August 3, 2023 •Gentle Spirit Horses Rescue
Meet Daisy, a 10-yr-old, 14 hand tall Quarter Horse mare and her trainer, Erynn Parrish of The Cowgirl Way Equine near Rapid City, SD. #ShowdownTeamDaisy is competing in the Challenge Division of the 2023 Dakota Showdown Horse Trainer Challenge
Daisy, a stunning 10-year-old Quarter Horse mare, found herself in the care of Happy Tails Haven Horse Rescue during the harsh winter months. Standing at around 14 hands, Daisy is not only a beauty to behold but also a natural mover. Despite experiencing a challenging life, she remains eager to learn and build trust with humans.
Joining the Dakota Showdown with limited handling knowledge, Daisy embarked on a remarkable journey this spring. Initially wary of humans and reluctant to be touched, she would often be on high alert and snort frequently. However, with the patient and persistent efforts of her trainer, Erynn, Daisy has become friendlier and showcases incredible groundwork skills. From lunging to backing and standing tied, she has made tremendous progress.
While Daisy can be saddled, she displays a reactive fear response when it comes to riding. To become a riding horse, she will require substantial additional ground work, including desensitization with the saddle. It is crucial for Daisy to find an experienced adopter who can work with her and help her overcome her reactive and protective tendencies towards certain areas of her body. Although she may appear guarded, Daisy is not a mean horse; she has simply learned to associate people with pain in her past. Meeting her potential adopter before the Showdown would greatly benefit her.
Daisy is an easy keeper and gets along well with other horses. She stands for the farrier but needs frequent attention to her legs. Catching her in a large area can be a bit challenging, so she needs someone special who will invest the time, love, care, and understanding that she deserves.
About Erynn Parrish of The Cowgirl Way Equine
With over six years of training experience, Erynn Parrish enjoys working with problem horses, starting young horses, & helping owners understand how to be a leader in their partnership with horses. Her "go to" method of training is Clinton Anderson's Downunder Horsemanship methods
From Her Trainer
This special girl need someone who will understand her, and give her the best chance at succeeding in every way! If you feel like you are that person please apply to adopt her!
About Daisy's Ideal Adopter
Daisy is looking for a very experienced adopter who is willing to invest in further training or has the skills to continue to work through her reactive responses to scary things. She is an easy keeper who prefers to live out, so a pasture environment would be best, though an adopter with a regular routine including stalling at night for regular handling and relationship building could be a good thing for Daisy. Daisy needs a person who is patient, quiet, and kind but also confident and consistent.
Daisy's History
Daisy entered Happy Tails Haven Horse Rescue in the winter of 2023 due to a large scale neglect impoundment near Rapid City, South Dakota. Prior to her rescue several of her herd members died, and even with food on the property her owner would let the herd go for days without being fed and was not kind in his handling of the herd. As one of the least handled and most anxious of the herd, Daisy was not ready for adoption
Adopt Daisy at the Dakota Showdown Finale
The Dakota Showdown horses will be available for adoption under the Gentle Spirit Horses Rescue contract (or Little Hooves Miniature Horse Rescue contract for ponies KC, Diamond Dave, Belle and Tinkerbelle) to approved adopters through an online bidding process on August 12-13, 2023. The starting bid is $1200. Appointments to meet the horses you are interested in on August 12 are greatly encouraged.