• Gender: Filly
  
• Born:April 2, 2008
  
• Color: Blood Bay

• Weight as of 4/5/10: 376 kg
  
• Height as of 4/5/10

• Student: Samantha Vitale; Lesley Sun
  
• Sponsor: Dr. and Mrs. Bauer; Nancy Connolly

      I am pleased to write that pregnancy has seemed not to impede Ella’s appetite for learning; in the few weeks since last I wrote, her training has progressed smoothly. Largely due to extensive lateral work (e.g. side-passes), Ella has finally grasped the concept of “turn-on-the-haunches” and can pivot in both directions.  Additionally, she has become quite accomplished at trotting in-hand and does so in response to verbal cues.  With the assistance of Wild Horse and Burro Association President, Robin Rivello, I have recently focused my efforts on teaching Ella to “mirror” my movements; that is, she stops when I stop; she walks when I walk.  The results have been encouraging—so encouraging that I, at times, wish she was going to participate in the Ag Field Day competition!
      Despite her “condition,” Ella continues to participate in our weekly behavioral tests.  Two weeks ago, she was introduced to the duster-buster—a device which, having caused little anxiety, I have since enlisted to help me banish the ever-persistent layer of dust embedded in her coat.  On Wednesday and Friday of this past week, Dr. Ralston drew blood samples from the horses’ jugular veins for a “needle test.”  Again, Ella remained calm—she seemed far more interested in the container of pellets that we offered as a treat than in the syringe!  In the coming weeks we will be testing the horses’ reactions to new stimuli: cross-ties, barking dogs, and water. 

      As the homepage has already announced, Ella is going to be a mother!  Of course, between her rapidly-expanding belly and her steady weight gain, we started to suspect the possibility of a pregnancy a few weeks ago.  However, it wasn’t until the vet checked her on the 21^st that we discovered she was carrying a 6 to 7-month foal.  With a variable gestation length of roughly 11 months and an uncertain conception date, we can expect the foal to arrive anytime between late April and early June. It seems that the Rutgers Young Horse Teaching and Research Program has extended its cohort to include neonates!
       In general, pregnancy seems to suit Ella; her coat is shiny (if a little shaggy) and her temperament friendly.  Over the winter recess she and her herd mates were on a 24-hour turn-out routine—a situation to which she quickly became accustomed.  On January 14^th, Ella was, for a second time, visited by our farrier.  Eric was impressed by her willingness to pick up her feet—I couldn’t have been prouder!

It is difficult to believe that Ella has been at Rutgers—in comparative “domestication”—for only three months.  Since last I wrote, she has been exposed to a variety of new objects, not least of which were the electrical hair clippers (for which she had a natural curiosity).  In addition to her recent exposure to towels, cardboard placards on the ground, and jolly-balls, Ella has also resumed round-penning lessons.  Her first session was longer than I had intended, due to her reluctance to “whoa!”  Nevertheless, during the extended session she gained valuable practice; Ella now turns with agility and responds immediately to my “trot” commands.  Her voice-training also continues to improve; we routinely practice turning (both on the fore-hand and haunches), backing, and halting.  I intend to continue these sessions through the closing weeks of the semester.
            Last week, Ella was visited for the first time by the equine dentist.  Despite his "threatening" tools, she patiently stood while he floated her teeth.  Unfortunately, she was not nearly as cooperative for the farrier who visited later that day. Ella bolted successively to each corner of her stall in an attempt to avoid contact. However, her poor performance was due more to fear than to any express desire to misbehave. Eventually, she stood quietly and permitted him to trim her hooves. I count it as an area for improvement. 

Ella has made much progress since last I wrote.  Two weeks ago she had her hooves trimmed for the first time.  Although she was initially wary of the rasping tool, Ella quickly discovered that it was no more traumatizing (or pain inducing) than the hoof pick. Her overall performance earned a grade of “B+.  A few days later, Ella’s behavioral prowess was again tested. Each of the horses was put through a standardized series of exercises in our round pen (e.g. leading from left and rights sides, halting, turning, backing, etc.)  With only minimal bouts of obstinacy (e.g. threatening to kick her handler, Dr. Ralston) Ella again achieved a “B+.”  Our most recent behavioral test required the horses to walk down the “scary aisle”—named for the large, ominous box stalls lining either side—at the rear of our barn.  Ella surprised me with her bravery; she didn’t show a moment’s hesitation and earned a grade of “A.”
            As Ella’s time in “domestic life” continues, her personality seems to blossom proportionally.  Over are the days of cowering in her “safe corner” at the rear of the stall; now she waits happily by the door to be turned out.  She even appears to enjoy our sessions of “pre-school” in which we practice her basic commands.  Ella has become especially accomplished in her ability to respond to verbal commands: with no physical pressure, she will now back up in response to “back,” halt in response to “ho,” and turn on the forehand in response to “over.” Her appetite equally indicates her well-being; she has developed quite an affinity for her total-mixed-ration hay cubes. 

            It is remarkable to me the change that has occurred in Ella over the past few weeks.  On August 23^rd, she arrived at the Ryder’s Lane facility a nervous, wide-eyed filly—the epitome of “wild mustang.”  Of course, her timid disposition didn’t surprise me; even at the BLM holding facility in Ithaca, NY she was reluctant to associate with people, and remained predominately in the rear of the pen. 
           After she arrived, I worked slowly with Robin Rivello, so as not to flood Ella with novel (and terrifying!) stimuli.  Robin and I spent considerable time standing in her stall, shoulders hunched, acclimating her to our presences.  By the end of Ella’s first morning, we were able to scratch her entire left side. However, she was not as willing to expose her right side.  This was likely a result of her past handling; while in custody of the BLM, she was handled exclusively from the left. 
            It wasn’t long before we had clipped a lead rope onto her halter and began accustoming Ella to pressure. She adapted quickly and was soon flexing from the neck.  With Robin’s round-pen help, Ella next began leading—albeit slowly.  Unfortunately, she was still reluctant to expose her right side. To remedy this hang-up, Robin set up an improvised squeeze chute.  By confining Ella to the chute, we were able to work our way methodically around her entire body.  She quickly realized that back-scratches felt just as good from the right side as they did from the left, and in less than an hour she was cured of her phobia. 
            Most recently, Ella has been practicing leading—also, from both sides. She has visited the far end of the barn, though has not yet ventured into what students term the “scary” aisle, named for the dark box stalls that line both sides.  Our grooming sessions have also been getting more involved; Ella is now letting me brush her belly and lower legs. The frequent handling has benefited her personality tremendously.  She no longer cowers in the rear corner of her stall, but waits at the door, ears pricked and eyes bright, when I arrive.