Saturday, July 19, 2008

I found the town home I would love to move into by the barn. One of the trainers had a housewarming and I just LOVE her place. Of course, the excellent painting scheme they had really made it desirable. Would I want to travel 70 miles round trip each day but yet be less than 10 minutes from the barn . . .

I left the pups at the barn while I visited and then came back to ride. I let them run around as I worked Josie in the round pen. Today I decided to get her use to the saddle bags. Well, to get to the punch line it didn't go as well as planned. I sacked her out with them which she accepted pretty well. Then tied them on. She was fine at the walk when asked to trot she took a step or two and then took off galloping. She wasn't bucking - was that a good sign? She wouldn't listen to whoa so I got in front of her allowing her stopping room, put up my hands and in my macho voice said WHOA! She braked like an ABS system and stopped. Thank goodness! She was nervous but stood while I quickly and quietly (well, except for repeating the phrase "I am sorry I am so stupid" over and over) took the saddle bags off. I sacked her with them again and put them down and worked her a couple of minutes. I mounted up and we wandered around the outdoor. She has discovered she would rather go to her pasture friends so we have been working on no, I would rather you go where I tell you. This is natural so we just have to keep working at it. She knows where the gate is in the updoor and does some unique evasions that I have to figure out how to work through. Getting her in front of my leg is my best option.

The dogs are not bothering her at all and they so love being around and wandering with us. I feel like a kid again, back at the farm having the afternoon to play with my animals.