Saturday, September 15, 2007

Day two of having Josie home. I arrived a bit late to prepare for our first trail ride. I have been trying different routes and today's was not a good way. Josie had a bite behind her right wither about 8 inches down. Slightly swollen but not bad - thank goodness. I got her saddled up and went to the upper outdoor arena. I walked her around both directions. She was curious but not frightened about the black tarp billowing in the wind above the cement walls. I mounted and she took off at the walk. I got her stopped and convinced her she needed to do her flexing on both sides. We walked around and I did some trotting. On the left rein she wanted to head to the gate. I stuck to my guns and got her turning - really need to crank that right leg forward and then ask with the reins. She is so testing me! Lisa came up and said something to the effect of how brave I was being. It is funny but with Josie nothing is impossible. I have a great sense of trust in her. She is just curious about things not frightened. I haven't had that mentality in a horse in way too long. I am so reminded of my Stawberry and Dainty Bun of my youth. I so deserve a horse like her. I am feeling extremely blessed. A part of me is way worried as it could be too good to be true but I feel I am due also. Believe me I have been counting my blessed with the big guy!

So off to trail ride we go. She is fine but crowding the horse ahead of her a bit. I work at keeping her at least a horse length behind and believe me it is work. She negotiated the train tracks with no problem. We then came across the little boat and she was curious but kept stepping. At the water crossing she just wanted to drink. She has never seen big water and was curious of the lake itself. She relaxed a bit more when we got to the woods- familiar surroundings. She did spook a bit when one of the horses stumbled but I did very well as soon as my hands went up for buck prevention I willed myself to put them down. We went around one time and then went again on a different route which took us up a pretty good hill. We then encountered mud - apparently she is not a mudder but we got through. Coming back through the water crossing is very convenient as their legs get cleaned of the mud. She did spot one rock that caused her to cock her head but she just kept going. What a wonderful girl!

I untacked her, gave her a good brushing and put her in her paddock for a bit. Then, 3:30 came around and it was time for her first outing. Janet led her out to the grass pasture and off she walked toward the herd. A few of them came to her and let her know where she stood. She was excellent as she walked out and when confronted she moved off tucking her tail. Good signs of submission. She got pushed around a bit and we laughed at how with all that room a horse tends to go to a corner. J said it right when she said actually that is what we teach them to do. The boss mare cut her out and seems to like her which is a good thing. Josie then tired of all of it and after never even taking a bite of grass came over to the dry lot to sniff her new friends dung.

Left her out for awhile and then caught her before the others came up. She is like grain. She gets a quarter scoop twice a day. I am silently hoping she doesn't get too full of herself on it. Time will tell. She is getting fitter and fitter. She is starting to get a bit of a shine even though she is blowing her summer coat. I took her up to the big barn to wash her tail. She handled that relatively well. Picking it out was another story. She kept moving back and forth. It was subtle but slightly annoying. I don't want to get after her so early but she does need to stand still in the cross ties. I have decided to let her mane be long for the winter. I may even it up a bit but feel she needs the protection.

I have had two VERY tired pups over the course of the past couple of days. I think Wyatt is very happy we have a horse again. Pix didn't really get to experience horse ownership what with my few visits to PJ.

I left at almost dark and tried a different way home. Did a big duh - 5 takes you to Eden Prairie- HELLO?!?!