Back to work

 

Sunset, and a lovely end to Canada day, which I spent relaxing on the couch, watching the Ponoka Stampede on the Cowboy Channel. The recent rains have given us cool mornings, so this morning I worked Rally, and yesterday I worked Patsy. 

This was the first time I asked her to step onto and over the "bridge".  She just is so cool about everything.  I also asked her to follow me into the trailer- she had only self loaded at liberty (there was Food! in there! ) so asking her to step in was a whole different deal. 

Of course it helped that there was a bucket of oats in there, she is quite food motivated at this point.  She is super easy to work with.

I had to take a break from working with their feet; I have had a nasty cold for a couple of weeks and bending over sends me into a coughing fit. Getting better now, so feet are going back on the roster for both her and Rally. 

Today was Rally's turn, and smart girl that she is, she picked up where we left off. My goal today was to longe her over the bridge instead of asking her to come to me in front of her. One thing about Rally, if she thinks she is going to get in trouble she either shuts down or has an exaggerated reaction, so the key to her is taking my time, staying soft and giving timely releases so she understands when she gets it right. Also, she loves to get praised and loved on. 

Really pleased that she offered this right away. 

I had set up the L again too, and asked her to walk through it. A couple times, then I dropped the rope and she ground tied while I stepped back for a photo. 

Good girl, Rally. Next up will be backing through the L in hand.

Then it was over to the trailer for her rest and snack of oats. I am trying to get her to look forward to time spent at the trailer; whereas before she was giving it the stink eye she is now willing to walk up to it and rest. Baby steps for now. 

The other thing I just did was open a panel of the round pen and back the trailer to it, Will have to see how her reactions are and then build on getting her to step in. As I have said before, I am in no hurry, building trust and willingness in this mare is more important than having her conform to my agenda. That being said, trailer loading is super important and high on the list of must haves with her. How I wish I could have had her as a weanling! 

I found this poem on a page I just started following on Fb. If anyone is interested, check out Patrick T Muldoon.