Leave Early to See My Pony?

My boy & all his gear!

You ask a girl whose horse is in training if she wants to leave early from work and expect to hear no? Psh. I was out before they said goodbye. Things at my new job are going great, which is great because how the hell else would I be able to pay for this situation I'm in.

I have to start by saying that every adventure I go on with Ms. Kate is always a good one. Whether it's a trip to a xcountry show (or whatever you call it) and I get to play groom or a photographer at a clinic who plays trailer guru and almost loses a finger, or finally getting to see the Equine Facility at Tufts. From Pinkberry, to Taco Bell, to shot glasses of lemonade that we paid way too much for... I can never complain. No matter how bad/good the situation, K and I always end on a good note and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I went with her to get Lu from Tufts yesterday and was amazed at the different people who worked there. Tacked up the Princess and headed out to their round pen (jealousy struck - not that I'd be able to do any real work in it, it's still a round pen). Lu did some of her famous dance moves and sometimes looked great. I got to sneak a peak at the bone scans and I actually followed along surprisingly well. Then I got to watch her ultrasound which was even cooler. The best part was that there were students there so the vet taking the ultrasound explained everything which made it easier to understand for me. After figuring out a diagnosis it was trailer loading time. It may have taken 40 minutes but not once did this horse throw herself backwards again the line and freak out with pressure on her face. I sent her up on the trailer a few times to mommy holding a grain bucket and she'd settle in, but not long enough for me to put the butt-bar up. The vet that had been working with K came out with a lunge whip and I had to try and be nice saying, "Please don't." Lu's nose flared and she got a little worked up on the line but she came back down. I couldn't figure out what the issue was with her staying on the trailer. I walked her to the round pen and did some slow sending and backing exercises - she dropped her head and let me rub her face and ears, lowered her eyes past my belt which made me feel more relaxed. She didn't step on me and placed her feet where I asked. I walked back out towards the trailer and she started to dance again and step on me. About 10 minutes went by and I walked her back to the round pen and she relaxed again and stepped off my hand. Pavement? Bad. Dirt? Good. Finally we backed a trailer into an area with dirt and after 40 minutes on the pavement, she backed up and walked right on the trailer... I wanted to smack myself...

Today K came with me to go see CB work with Brantley. They let me out of work early so I got to go home and change first then stopped to clean stalls. Picked K up at her house and lucky me she brought her camera (I have to depend on Dad to load pictures from his camera I took and he's been working like crazy so I haven't wanted to bother him about it). She witnessed CB laying Brantley down which he did almost like a pro (even with a bit in his mouth). Then was introduced to his pack-mule outfit. After sending him around for 10 minutes or so, CB hooked up his long-lines. This was the first time B had his outfit on while being long-lined and it went better than expected (as CB always says). He had a few freak-outs but came down from them and back into work.

I was really impressed with B and his lack of shaking. When he gets worked up and either freezes or comes to a halt, this horse's body looks like he has hypothermia. The poor guy more than quivers, he convulses in fear and just stands there waiting for the next "punishment". I don't think I saw him once shake. When CB was sending him around and he picked up a lope, any time he stepped in front of him to send out his shoulders, usually B would bolt over and take off (especially with all his gear). Instead, he slowed, thought, crossed over his front, then trotted off back into a lope. It was great to see my horse thinking and having a friend there to share it with. I have a really hard time explaining to people what's going on if they don't see it. I don't ask CB a lot of questions because he explains what he is doing and why he is doing it so well. It also makes a lot of sense too if you really watch the horse. He's not too far from his first ride but he's not close either. I want to bring him home next week but I'm already this invested... May as well just keep it going while I still can!

K sent me some pictures of today - Hope you Enjoy! Check out her pictures from Tufts! 

LUCY & KATE

Preparing for a lay down.

A little pressure here, a little pressure there.

Down he goes.

Rock a foot back and forth.

Good pony.

CB gave B a chance to sit up and think then asked him to lay back down.

Brantley obliged.

Take two.

Other side.

This is usually his good side.

Tried to get up again, CB gave a little pressure but not enough to start a fight.

Easy down again.

Take a breather. 

Brantley in his pack-mule outfit.

Long-lining with gear.

Wasn't a huge fan!

But he did well in the end.

Thanks Kate for the pictures!