Softness Training at Finca Las Posadas

Today was the day the core herd of Finca Las Posadas moved to a new home! I have no horses here any more.

We all feel so lucky to have found a paddock that is not only as good as what they had…. but even better!

Varied terrain, slopes, flat bits, sandy bits, stoney bits, nibbly bits, shady bits, sunny bits, high bits where they can catch the wind, low bits where they can shelter….❤️

After a statutory run-around a few minutes after we set them loose, they all settled to forage and mooch around.

I suppose this is curtains down for this chapter! I wonder what tomorrow will bring….

A big thank you and a huge hug for all dear friends that have supported me and reached out during this emotional time. 🤗❤️🤗

Photo: The herd in the evening sun just a few minutes ago. 🐴🙏🐴

Disbanding 18 horses:

*5 went back to their owner after a rehab stint with us

*2 went back to the UK because I couldn’t find a suitable alternative for them here.

*2 horses went back to owners from being fostered/loaned

*2 had been seconded to a wonderful riding center that caters for children with additional needs… but now that is on hold

*3 found private alternative arrangements

*4 were moving together to a yard that offers livery in big open spaces… but they have just changed their mind so we have nowhere to go!

Back to the drawing board for 6 horses!

Anybody offering large space livery in the Mijas Costa surroundings? (Not interested in small paddocks)

A bitter-sweet announcement…

After 30 years of taking care of other people’s horses, over 3 continents and 5 countries, plus the advent of my 60-something birthdays, I have decided to retire from the job of taking care of other people’s horses. 🤗

It is a rollercoaster of emotions as I disband the beautiful herd I have cared for over the past 7 years.

I am nursing feelings that go from feelings of being a traitor to these horses to feelings of exhaustion with a deep need to care for myself.

I thank all the customers that have come through the gates… those that came, loved me and stayed for a long time and those that came, let me know how I could do it much better and left. I learnt from you all.

To all the horses that I loved, nursed through colicky nights, helped regain confidence, carefully tended to their sore skins…. and to those I held while they took their last breath: I will remember you all for ever. You each have a special place in my heart.

I look forward to spending more time with me, Ian, my family! And I am particularly looking forward to having dinner with clean finger nails! 😆

I will continue to share what I have learned over the years on my Softness Training page. You haven’t heard the last of me yet!

This “moment in time” fills my heart with joy….

It has taken the best part of 9 months… but Senador and Fabuloso are finally buddies! ❤️

For the first few months after Senador’s arrival, we had to keep him separate from the herd. Fabuloso was not very welcoming and Senador was not capable of standing his ground (emotionally).

Both horses have had traumatic experiences (one is subject of a court case for animal abuse, the other escaped euthanasia for being “dangerous” at the last hour!)

It has been complicated and time consuming. At times frustrating. Other times scary.

But, by creating an environment where they felt heard and safe, and by “getting rid of elastic bands around the watermelon”, they are now able to co-live. Having a stable herd, with enough room and forrage has been an important part of the process.

By spending, literally, hours introducing even a headcollar, we have managed to change the “what happens next” perception of these two horses, which in turns makes them feel safer, as well.

There is much to be said about rescuing a horse physically… but rescuing them emotionally is just as important. Mental and emotional health can’t be “seen”… but it is there!

Now, whenever I go out with Fabuloso, Senador greets him back with a lovely groom! …and Mojito (the cheeky shetland) joins it, too!

To see them resting together like this, fills my heart with joy.

Makes all the heartache and hard work worthwhile! ❤️

I am not sure who gets more enjoyment out of our Pony Experiences?

❤️ The child?
❤️ Me?
❤️ The pony?
❤️ The mom taking amazing photographs?

Whoever it is… what a special
activity it is for the little people in your family!

Call now to book yours! 🥰🐴

Photo: “Walk the Last Mile Home”, they say!

✨The Pony Experience✨

We offer special Pony Experiences to children between 4 and 7.

These are 1:1 experiences where your child will help me meet the pony in the paddock, help me brush the pony and get it ready for a ride. We will then go for a little ride (or not if the child prefers not to, we can do other things in our Pony Playground) and come back to feed the pony and put the pony back with his friends.

All age appropriate, of course! An accompanying adult stays with us all the time.

There are studies that show that this interaction with ponies is beneficial and very much enjoyed by our special children that perhaps need a little more support in communicating and connecting.

Please feel free to call Monica and discuss on 692376556.

Limited availability now in the summer months to avoid the heat.

I look forward to creating a lifetime memory for your child.

Based in Entrerríos, Mijas Costa.

🌞Helping Puppy HQ during the month of August🌞

During this month we are unable to support dog rescues with our usual fostering because we need to use all our space to provide shade for the horses.

However, I thought maybe we can help by raising funds for the association's that help dumped, abandoned and unwanted puppies.

To this effect, I will be sending ER Puppy HQ 10% of every Pony Experience booked during the month of August 2023.

You will be helping me feed the ponies in this very quiet time for business and I will share that help with ER Puppy HQ. Double good!

Pony Experiences are available Wednesday to Friday and Sundays at 930am.

Call Monica now to book yours on 692376556

Photo: Happy Ponies practicing "Synchronized Rolling"🥰

Every Saturday in August, we offer our “Horse and Pony Play Date”, 8:30am to 11:30am.

Today we pulled out the Horsey See-Saw for some fun.

I loved watching the girls and the horses and ponies figuring it out. It was a first for everybody.

Some lovely conversations. Feel. And what I loved the most… the absence of ego.

There was full consideration for the horse!

Just beautiful! ❤️🤷‍♀️❤️

If you know of a 9-13 child that would like to join us, please give us a call!

The best time of the day during the hot summers… it was a special evening! 🤗

Some of you might remember Caramelo?

His skin was really struggling in the heat of Spanish Summers so we decided to send him to our sister riding school in the Uk with his best friend Jessica to make the transition easier.

Best decision ever! He looks like a Unicorn again! ❤️❤️❤️

What a sweet, endearing Pony Experience this morning!

It is so wonderful to watch the little ones gain confidence as we go about getting our pony ready and spending time with our pony with a very organic, unprescribed agenda. ❤️

Call to book yours!