THE FIRST FEW DAYS
2-21-00� Brought "the mare" home.� She doesn't have a name yet.� I really want to get to know her first.� We picked up and unloaded in the dark, so I didn't get any chance to really start working with her.� It looks like it's going to take awhile, though.� I can only get about 8 feet from her before she leaves.� She'll live in the round pen until she's leading and I can catch her (fairly) easily.� Here are some more pictures I took before I brought her home.
(Click to Enlarge Pictures)
2-22-00� Began working with her.� It's been a long day.� I've been using the "John Lyons" method, and it's been working fairly well.� I can get right up next to her, and she won't move.� Can't touch her yet though.� � Hopefully that will come tomorrow.

2-23-00� Wahoo!!� Today was a good day.� I can touch her, I can halter her, and she's even leading in the round pen a little bit.� She's still really wary, but at least she's trying to figure out what I want.� Maybe she's even beginning to understand that I won't hurt her like the other humans she's known have.� I took some more pictures of her today--this mare is my most photographed horse!!
(Click to Enlarge Pictures)
2-25-00� Gave her yesterday off, she was such a good girl the day before.� Today was trying, though.� She was leading so well in the round pen, I thought maybe I could lead her the 20 feet out of her home and into the larger round pen with the sand footing.� BIG mistake.� � I should have known better.� She took off after about 10 seconds, running to the other end of the property (luckally, everything is fenced).� We got her caught in the pen at the end of the arena, and after about 10 minutes, I could catch her in that pen.� She was leading well in the pen, but I wasn't about to try to lead her back to the round pen.� So, I saddled up Springer (who does anything but is really an eventer) in a western saddle, and we ponied her back to the round pen.� Well, maybe *drug* is more accurate .� We practiced leading and stopping with "Ho" for another 10 minutes, and then called it a day.� Learned a few things though--never overestimate the progress I've made.....And that the mare has a canter to die for!!� I can't wait to ride it!!
Questions?� Comments?� Just want to talk?� Email me!!
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