Gabbi was my first choice at the September 20,1997 adoption at Harrington, Delaware and luckily I was able to select on draw #4. After seeing her haltered (bucking, kicking, etc. in the chute) I wasn't sure I selected the right one. Her mane and tail was matted, a number of kick and bite marks over her body made a not so pretty horse. With the halter and rope on, she jumped right into the stock trailer.

We arrived home around 1:00pm and backed up to the corral gate, expecting burst of speed, instead she walked out calmly, right through the gate. She had a bale of hay and tub of water to consume before I returned at 5:00pm.

Gabbi was calm and just looked at me when I opened the gate. A few minutes later I was rubbing her face, neck and back. This was more shocking than her previous wildness. I then brushed out the dead hair and rubbed her for about 1 hour; she was relaxed and didn't move. She did sniff me several times but never nipped.

The next morning she was near the gate and wanted more attention. While she ate, I rubbed and brushed more and then cut out her mane and tail with no problems. The third day her drag rope was removed; everyday progressing a little with leading or mostly turning in the corral.

The second week, I lead her out to graze in the pasture. She wanted to break and run but she learned a 30' rope was the limit. She was reminded of the wild days as she looked far off occasionally; what a beautiful pose with head high and ears pointed!

The third week was the real test to see if she trusted me. I put a child's saddle on her 3 different times with no problems.

The fourth week she was released to pasture with a miniature mule as her companion. Gabbi had already become boss on the 30' rope.

Gabbi learned whoa the first day in the round pen. Not much training after the first 60 days. People have been petting her since the first week and she likes the attention.