Working with Josie

The focus has been so much on Rio lately, that I haven't given Josie much time. So today, when the sun popped out this afternoon I figured it was the perfect time to bring her out all by her li'l self and work with her.

She has never had to stand tied, and although I can lead her no problem, and we have ponied her, so that she knows a fair bit about giving to pressure, standing tied is a whole 'nother deal.
My goal today: First lesson in standing tied (without actually tying her); pick up and clean all 4 feet in a new environment, and start her circling around me on the lead as a prelude to learning about longeing.
It only took a few minutes to get her going around me both ways on the lead line so we headed over to the hitching rail.
I figured she'd have an opinion about the hitching rail. It took a moment or two though, at first she just stood there....

Then thought about leaving.....

and thought a little harder about leaving.....

I let the slack run as she goes backwards.

Once she had settled, I rewarded her with some grazing, so nice to see the grass in January!

I noticed a branch that had fallen from the tree so I thought this would be a good opportunity to do some sacking out.

 I picked it up, showed it to her, and led her around as I carried it and waved it around, also I dragged it behind me as I led her. It didn't bother her a lot, in fact she was soon stepping on it as we went.

I was able to pet her all over with it, and let it lay on her back as I got her to walk around me.
I'm pretty happy with the mind on this filly; she learns fast, doesn't get into fits about things, and she sure is easy on the eyes!