I have mentioned in various previous posts how 'Rose' does not deal with having her rug on. She is fine inside the stable and reasonably OK with it on in the yard but as soon as she is let back into the field she charges off in wild panic and gets herself into a right state. Or she completely refuses to move away from the gate. She spends all day standing right next to the gate, as though the rug is somehow electrocuting her should she step outside a certain range ...
This gave me and 'Jane' some headache, especially with the cold weather arriving. 'Rose' is not one to keep weight well. It took some time for her to put on weight when she arrived at 'Buttercup Farm'.
'Jane' and I had various thoughts with regards to the reasons behind 'Rose's fears but we had not managed to come up with a satisfactory solution. As a last resort, 'Jane' decided to employ the services of a local animal psychic. Yes indeed, you read it correctly: an animal psychic.
I myself am open-minded in these matters, having in my personal life had various experiences which cannot be explained with science (or at least not yet). Therefore I remain open minded, without an opinion on the matter.
In preparation for the meeting with the psychic, 'Jane' had sent her some photographs of 'Rose'. I took those photographs a while ago, showing 'Rose' with and without rug. Apparently, the psychic lady has the ability of communicating with animals over distance as well as in 'person'.
It has already been a difficult time for 'Rose' lately - we think she must have known that 'Jane' was looking for a new home for her. Suddenly 'Rose' began having problems with her foot and this has been going on for many weeks, in various stages of recovery.
When the psychic lady arrived 'Jane' spent some time talking to her prior to both going to see 'Rose'. I remained in the background, not wanting to interfere.
At some point we all met in the stable with 'Rose' and were discussing her history - the little we knew - and the current state of affairs. The psychic also wanted to know mine and 'Jane' roles in 'Rose's life.
Oddly enough, while we were listening to what the lady had to say, 'Rose' was hide her head under my arm. She did this several times as if to find some comfort. This rather puzzled me considering that the two of us weren't really 'getting' on recently (weirdly enough, ever since I had decided to take on 'Mr F', 'Rose' became more and more grumpy with me. I am really trying not to humanize their behaviour but I can't help noticing there being some form of 'disappointment').
Much of what the psychic lady said was what 'Jane' and I had thought all along but where unable to find a solution for. The lady did point out some rather interesting details though:
- - 'Rose' emotional state is that of a very young child - meaning that she is very jealous and desperately wanting attention and reassurance. She wants to belong.
- - 'Rose' is afraid of moving on - she appears to have known that 'Jane' was trying to find a new home for her and that is why she developed a poorly foot. Mental problems often display themselves physically.
- She also said that 'Rose' would be more comfortable to be in a smaller field if she has to wear the rug. Not sure why ...
The psychic lady did however not have a solution for the rug problem. We explained to her that we think it may have to do with the fact that 'Rose' used to have a warming blanket before each race. She hated racing (I understand that she sometimes even refused to get out of the box) and perhaps there is still this connection for her that rug = racing.
The psychic lady said she would try and 'talk' to 'Rose' later on that day (remotely).
Whether one believes into these things or not, it cannot be ignored that the next day 'Rose' was in the field, with her rug on and it was as if she never had a problem with it in the first place!
Only 'Jane' and I have seen and dealt with 'Rose' when she had one of her rug panic attacks. Seeing her standing quietly bearing the 'mental' weight of her rug was a major improvement!
If 'Rose' will continue to keep her calm with the rug is yet to be found out. So far so good!
A calm 'PL' with rug!
'Madame' keeping an eye everything - although 'PL' is not wanting to share the hay!
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