Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Pixie is doing well. Giving her the pill in mash potatoes is working well. She isn't into peanut butter like Wyatt. Wyatt keeps his distance when I hot pack little Pix. He would have been lying on the floor if he would have gone through what Pix did. I forgot to mention but luckily she didn't have to be put under to do what they needed to do. I also received high praise for my surgical prep (shaving).

I went to get Josie by myself. The pups have taken to browsing the extensive manure selection in the dry lot - not good. I am not sure if Josie was coming in for water or if she heard/saw/smelled me. She met me half way. The snow is a lot easier to trudge through than the mud. She had a bite mark on her right side of her chest that I will need to keep an eye on. It must have been fresh but old enough to swell a bit.

As long as the arena wasn't too busy, I had a game plan for tonight's ride. Turns out Josie decided how it was going to be. At least she gave me something I could work with. She kept sliding into the canter, instead of fighting her, I went with it. Once she realized I wasn't fighting her she settled back to a trot. I find I have a good feeling for what she needs. We did circles and went large around the arena. I am now asking for canter departs where it is dictated in the tests. She floating right into the left lead. We circled and went large before transitioning to the trot. Big hugs - she did so well. To make sure I asked again and got it - definitely skill not luck.

I hope to get a chance to run through the tests a few times before the schooling show but am doing bits and pieces when I can.

The pups and I took her back to her turnout. Wyatt was walking on three legs - it had gotten quite chilly. Pix just runs faster - maybe not setting her feet on the ground but for an instance makes it better.

Drove back down to unload our gear and one last chance for romance for the pups. Josie came a runnin' When she does that she definitely gets the rest of the carrots and anything else I can rummage from my pockets. My heart is very happy.