It's really frustrating not having the horses close and being able to work with them everyday. Spirit is really backsliding in a couple areas. Lately, I've been really doubting myself...can I really do this? Can I take this scared, "broken" horse and teach her enough to be safe on the ground and under saddle? Intellectually, I know I can. I've gotten her this far. Getting a hand on her was the biggest step. But, in my heart...I just don't know. Hopefully, my doubtfullness will go away once she's down here and I can actually work with her more than once a week. I think a lot of what I'm feeling is just frustration--we weren't "clicking" quite right when I was working her. She still trusts me more than anyone, but there was something missing. <shrug> We'll see what happens when she gets to Parker...
5-29-00 Got to play with Spirit today :-) My plan for today was to start sacking her out so she would be better prepared to trailer this weekend. She led to the round pen just fine, and we started playing with a blue tarp. It went over her back, flapped in her face, on the ground to walk over, and hanging on the rail. She did well, only deciding to "leave" a couple times. I also worked on her back legs. I can get my hands all over, all the way down to the ground. If I ask her to pick up her foot, she'll pick it up for a couple seconds, and then put it back down. Not a bad first start :-) It was really hot (90's) so we didn't do much more than that. She led back to her pen okay--just getting in front of me a little bit. We would stop, back, wait and then start walking again. She was hungry and it was dinner time, but she needs to figure out that what I say goes ;-)
6-4-00 Spirit and Shaman came down to Parker today (Springer came seperatly yesterday) Jeanette has a really open three horse slant, and we put Shaman in the first slot. Spirit loaded on the second try, and we left her loose in the back two slots (we tied back the dividers). Spirit loaded *much* easier than I anticipated. She walked up tp the trailer and stopped the first time. Didn't pull back or anything. The second time, Jeanette just walked behind her, and Spirit hopped right in, then turned and looked at me over her shoulder. Didn't even think about backing out. At least loading is one thing I don't have to teach this horse!! The girls trailered fine down to Parker, offloaded uneventfully, and Spirit walked next to Shaman into her new round pen set up in my field (pictures soon--just have to get the film developed). Overall, a pretty good day :-)
6-5-00 Didn't do much with Spirit today, I want her to get settled before I really begin working her. I just practiced leading from both sides and asking her to come to me--just the basics. The only new thing I introduced was trotting in hand, which she did no problems at all!! She stayed matched to my speed without any reminders at all. Didn't think it would be that easy :-) I also made her stand next to me while I was talking to the barn manager, Cecil. I've got to get her used to people, and won't allow her to be on the other side of the pen when she can be getting desensitized right next to me ;-) Tomorrow, I'll start working her in the round pen, and if she's good, I'll turn her out on the field. We'll see what happens...
6-6-00 Made a bit of mistake today...but I'm getting ahead of myself. Today Spirit was really good. I worked her saddled and in the bridle. She learned how to give to the bit really well. She's got a very nice soft mouth. We took lots of breaks becasue it was hot, and just left her saddled--she didn't have a single problem with that :-) She was doing just *so* well, I got a wee bit cocky. I got up in the saddle, from the ground. She was really good, and didn't move. I asked for her head...she gave to the bit and brought her head to my knee. Then took off bucking. I lasted my eight seconds, then came off. <sigh> We worked on ground stuff for a little while more, and then quit. I let her rest, then caught up Springer and Shaman. Fed them thier grain and turned Spirit out on the pasture. I left her out there for maybe an hour, going out maybe every ten minutes to catch her. I didn't have any problems :-) She was a good girl :-)
6-7-00 We went back to the baby stuff today. I made sure that my *basics* were still solid after yesterdays mistake. Spirit followed me and came to me like she always does. Kept it short and sweet, and gave Spirit her grain.
6-8-00 I turned Spirit out with Springer in the morning in her brand-new leather-crown Hamilton halter. I caught her once just so she know I was "in charge" and made sure she and Springer would get along before leaving. When I came back about 4-5 hours later, I grained Springer, grained Shaman, and Spirit presented herself to me to be caught! Wahoo!! Work was more of the baby stuff--leading, grooming and the like. Today is the first time I've asked Spirit to follow me without a lead rope and she kept herself in the leading position! She was right by my right elbow the whole time--through turns, backing up and stopping :-) I introduced flyspray to Spirit--she was a good girl! Stood perfectly still, no fussing at all. I also brushed out her tail, today, too, which is another new thing. It was no big deal, which is just great.
6-9-00 I turned Spirit out with Springer again, but for most of the day. Still, no problem catching her. The round pen work really pays off! I'm a little worried about turning Spirit out with Shaman--Shaman can be such a trouble maker. If one of them even thinks about not coming to me, the other one will feed off it, and I'll end up with my little "herd" racing around the pasture. <sigh> Hopefully, sensible Springer will keep that from happening.
6-11-00 Well, today Spirit went out with Shaman and Springer. I was planning on bringing her in for the night, but I went out with an old friend and totally lost track of time! When I rememebered my little "plan" it was midnight, and way too dark to go try and catch horses...
