Friday, June 27, 2008

The big day is finally here and it is hot. Have I said lately how much I love Josie? She walked onto the trailer allowing me to stay behind so I could put the butt bar up. I leave with my precious cargo two in front in the kennel and one behind in the trailer. I am getting this goose neck thing down pat.

I had to stop and get gas. A little tricky but I managed it. There was a car in front of me and it sat there and sat there. I started asking people if it was theirs. Finally they go in the back and one of the employees owned it. WHY is it blocking the pumps I wonder to self. I apologize but say I am a rookie and if she could move it it would make things safer for all concerned. I would hate to take out a pump or a vehicle trying to back the behemoth up. Back on the road again and comfortably on schedule.

I had forgotten the directions but thankfully I had written them down and remembered the numbers of the county roads. Plus, I had my trusty map. We made it and I had plenty of time to get Josie settled and relax before my ride time of 3:15. I arrived at around noon. I get Josie unloaded and she is looking around checking things out. P has me put her in a round pen. I get the pups out and watered. Josie was being attacked by bugs so I sprayed her down. A little worried about her kneeling down to eat grass on the outside of the round pen. She wants nothing to do with hay.

M gets finished with her ride and comes out. I ask if it is all right to put Josie in the grass paddock that she would settle better. No problem but we both find out later barn owner was saving that grass - opps! So back to the round pen she goes. The place is wooded and Josie is getting rambunctious so I decide to put her in a stall then I can watch and keep an eye on her.

We get ready in the stall which was something we hadn't done before. Usually it is straight on the hitching post or cross ties. She is happy looking around and eating. Time for my ride. I go in at 3:05 and lead her around in both directions. She is looking and not her normal self which I had expected. I get on and start to walk her around she doesn't want to be by the wall. She doesn't want to walk close to the opening. The lesson starts before I (we) get to warm up but okay I will try to deal. C talks about position and why's and where's. He is a good instructor. I know a lot of what he is saying and continue to listen. He then pulls out the lunge line. Hmmmmmmmm not liking this. I have lunged Josie two or three times. We usually use the round pen. This summer I had planned to start lunging her in side reins now that she is stronger. So here we are both looking at the lunge line like it is a snake and we are waiting for it to attack. I finally get where I can listen, stare at the lunge and be effective in the saddle. Obviously, I shouldn't be staring at the lunge but am a bit fixated. C has us hug with calves in rhythm to the horse's rib cage swing. I can do this. C then asks if I would be okay without the stirrups. Knowing Josie in the western saddle she won't move if my feet aren't in the stirrups. English not so sure but okay, I can do this, too. We put the irons and stirrup leathers over her withers and we are walking on and then trotting. All is going well and then the storm breaks - lots of rain and is that, yes, it is thunder.

I tense up, Josie head comes up. I relax and we start walking again. Then it dawns on me my dogs are in the kennel underneath trees outside in this storm. I say, I have to get my dogs, fly out of the saddle and ask Cleon to hold my horse. I can run amazingly fast in my tall boots. Wy and Pix are huddled together in the kennel looking at me forlornly and with a bit of you suck as I hurry to open the kennel and rush all into the lounge. At this point they want nothing to do with the kennel and run around the tack room disobeying my "kennel" command. M comes in and starts running after the pups. That ain't going to work. Wy loves a good chase me and I'll chase you. Time is clicking so I pick them up trying not to get them on my lovely white shirt and stuff them into the kennel and run back to the arena to retrieve my horse and continue my lesson. I am apologizing profusely.

We do a bit more and finish on a good note. I am very proud of Josie but disappointed that I could not show off what a good team she and I are. I am holding judgement until tomorrow. C said we would be doing more.

We hang out a bit longer waiting for the storm to pass. I sure as heck don't want to drive a goose neck in this!

Josie loads like a star. We head back to the barn. I am already driving better and cannot wait until tomorrow. I am swelling with happiness as I take account that I have successfully trailer my horse by myself and attended my second clinic and Josie's first. Life IS good!

Josie is most happy to be home and feels she deserves more snacks which she gets. The pups and I get things settled for the next day and go home for a nice cold Miller or two or three. Need to clean gear and ready for the Clinic Day Two.