Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Was it something in the air? Was it the continuing coldness? Josie was a little tightly wound tonight. Ground manners are coming along. I didn't have to fend off any nibbles tonight. Must remain consistant. She did do a little pawing. She is trying to train me just like the Jacks do. I am the boss mare, I am the pack leader, I AM! No matter what they think.

I walked Josie around the arena. She was very concerned about the jacket draped over the chair. You can tell she has matured. Instead of just walking up and checking something out she is using a little more caution. I scratched and rubbed her withers, telling her she was a good brave girl and waiting less she explode. She did move the jacket which caused her to start a bit but nothing big. She was also concerned about a horse eating behind the wall. Where did this nervous Nelly come from?

I tried going around a few more times and decided since I had the arena to myself to let her blow off some steam and see if that helped. She gave a few bucks after trotting around. I adjusted the saddle as it has moved forward. She tolerated this and just lifted a warming hind leg. I do not "cinch" her up. I do it gradually but she likes to have her say. I am thinking maybe she should be called Sassy but there is already one. I'll stick with Mare when she does her naughty things. She likes to have the last word/action. If she has nipped at me and is corrected she nips again very lightly. Mare!

I trotted, working on forward and back within the gait and we had a nice right lead canter depart. She just wasn't her usualy self so after a bit of work, I dismounted and gave scratches and rock candy for good work. She was just a titch damp and it was barely 2 degrees outside so on with the cooler and practice of being tied in the crossties. NO! Don't paw. Wyatt trembling and wanting to sit in my lap. The other kid is being naughty and it scares me . . .

I cannot wait for Spring. I want to ride outside without sliding around or freezing my fingers off.