Chica Update from PONY Magazine #7!
Updated 11/18/08
Get more information on our rescue horse, Chica!
Facts about Jean-Francois Pignon
Jean-François Pignon is one of the world’s best and most famous horse trainers. He holds clinics all over the world and performs in shows throughout Europe. His show includes six mares, and together they form a unique team. The special bond between the man and his horses always touches audience members who have the privilege to witness his unique show. Jean-Francois’s advice to all horse people is to “respect horses, and let them keep as much of their natural character as possible. That is the key to a happy horse.”
A special note from Chica:
For almost two years now, you have been able to read about my life here at El Rancho, where I have been so well taken care of by my trainers Rebecca and Inger. But as you know, my life has been full of many changes and big contrasts in good times and bad. Now is the time for another big change …
| One day a man came to my stable at El Rancho. His name is Mr. G, and I immediately sensed that he understands us horses. Mr. G treated me gently, but firmly, and his voice was calm and soft, although in a language I didn’t understand very well. But even if some of the words sounded strange to me, I knew that he meant well … |  |
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When the sun and moon had changed place in the sky twice, Mr. G came again, along with Inger, and I suddenly knew that everything was about to change. Inger was so sad. She hugged me over and over again, and I could feel her warm tears on my skin. I got many kisses on my nose, and after a while they both followed me into a horse–trailer with a nice red horse head on the side. And soon the wheels started turning … faster and faster. In the trailer I had both food and water, and Mr. G came regularly and took me out so I could stretch my legs. |
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Then one day, we rolled into a farm where the air was filled with the welcoming whinnies of 10 horses. I was let loose in a big field, and I bet you can understand how wonderful it felt to be free! The other horses whinnied to me and told me I was visiting the home of a real horseman. They called him “Boss,” and said that I must not be afraid if “Boss” came to train me. I didn’t know what they meant … |
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But the next day, I did. And I experienced something that came to change the way I look at you two-legged types. Boss appeared in my field carrying a long whip. What did he want from me? I immediately sensed that he was special. He concentrated solely on me, and I felt slightly unsure. I wanted to walk away from him, but every time I did, he followed me, crisscrossing over the entire field. I ran – and he ran after me. I stopped – and he stopped. When I stood still, he did the strangest things with the long whip. One second he tapped it lightly on my back – the next second he used it to scratch my neck. Hmm … what did he mean by this? |
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I could feel some sort of pressure from Boss, but every time I looked at him, it was as if the pressure eased. In the end I felt that when I ran, and he ran after me, what he really wanted to say was, “Run if you want to, but you can’t run away from me.” |
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And I could understand the two-legged creatures in a completely new and different way – what a relief! It was as if I had cracked some sort of code. I suddenly realized that people can be good leaders, and that makes me feel safe. I walked closer and closer to Boss until I was standing there cuddling with him! I understood what the other horses had tried to tell me. For the next few days both Boss and Mr. G trained me, and I had no problems with them! It was fun! Then … one morning Mr. G loaded me onto the horse trailer again, and the wheels started rolling. |