Our Horses: Blackhawk
Acorn, Aspen, Athena, Beryl, Blackhawk, Cedar, Chaparral, Daisy, Everest, First Star, Hickory, Honey Girl, Jade, Jasper, Joyee, Juniper, Navajo, Onyx, Pearl, Pepper, Pinon, Raven, Sapphire, Sequoia, Springtime, Starbright, Teak, Teton, Tiger Eye, Topaz, Vaquero, Wild Sweet William, and Zoey
Adopted in 1997, Blackhawk is from the Maverick Medicine herd, approximately 75 miles southeast of Elko, Nevada.
Blackhawk is black, of course, with a cute white spot on his nose. Blackhawk’s build and appearance mirrors the ancestral Andalusian bloodlines. As a baby, his head looked bigger than his body. Blackhawk was quiet but unsure of the human. When he was young he was roped by some intruders on the ranch. He ran all night dragging a lariat behind him. When Mary Lee found him the next morning, he really wasn't thinking the human was such a good deal!
Once Mary Lee got him in the round pen it took thirty minutes to release the lariat from around his sweaty neck. Another year of training was lost and a traumatic scar left forever. The wild horse never forgets and remains cautious; that’s how they survive. If they experience physical pain, it is like a hot branding iron. Wild horses must be gentled, not broken. Blackhawk demonstrates the hugeness of their hearts and their incredible ability to forgive human error.
Blackhawk’s natural kind and gentle personality has prevailed. He is quiet around the lesson students and all the barn commotion. His good size and smooth gait makes him a very pleasant ride and a good candidate for therapeutic riding. He was very comfortable being brushed and led around this summer by BreeAnn in her wheelchair. She is hoping we will be able to complete his training so that she can ride him.
By the close of Summer 2005, Blackhawk was being ridden. He needs more training but he will be the legs for BreeAnn and many others. BreeAnn rides Pepper unassisted in a modified Australian saddle at the walk, trot, and canter. Mary Lee has devised a flag method to replace the leg cues so that BreeAnn can feel independent and free.
2009 Update:
2009 was a great summer for Blackhawk. He is an active member of the schooling horses. He can even jump fences in Mary Lee's advanced class. He continues to have the smoothest gaits and transitions imaginable.
2010 Update:
Blackhawk really turned a corner this summer, joined our leasing program, and is now partnered with Irene Powlick. What a cute couple they make! Who would have thought he wanted to jump fences for his job? Lindsay Collins, our lead instructor, apparently did when she suggested they team up. He is very cute going over fences and Irene makes sure he is stunning every time they enter the arena. He loves having his own person, especially one as attentive as Irene!
