Feature horse - Eutimio (Timmy)
Every trainer has one horse in their lifetime that they would probably consider their most rewarding and educational challenge. Timmy was that horse for me. As with most of my personal horses Timmy was a rescue. The Iberian that I’d always dreamed of but couldn’t afford unless he was so messed up that no one wanted him. He had scars on his nose, chin, poll, tongue and extensive scars on his sides. His emotional scars were even worse. He was mostly shut down and frozen, occasionally very explosive, and his muscles were rock hard from tension. I’d worked with quite a few difficult horses before, and in fact I really enjoy the puzzle that they are, but he really took the cake! I could not have reached him without clicker training and Intrinzen.
After several years Timmy’s talents were starting to shine. Schooling 3rd and getting scores in the 80’s in the EOH phase of Working Equitation, he had really become quite easy and fun. Those are recognizable accomplishments in others eyes though. For me it was the moment he cantered up to me while I was cleaning his pasture and started to piaffe on his own, not the terrified leg scramble that his abusers had tried unsuccessfully to beat out of him, but expressive, unrestrained, and full of joy. Dancing like no one was watching, because no one was (except me laughing with a huge smile on my face). I had to make the agonizing decision to end his life two weeks later when it became clear he would not survive peritonitis despite the hospital’s best efforts. Our partnership was too short but it was because of him that I truly became a believer that positive reinforcement training is the only method that creates a positive connection and enthusiastic working relationship.
Competition photos by Molly O’Brien Photography
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