The Blooming of Boomerang

Sketch for 'Chalk the Walk' artwork for July's First Friday.

Boomerang, Mascot for White Horse Studio

For background info on Boomerang and to read about her rescue go here:

I am not sure but suspect that with horse's memory the first thing that comes to them is a traumatic or bad experience and then after that they can remember the good.




I am working with my rescue mare, Boomerang and am watching her bloom as she gets back into good physical condition. At this point what detracts from her physical appearance is just a few tangles on her mane (my laziness!!) and her hooves that are now being trimmed regularly but were brittle and seedy. They have already grown quite a bit of good, strong hoof but the farrier says it may take a full year until they are completely grown in.




Mentally she is blooming as well as I see her interacting more confidently with the herd and approaching me with confidence too. When she first came back she cowered and trembled around the other horses and me. I owned this mare several years ago so I think she came around faster because she had a positive history to remember in her associations with me.



That got me to thinking of how horses process memories. As the saying goes 'horses don't forget'. I think that is certainly true. I have another horse who was a rescue who goes thru his own version of flashbacks every spring. The first ride on him is his absolute worst. Usually it is with most horses but this horse will revert to old behaviors until something kicks in and he remembers-- oh, yeah... its not like that here!

I like to think art can do this for people. It has that ability to transport us away from stress and tension. I think arts contribution to society is how it can transform -- whether it is just a room in your house, your desk at work or a life, a thought or a way of seeing the ordinary things in our world. Remind us of a different way.



This week is July's First Friday. The overall theme is 'Chalk the Walk' as the http://www.artsinstark.com/ people bring in sidewalk artists to use chalk to create artwork on the street. I am participating by making a white horse on a large chalkboard that will be on an easel in front of Second April Art Gallerie. Inside you will find a group of artists, myself included, are bringing in some fine art pastels to go along with the chalk theme. We are calling our event Sidewalk Sidelines.


Inside the gallery and studios you will also find a wide assortment of art-- from jewelry to abstract art to fiber art, to pottery to sculptures to painted furniture to pet portraits, to equine art to portraits and figurative paintings, colorful digital photography, graphic arts, wood carving and mural painting are just a few of the different things you can see under one roof. The fun thing is you can see the artists at work, view their studios, talk to them about their work, listen to music, eat food.... see live theatre.... I am sure I am missing something but you get the idea. It is fun and free and the artwork is original and fresh and inspiring. There is also something in all price ranges. So please come and enjoy! :)

I am in White Horse Studios on the Second Floor.

Take care!
Sue Steiner
equine and animal artist
commissioned pet portraits

Art, Life and Horses

Boomerang with her BFF Flicka, a month ago






My farrier was out last night to work on Boomerang's feet. They were pretty chipped and seedy looking but already have improved tremendously. I had to have him come back because last week I couldn't get the halter on Boomer. The old ratty halter she came with was replaced with a new one which fell off in the pasture. She allows me to walk up to her, pet and handle her while she is loose but do you think she'd let me get anywhere near her with a halter-- heck no!



I decided since she is in much better shape physically than even a couple or so weeks ago I was not going to push this halter thing - you know- win the battle but not the war? I want to win the war with her so I took it slow and was rewarded with a great response from her. (Thank you farrier for understanding this too!) She is expecting bad things when she gets caught so I have to let her know I consistently will not result in bad things. I am the bearer of good things for her! By taking it slow she stood well for the farrier and also did not try to evade me in the stall. I am getting a head hanging out the door when I come near. Something is clicking inside of her and this is fun to see!



I was telling my farrier Boomer does fine as long as you act like you've got all the time in the world. She can sense an 'agenda' and is ultra sensitive to any pressure. But I am rewarded with a horse who I can lead with a feather. She is as gentle as the day is long. There is not a pushy bone in her body. I just have to throw any set time frame out the window because slower is faster and faster will backfire.



I often think of Boomer as having an artistic temperament- the soul of an artist if that's possible with a horse? Sweet and kind and dreamy but not so easily understood. One who does not fit in well with the world's agenda- goes against the tide.



As I held her for the farrier he commented on a jagged scar she has on her hip. I explained she was in a trailer accident as a 2 or 3 yr old. I had sold her as a yearling to a show home. They were trailering to a show when they heard a racket in the back. They stopped to see to their horror the divider in their trailer buckled and the sharp metal had gouged Boomer on her rump. They couldn't get her out so had to drive a ways to get help. I can't imagine that ride. They said the indie of the trailer looked like a horror film.



I looked over the other scars on Boomer's body-- the scars on her legs from the fence accident at the second owner's place. I thought also how strikingly beautiful she is in spite of these scars-- even though her initial lot in life was to be a halter horse. That route was quickly ended after the trailer accident and the scar on her hip.



Fortunately the scars have been from flesh wounds. Physically she is not hindered by her accidents but emotionally she remembers. And she still wants so badly to please. Its just that she doesn't very easily fit into closed, tight spaces. She is a wide open, give me escape routes kind of horse.

Just like an artist-- can't define 'em and can't confine 'em! And can't keep 'em on a tight time frame! :)

Please check out another rescue horse at http://cedarknolldrafthorses.blogspot.com/

I am coordinating a drawing for an original draft horse painting in oils as a way to raise money for Norman. Please pass this along to others and check back often. I need to finish some commissions (my agendas!) and then will do this new painting as a work in progress here.

thank you and God bless!

Sue Steiner

equine and animal artist

a wide open, space kind of girl! :)

Rescue Horse Update

Growth, Progress

Day 1


Day 5




2 months later








I thought I would post some before and after pics of my rescue horse, Boomerang. She was renamed this after I rescued her a couple months ago for the second time. She's the horse that keeps coming back to me and the one who now has a permenant home with me. I think she deserves it. I raised her as a foal and feel responsible for what happens to her. She is the reason why I would never breed again -- she is the poster child for what can happen with well bred horses when markets fall or trends change.... she is a full blooded arabian, papered, from good bloodlines, professionally trained, showed and beautiful-- a well put together horse but fell into hard times twice! Hard, hard times. She also is the inspiration behind the name of my art studio 'White Horse Studio'. I think she is beautiful, quirky, smart and challenging. She is kind of hot headed and spooky but sweet and kind and gentle. She's fun. She is also my muse- my
backyard diva.



White Horse Studio on my First Day, about 2 months ago

One of my first paintings from 2005 of Boomerang before I sold her to the home she just came back from.

A recent horse portrait I did as a commission

Thanks for stopping by!

Sue Steiner

equine and animal art

pet portraits

Painted Ponies- Abstract Horse Art

I am stepping away from this abstract horse painting to see if I am done or if I want to add to it. I am calling it Painted Ponies because I saw the horse profile up in the right hand corner right off the bat and the feather that is hanging from its bridle reminded me of war ponies the Indian rode into battle. I added a couple hand prints to continue with this theme.

This is 24 x 36 on gallery wrapped canvas in acrylics. I may go ahead and top it off with some oils just because I love how rich the colors are with oils. Right now I have the background paint in a matte finish and most of the highlights in a glossy or metallic paint which I think adds to the illusionary effects of the layering. The layers are not showing up as well in the computer image but hopefully you can get the gist of it.

Would love to hear comments on what you see as far as images just so I know its not just what I am seeing! :)

Thanks!

Sue Steiner

Starting Something New

The desire to do more abstract horse art has been brewing for quite some time. I am allowing myself today to experiement and have some fun with this idea. I have a large gallery wrapped canvas in which I slathered some paint on in a color palette I choose ahead of time. I let this sit overnight (acrylic underpainting) and came to it fresh this morning to see where the horse pops out of the canvas and then will let that develop.

I had a piece of art that I recently sold but one that was done in this vein. I got more comments on that piece than any other. Its kind of funny because as I was trying to do my more detailed 'portrait' styled commissions this one was what was recieving the attention and 'enaging' people in my studio. There was something there that drew people in. I ended up calling the piece 'Mystery' because it had a translucent, dreamlike quality that people seemed to like. My guess was that the work where all the answers or visual information is given to the viewer does not engage them in the same way. This intrigued me-- part of being in the 'business' of selling art is trying to walk that fine line between having a product that people want but also feeding your own creative spirit.

This more abstract art is even more so in that direction so we'll see. Art is just one big experiment anyways isn't it?

I love doing detailed work but at this stage in my life and artist development I also know that my preference is to zoom in on a specific point of interest and then let the other areas get fuzzy with bigger brushstrokes and movement. That kind of work is what I find exciting and feeds my creative spirit. I was able to pinpoint why I am at this stage now artistically and it seems to come down to having a house full of teenagers! LOL! In order to feel like I can sit down and do detailed work I have this quirk where my house/studio needs to be quiet and in order. Well, fat chance of that hapepning at least for a few more years! Certainly not this summer and most definitely not today. I am enjoying this stage of life with my kids but also realize the extra energy needs to be directed somewhere so it is in wild spalshes of color on a canvas. Not a bad place to direct that in the whole scheme of things! (Plan b- sell more paintings and hire a molly maid!)

So what I am doing here is painting this big splash of color and brushstrokes. I've looked at it now to see where I envision a horse and will go from here to try to bring that out as loose and colorful as I can. When I looked thru the camera lens the image jumped out at me so away we go!

Be back soon with updates.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sue Steiner

equine and animal artist

Pop Art Pup finished

As you can probably see by the frequency of new posts here I've got several things in the works. I added the finishing touches on this painting and added the text since I will use it as a sign in my studio. The original painting, 9 x 12 in oils, will be posted on my web site and offered for sale there as well as in my art studio. I will be making notecards and prints from this painting since I needed some more dog and cat art to sell. If you are interested just drop me a line at artbysue@hotmail.com

Thank you!

Sue Steiner

colorful custom pet portraits with character! :)

Figure Painting Work in Progress

16 x 20 oils, work in progress figurative painting

This is a new piece I am working on for an upcoming art exhibit. I've been wanting to do more figurative/portrait work in this looser, more expressive style so I am enjoying doing this human figure painting for a chance of pace. I am more familiar with horse anatomy then human anatomy so I feel like I am still in the learning curve here but hey, that's why I am painting, right? I still need to do quite a bit of shaping -- I am getting my road map in place and where I go from there I am not sure. Stay tuned! :)

To see finished work go to http://www.suesteiner.com or stop by my studio at Second April Art Gallerie in Canton, Ohio. This should be done and in my studio in time for July's First Friday and Open Studios.

thanks for stopping by!

Sue Steiner

Pop Art Pup

I am done for now with this cutie! I will probably let this dry then go back over some highlights- especially in the darker eye thats in shadow. At that point I will think some more about how I want to handle the floor tile. He was lots of fun to do. Love it when the personality bursts out of these paintings-- just like they do with the real life animals.

I will have this for sale thru my art studio in Canton and web site as soon as it is offically finished. I also will be making some cards and small prints of this and other dog and cat portraits I've done that I will sell as well.

You can see this and other animal art during Canton's First Friday Events. My art studio is open during regular business hours of Second April Art Gallerie too.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sue Steiner

pet portraits in oil

animal art

Pop-Eyed Pup WIP

Puppy Portrait 'Work In Progress'




I loved this puppy! This is from a photo reference from http://www.wetcanvas.com/ in the animal / wildlife forum. I am doing this backwards and in a experimental-- 'come what may' sort of way. I am playing again! :) I feel like I am posting this at a peculiar spot but maybe that will just encourage you to check back!

The view is from above looking down on this little guy. The squares are floor tiles. He just has basically a few toes sticking out underneath. The blue on the floor is a shadow. I sketched the drawing in with chalk so you can still see remnants of that.



I painted the under painting in acrylics just because that was left over from my sailboat earlier today. The rest is in oils. I liked layering the lighter naples yellow over the blue underpainting and so just let things move along from there.



I may finish this today or move on to my horse commission. Time will tell.



Thanks for watching! If you are stopping in and interested in a pet portrait you can find info on my web site at on my commission page. When this is done I will put it up for sale at my studio and on my web site.

thanks for stopping by!

Sue Steiner

Abstract Sailboat

Abstract Sailboat 20 x 24 acrylics

Not going to the beach this year? Bring the water to you! I am in the mood for summer- can you tell? I was after some excitement, big splashes of color and strong lively brushstrokes. This is fairly big... 20 x 24 in acrylics with big thick paint. Fun to throw some paint around in big thick strokes! :)

On the 'to do list' after this is a dog portrait and more southwestern style equine art.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sue Steiner

colors of summer.... floral art

Gerber Daisies, 16 x 20 acrylics




Its funny how colors and images can bring back seemingly unrelated memories. I painted these flowers today while on my deck. Its a beautiful summer day. After I painted this it definitely brought back memories of sailing on Lake Erie when my husband and I were dating. I know it is a painting of flowers! I looked at the painting more closely and realized the triangular composition, the bluish greens and the bright reds and orange likely brought about the association to the sails on the sailboats, summer time and sparkling water as the light reflected off the lake. Those are happy summer time memories for sure! Water, beach, sun, breeze... ahhh summer time!

This month I will be featuring new floral art in my studio in addition to my usual animal and equine art. I am itching to get back to my southwest style horse painting now that it has had time to set up so stay tuned to see how that shapes up.



I also will likely begin a cat pet portrait in the next few days. This is a memorial portrait of a big orange tabby with a beautiful ruff and the kindest ginger-y eyes. I am really looking forward to painting this one too.

Thanks for stopping by!
Sue Steiner
animal and equine artist
pet portraits
florals in oils and acrylics

Cat Art- Daily Painting

'Wild Thing', cat in oils by Sue Steiner

11 x 14




I like to do these fast daily paintings in between pet commissions and portraits. I find them relaxing and fun and I am also beginning to see from my studio that my looser work seems to be well received.



I like working with a limited palette in oils and using nice thick paint and bold brushstrokes. I try to pare down to the essence with life and movement but not get overly fussy. That's the goal anyways! This will be for sale at my studio and my Etsy shop. Just give me a day or so to get it where it needs to be.



Now just to think of a name.... how about Wild Thing? As I painted this I was thinking how our cuddle bug house cats still retains those beautiful lines and marking similar to their wild relatives. I've got a big ol' house cat Moses, who never set a foot outside but who still lives on the wild side... even if its only in his own mind! :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Sue Steiner

equine and animal artist

Southwestern Horse Art Continues, June 9

Still tweaking.. working out lighting, background .... will work on the face after this layer dries.... There are nice big brush strokes on this. I will go back over this once dry with nice thick paint and continue along that vein. So this will rest for now and I will begin another one.

Thank you and happy trails!

Sue Steiner

equine and animal art

pet portraits

Southwest Horse Art WIP continues

I feel like I cursed myself by not drawing this out beforehand! LOL! See what I get for being impulsive and impatient?? I like digging in and dealing with what comes up rather than holding back. Story of my life! :) I guess as long as I direct it at paintings that will be okay! See why art is good for society???

The legs are still bothering me but I made some big adjustments to the front left and it is starting to feel better. Much of the hind legs will be obscured by tail. The hoof is not visible in my reference so I am needing to imagine how that looks which is always more difficult-- especially when it is about anatomy. I am not worrying about that right now. There will be time to nit pick later.

I am thinking about contrasts and the overall composition that needs to be repeated. This painting has a lot of diagonal lines so I wanted to bring in stronger light coming in behind and in front of the head to give that strong diagonal light. The mane and tail will be wisping behind the horse too with the light shining thru. I am getting a better feel for the face-- am glad I turned her inward.... am trying to preserve lights right now so there will be interesting shadows on her face.

I want some areas with lost lines so the rump is softened against the background as is the mane and between the ears. I am wanting a strong contrast between the face and the neck/shoulder so that area was deepened.

To see finished art go to http://www.suesteiner.com To follow this blog see the side bar. To contact me regarding commissioning a pet or horse portrait e-mail me at artbysue@hotmail.com To buy art go to my web site or White Horse Studio at Second April Art Gallerie.

Have a good day! Be back soon!

Sue Steiner

Southwestern Horse - work in progress

I could not stop painting this today! The legs are bothering me and I still haven't gotten to concentrate on the face but its coming along. I turned the horses head in slightly.

thanks for stopping by!

Sue Steiner

equine art and pet portraits

New Work in Progress Horse Art

Its always interesting to me how I may some certain plans for what I want to do with a painting but once I get started they most often take on a life of their own. For the most part I like to let that happen because I think they have more life to them when that happens. Fortunately this client is willing to just let me 'have at it' so we can all see where this one is going when we get there!

My original idea was to have a more stylized horse with a southwest style of flavor to it. I have my color palette in mind-- how it all takes shape I am letting it evolve.

This is fairly large-- 24 x 36 on gallery wrap canvas. I am starting with a toned canvas using thinned burnt sienna.

From here I begin to do my drawing on the canvas. I really prefer this over anything else-- I think because I am impatient! I also like how again the painting is allowed to evolve. I also like the looser feel at the beginning. Its relaxing-- the whole process is very forgiving and since this is oil it is workable for a long time. I like drawing but I do not like doing anything over and over so even my initial drawing is done then directly on the canvas. I can get as detailed as I want further down the line if that's the direction it is going to take-- or it can be fast and loose.

At this point it is basically finger painting! LOL!

I am just looking at big shapes and lights and darks. I've added French ultramarine for the shadows and am using turpentine to pull off color for the lights.

I am using some charcoal to do some drawing now. I still do alot of the drawing with my brush... I also am working on the outline now. The horse will be back lit. The face is in shadow so I am not rushing to define that very much at this point.

This is after maybe an hour and a half of painting? I am guessing-- hate to track time while I am painting-- kind of spoils it when I have to do that! LOL! I left this photo file large so you can see it close up if you click on it. I really love the near hind foot. I may use that to spur me on to do some monotone horse paintings with this looser , charcoal kind of feel to it. I will keep going on this painting but I want to remember that foot because I like that look!

I am still working on proportions etc. but this is the rough draft after 1 painting session.

The final image will be back lit with a gently windblown mane and tail. I like to ask my clients what emotion they want the painting to convey-- she was after gentleness, a connection by way of eye contact and a little bit of whimsy and free spiritedness. I try to think of the emotions as I paint because I think it comes thru.

Thanks for following along. It feels SO good to be painting! I am grateful for my new studio and the other opportunities that have been coming my way but I never want to get too far away from my easel. :)

To see finished work go to http://www.suesteiner.com/ or stop by White Horse Studio at Second April Art Gallerie. You can also follow this blog (see top of side bar) and get updates on this and other work in progress paintings! I've got a cat portrait, a dog portrait, some van gogh style flowers and another horse painting on the 'to do list'.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sue Steiner

equine and animal artist

pet portraits

Star Material!

The last couple days I've spent resting, relaxing and getting ready to go on a painting spree! :) One of the ways in which I get ready is by spending some time in the barn just hanging out and doing my barn chores. Today I remembered my camera. Ricco, the ever present ham will tell you the rest of the story in pictures.

Waiting by the Gate

Food?

Oh, a camera! Non-edible.

Posing

Aren't I cute?

I am star material!

I agree! :) I'll post some work in progress pics tomorrow of some new artwork. I've got some horse portrait commissions, pet portraits and just some fun stuff all in the works. In the mean time if you would like to see finished work you can find it here or at my studio above Second April Art Gallerie.

Thanks for giving Ricco an audience. You can see how much he loves that!

Sue Steiner

equine and animal artist

Ricco, 1 year ago and today!

Ricco then and now


Just about a year ago I took this photo of Ricco. I feel like he is my mid life baby... I really didn't NEED a big strapping colt in my life... but here he is and is he ever a delight to me! I was fortunate in that he has good genetics for temperament (as well as other things!). I was able to imprint him at birth. Those two factors have come together to give me a goofy, affectionate, curious, laid back, coppery red colt that I am having so much fun with. I do want to say he is starting to grow into those ears. We were just a wee bit concerned when people would see photos and mistake him for a mule! LOL!!

I gave me some treats, a good grooming and scratches for his one year birthday and he was happy as can be.

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First Friday and White Horse Studio Grand Opening Update

Many of you know yesterday was a pretty big day for me. I was doing the painting demo during First Friday and also celebrating my studios grand opening. My camera broke right before First Friday (of all days) but I got a few photos on my son's camera of the main event-- the Budweiser horses! They did not disappoint! They were absolutely beautiful!! Impeccably groomed, beautifully conditioned, well mannered and exquisite to look at. I was SO disappointed I did not have my camera but I am also afraid if I did I may of never got around to the other things I needed to do that night!

My art studio opening went very well. Lots of people traffic, brisk sales and I got to make good contacts. Thank you for your support. It was really a fantastic night! Could not of asked for a better night!

You can likely expect a painting soon from this photo below. How could I resist that face? Follow this blog to see new work in progress artwork!

Budweiser Clydesdales in Canton's First Friday

Thanks for stopping by. To see more equine art go to http://www.suesteiner.com/ or stop by White Horse Studio at Second April Art Gallerie in Canton, Ohio.

Thank you!

Sue Steiner

equine and animal artist

Me and My Bud, Budweiser Clydesdale, that is!

Sue Steiner getting ready for an outdoor painting demo for Canton's First Friday!




I am not good with surprises! I am giving you a sneak peek at my big clydesdale painting! The weather forecast for tomorrow's First Friday is beautiful. I have new artwork hanging. I've got prints, notecards, small fun items ready to sell. I've got the cake ordered and ballons, plates ready to go! So I am as ready as I am going to be! :) Really looking forward to a fun time.



This painting will be set up outside in the park where the horses will stop after their parade around the arts district. I will add to this painting for a couple hours than head inside to my studio for the grand opening located above Second April Art Gallerie , suite #207 on the second level. I have a special promotional coupon in my studio for pet portraits that can be used for the remainder of 2009 (think Christmas, house warming, wedding or birthday gifts!!)

After tomorrow I will be getting back to posting work in progress paintings. I've got 2 horse portraits, a lovely long haired tabby cat portrait and a floral commission I either have started or will be starting in the next couple weeks so if you are new to this blog consider 'following' to watch those take shape. Look to the right sidebar for directions on how to do that.

Stop by and say hi!

Sue Steiner

equine and animal artist

pet portraits in oils or watercolor

'Out of the Blue', horse oil painting

Out of the Blue, oils, Sue Steiner




I want to call this horse painting abstract but its probably more 'sylized'. I don't know that it matters what I call it! :) If it dries I will hang it in my studio for this First Friday.



I did this as a commission for someone who saw a similar smaller painting of mine and wanted something larger. I did notice I am painting larger now that I am in a larger space! More wall space to show larger pieces. All winter I scaled down to 8 x 10 and 9 x 12's. Now my recent paintings have been large, more colorful, more stylized.



Funny how what ever style I am working on I seem to get a hunger than to do something different! Is this the curse of being an artist or the blessing? I've really enjoyed the looser paintings like the one above but maybe with all the commotion with moving my studio behind me, I am now craving a more realistic painting I can sink my teeth into-- hunker down in my studio in my grubby paint clothes and paint the hours away! Obsess over the tiny details... when I feel like this a graphite piece seems to hit the spot too. Its a great cure for worrying. I'll need to put myself in seclusion though because to do that kind of work I need a quiet spot of which I do not think I will have any time soon here at home! Maybe the motivation to use my studio as a working studio will kick in. Kids are out for the summer and things have hit high gear already! Gotta love teenagers!



It won't happen this week though. First Friday, Budweiser Clydesdales painting demo, art studio grand opening.... this is a busy week.

Sue Steiner

equine and animal artist

pet portraits

Why Rescuing Animals is Good for Us

I want to preface this to say I think rescuing people is wonderful also -- even better-- but is a whole other ballgame compared to rescuing a starving horse when you have to go thru the social services system. I was a foster parent and found that to be very rewarding. For today I will talk about what is on my mind with my recent rescue horse and how that relates to it being a good thing for us, as a society.

Some of you may remember Boomerang's story. This blog post from a month ago will give you an overview.

First I'll update you as far as her physical condition. She came to me probably at a 1 body conditioning score. There is a standard body condition scale that helps identify how much weight a horse is carrying. The scale goes from 1 to 10 with 5 being where you generally want to be. This is helpful because excess weight can be just as bad for a horse as not enough but a score of 1 is very bad! New horse owners in particular need to know how much weight a horse is carrying so they can gauge how to feed. When Boomer came home again she was at a 1. Today she is between a 2.5 and 3. She is gaining nicely -- but not too quickly so to bring on problems from an overloaded system. Physically she is well on her way to being her beautiful self!

I do have to remind myself though as I encounter the emotional/behavioral aspects that this is not the same horse I had a couple years ago. I think she'll come back but as with anyone or any animal who has been thru difficulties the emotional/behavioral after effects take much much longer to overcome. This interview got me to thinking about her in a different light. I mentioned this horse when asked about inspiration or my muse.

I was reminded of the patience I need to take with this horse after her halter came off again. The one she came with was rubbing hair off and did not fit well. I got her a nice, pretty new one and went to change halters. I was thinking of her as I knew her before and just went to put the new halter on. We were doing okay until the new halter bumped her pink nose that was slightly sunburned. Now she felt pain- even though it was accidental on my part it was something she reacted strongly too. Maybe the people = pain connection was brought in the forefront of her mind? Who knows. Any of my other horses would of not reacted at all but they have a different history. They would of sensed and known from our time together that it was accidental and just brush it off.

Boomerang's halter came off just a day or so after I first got her back a month ago. Last time it took me 3 very patient days to get it back on. When she is loose I can walk up to her and pet her and handle her but if I have a halter in my hand it is a different story. A month ago we didn't have a pasture of green grass so I had some leverage when it came to feeding her-- I want her to associate me with good things= food, scratches, gentleness etc. She wants to be the horse she was but fear and bad memories hold her back. That's okay... I have time now to just let her come around (other than I want to get her feet trimmed and need to be able to lead her around!!!). In the meantime I am trying to be smarter than she is when it comes to getting this halter on!!

I made some progress because I have her in a stall now. Up to this point I did not make it an issue to get her IN the barn because she was SO thin I wanted her to relax and eat. A month ago she would not go in the barn. Did not want to step into a confined space. I do not think she's been in a stall for a couple years or so. So that was a major step! I am no longer 'trying' to get the halter on her because she can sense the directness. I am now grooming her and feeding her with a halter in my hand and rubbing it on her but with no motions to try to get it on. Take the urgency away and I know she can sense that and relax more. I remember as a foal she responded so well to a soft gentle touch. I remember telling my husband that as a young foal being halter broken she would be all tense but then melt like butter when I laid my hand on her. I am spending time thinking of the soft touch she needs.

Okay so back to the title of this blog entry. Why is this a good thing for me? In many ways I see this beautiful, highly intelligent, highly sensitive, highly reactive horse as an equine version of a trauma survivor. I don't see myself as beautiful but I do as an artist appreciate beauty and am highly sensitive to my environment. I have a trauma history due to severe domestic violence and child abuse in the home I grew up in. I can relate to not being able to let go of the trauma at times to enjoy the good that is before me. I know why-- the trauma burns those memories deep into a person/animals brain to help them survive. Poor Boomerang would rather starve then take a chance on being caught and go thru again whatever it is she's been thru. Even if this time the being 'caught' is for her to get the necessary care she needs.

I am finding it easy to feel compassion for her. I am finding it easy to be patient (even though I do remember the horse she was before that would let me just walk up to her and put on a stupid halter!!! I didn't abuse her!!) But I understand why trust at this point needs to be earned ever so slowly. That's okay. She is here to stay with me and I can go slow for her. I am also reminding myself as I am gentle with her that I can do the same for myself when my trauma history rears its ugly head which it does at the most in opportune times!

Open Hands by Sue Steiner

Rarely can you get to where you need to go with brute force as well as you can with understanding and compassion. So if we as people learn those lessons first by applying those principles to hurt and starving animals maybe one day we can do it for each other!

Take care!

Sue Steiner

equine and animal artist