Session 3

 We made good progress today.  I started with a quick brushing with a softer brush, pretty sure that suited her better. Then flag work- just more of the same but she didn't try to bite the flag this time! I was able to pet her under her belly with it too. There was a couple of times when she got a bit cranky so I had to nip that behavior in the bud. She doesn't like getting in trouble, so she got over that attitude quickly.

I used the blue rope on her front feet again only this time I asked her to pick them up. She did, but slammed them down instead of holding them, but she is getting the idea. One day at a time. 

Then I went to putting the blue rope around her cinch area,   wanting to see if she was going to object to that. 

Using the rope without it being actually looped around her, if there was a wreck I would only have to let go and it would fall off. 

Looped, left side

Looped. right side

Rally is more wary on her right side, so I was pretty happy with how well she handled things on the right today. 

For the back feet, I opted to use my lariat. I was a little concerned that it might not be easy to remove it though. 

I set a loop under her belly and led her forward, then picked up the slack when she stepped into the loop. 

I was actually surprised that she didn't try to kick the daylights out of it when I put pressure on her foot to get her to step forward. 

To remove the rope, I stood beside her facing back, and just reached down and loosened the rope so she could just step out of it- did that on both sides. Good girl, Rally! 

After doing the rope work with her feet, I spent some time running my hand down her shoulder to her legs, I had ahold of her halter cheek piece in case she got a little cranky. She did think about it twice, but a good growl at her changed her mind. I was able to quickly run my hand lightly below the knees on both legs. She loves to be praised, so she gets lots of lovin' every time she does something right. She was a little worried when I ran my hand under her belly, but that will come too. 

Some more news about her- I did cancel sending her out for 2 months to be bred to Sak Em in Cash, the palomino stud (sorry, Gun Diva!) Instead, we are breeding her to Scooter- remember him? Coyote Belle's buckskin son sired by Root Beers Boots, a top barrel and working cowhorse sire in Canada. Scooter is only 45 minutes away and I can pick her up as soon as he is done covering her. I am pretty excited for that cross, so awesome to get some of Belle's genetics back into my program. 

Tomorrow- we haul Gussie to Leo!