from our friends at Sound Equine Options, went down and helped the owner of the horses in Castle Rock get the horses up to date on all their routine care: 

Miah — Owners state she has Khemosabi lines in her breeding. She was nice but took a little warming up to get her engaged. She allowed me to groom her in the initial group stall setting but we segregated her & Khianna in an adjacent stall once they were lightly sedated. Blue could see them but was not in the way of us handling them.

Vet says that she may have mild allegies, noting some crustiness discharge around her eyes, her rubbed out mane suspecting and itchy coat. They flushed her nasal passage in hopes of relieving some of the buildup in her ducts. The RIGHT duct was easy to flush but the left one was more difficult possibly indicating that it was more congested. Vet recommends flushing with every float or sedation.

She also has good mouth conformation & good feet (it was apparent that she passed on those good traits to her daughter, Shiloh)

Also recommended adding Oil to her diet: starting with a Tablespoon and working up gradually to 1/4 cup & having teeth checked annually but probably won’t need floats every year.