Valentine's Day

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROXIE!

Roxie is my rottie mix who lives with my Mom and brothers. She turned 13... Or 14 today.
No, I don't remember because honestly I never dreamed she would've lasted this long.
She still runs to the door every time I come over and I'm still the only one she gives kisses too.
Love her!

So lots of stuff the last couple of days and hopefully I remember it all. Finally brought Kate a bareback pad to use on Ms. LuLu but Chevy got all excited and wanted to try it out first. A little big for him though! That's alright, made for a cute photo. I've been working with Brantley again, slow easy stuff! Lateral flexion with the rope halter (earlier post) as well as working on sending him around me without being in the center of the circle. I knew not being able to see me and give me both eyes would freak him out but he relaxed because I was still on the side of him. Enough for one eye. He kept disengaging in the beginning but finally got it.

Yesterday our eventing friend Cassie came for a visit. She owns two ponies, one being an OTTB (my favorite) named Wind. She's just starting a blog so check it out! CLICK ME! Anyway, so she came for a visit and I pulled Brantley out and we made our way over to the indoor. We had three others riding in the ring which is great for B to be around. I have a lot of control on the ground with him but I made sure that everyone was comfortable with me working him in there (I was there first anyway :P). He was a little wigged out when horses came up from behind him but after a few times he finally dropped his head and relaxed. We did some walk, trot transitions and again worked on him moving forward without me on the drive line. Finally, after everyone left, I pulled out two lounge lines, hooked him up with his rope halter and tested his feelings about long-lining. HA! Definitely something he had never done before... FREEEEAKKK OOOUUUTTT!

I sent him around in the a circle with the inside line a bit shorter and the outside line loose but laying on his wither. I wasn't going to stick him with lines on either side just yet. When I tried to toss the outside line down his back, I couldn't do it. This it what happens when you're used to one type of a lead like my heavy Clinton Anderson leads and you're basic Lounge Line. I like a heavier lead, even thick cotton versus flat cotton, because there's more feel and it's easier to maneuver versus trying to throw a lighter more "flimsy" line. (Everyone is different though!)

I finally got the both lines on either side and right away he sat on his butt and panicked not knowing where to go. I put pressure evenly on both sides and when he relaxed for a split second I released and let him disengage and relax. I didn't move, I didn't pat him, the release was enough of a reward, and we started again. 

This was our final product: (Thank you to Cassie who recorded it for me) - Sorry about the quality, we used my phone. I really should get a camera!

Afterwards I tacked up Pretty and helped Cassie with Kid... It was an interesting ride... Kid hates Randi's (a young girl at the barn) horse Ben... Like really hates. I ended up getting on him and playing crazy cowgirl. It's hard to get after a horse that you don't know either the horse or the owner. Kudos to Cassie for getting on though! I think we ended on a good note. Maybe she'll come back for more! HA!

Lucy <3's Brantley

By the way... 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!