Friday, September 14, 2007

The day has FINALLY arrived, I get my little girl. Warren and I met up at 10:00 a.m. to drive to Morton to pick up Josie. I asked if I could bring my pups so I didnt' have to worry about hurrying back. I could tell he might not have wanted to but he said yes. My motto is it never hurts to ask.

After a forever ride out, we were there. Tim went and got her. I had made a gift bucket, filled with note cards I stamped, a jelly scrub brush, vet wrap, Bag Balm and a halter and lead for Stacey in appreciation for giving Josie such a good start. i got to use my new stamp "It isn't the destinatin but the journey".

Back to Josie, she loaded with the lead rope over her neck. It took Tim two tries, the second with some twirling of the lead rope.

We got to Cross Creek earlier than they were expecting us. I misunderstood which paddock she was to be in. The paddock needed some week eating. Josie is such a good girl. She got to meet some of her new friends over the fence which is the best for all concerned. I then saddled her up after moving into my locker. I took her up to the indoor arena and walked her around, both directions. She was curious of the mirror but didn't mind anything else. That's my girl! I let her go up to the mirror and she tried to touch noses but at the level she had her head she was mystified that there was no nose to touch. She then put her head up higher and touched the glass. It was too funny. I then got on, leaving the reins on her neck as S had instructed. She immediately walked off and wouldn't stop . . . my first thought was uh oh but I let her go a bit. Very nice stepping out walk and then brought her to an iffy halt. She would just step forward slowly one foot at a time. I finally got her to stand still and had her flex to the left and very slowly to the right. She had her Strangles vaccine two days before and was a bit stiff. She also had a snooty nose. She didn't like me picking at it. I will just keep working on that. I had also with Warren's help given her the Panacur worming paste. I am planning on giving her apple sauce through a syringe to help with worming time. She is pretty non-plussed about things. One of the things I LOVE bout her.

So back to my first ride at CC, she, once I sat back would halt very well. We started trotting and it was quick trot so I posted, next thing I know we have stepped into a right lead canter. OUR FIRST CANTER!!! Yahooooooo! She has a very nice canter. We then went to the left and I asked for the canter from a posting trot and what do you know I got it. Have I said lately how much I love my little girl?? She has quite a whoa on her and I really need to sit back. I then asked for a right lead canter and she kept giving me the left - darn it. I didn't want to ride her too much so I decided to take a rain check on it. We walked for a while and then I dismounted. Not thinking I put my helmet on the saddle horn - she did not like that! I settled her down - okay she settled down when I said whoa, got the helmet off, let her smell it and then put it over the saddle and hit the saddle a bit. She was okay with that. We are training each other.

I made arrangements to trail ride with the barn manager, Janet, for the next day. We are off to a great start.