Mac

APHA
Sire: Mckenzies Gallant Jet
Dam: Heathens Hidden Assett

Each January, Denver hosts one of the largest Stock shows in the country. It is always a lot of fun to show at . . . or attend. January 2011, we were strolling through the barns and Mac was standing in the aisleway on a show halter with his trainer and owners. A small crowd was around him and I became intrigued with this beautiful specimen.

Mac was full of energy, antics and even rude behaviour. He is orally fixated and was what I call. . . wound up tight . Mac connected to me and I decided to give him a try at our farm. I knew he would be a blast to ride with all the "ferrari" type Western Pleasure training he had and the wins he had already accomplished in the ring. So if he did not work out as a healing team member, he would still have a place here.

His rude behaviour continued and even accelerated at first. He pushed the envelope with biting the lead rope, halter, blanket, stall doors, anything that was loose. Unfotunately he was also very threatening to do so to fingers or legs of handlers too. His former owner loved him and I could see why. . . even with the rudeness he was pouring through an insecurity that was palpable. He was a challenge for sure.

Strict discpiline would be one way to reach Mac and extinguish the behaviour and is what most horse trainers would suggest. It was clear he had already been disciplined a lot for the mouthing and biting and yet . . . the mouthing nipping, chewing and threatening was still there (and most likely why the trainer was willing to sell him).

We decided to take an opposite approach trusting that if it did not work we could return to the traditional way. . . and what he was raised with. . . harsh boundaries and threatening him back. We moved him into a stall between two of my heart healers and went with the theory he had gotten a lot of attention for his rudeness while being trained and shown. A strong enough presence with good bouandaries and he would simply clench his jaw and nash teeth. . . clearly not happy.

It took several weeks of consistent behaviour modification but we extinguished it with NO reaction or attention to it. The the only way he got attention at all was when he was polite. This meant only myself or very experienced handlers could be in a stall with him to remain safe as he can be a big bully in a round pen or stall.

In a few months he turned a huge corner from Bully on the block . . . or the Mac Attack as he came to be known . . to a huge marshmallow of sweetness who is polite and playful, happy and fun!

The change in Mac. . . meeting him and convincing him his true value is in his loving heart not any perfromance, was profound. He is relaxed to ride now. . . and a happy horse. He has moved into the Healing Herd. . . and this Summer will begin to work more and more with clients. One of my students is eager to steal him to North Carolina. . . so we will see where Mac ends up :)

We love ya Mac!