Well, when I had the idea to Blog, it sounded so modern and fun. Now that I am, I tell you it is quite a responsibility. People are out there waiting for the newest news and I'm over here just having all the fun.
Riding Cloud is fun, I really look forward to working with her and finding out what she will give me next. Our first ride this series was Friday with my friend Alison. She has a 6 yr old Mustang Haflinger, who is still green, but has been under saddle since she was three. Alison and Ruby came to our house to play and we had a great time in the play yard. When I am working with someone else and their horse, I like to have one in hand to show how to do this or that. Cloud doesn't know a lot her self, however, she was a star and everything I attempted to demonstrate, Cloud did perfectly, well nearly so anyway.
So after we played we went up to get tack on and go for a ride up the street. First time on this trail for Ruby and only the second time out the driveway for Cloud, first time on the trail. Cloud did seem a bit more wary this time out, not jumpy, but just a bit more tense than the last. She was letting Ruby take the lead, and then going ahead a bit, then dropping back, etc. She was very tender on the rocks, so I got off to walk on that little bit. She is standing so nicely to mount and she is such a good size getting back on was no problem. Actually I got off 4 or 5 times on this trip, just for the practice for her, and to open gates etc. We had a really nice time. Mostly walking, she would have liked to move a bit, but Ruby and Alison chose to stay walking.
On arriving back to the field we were approaching Alison's trailer, which I had put Cloud in earlier with no trouble, and I felt like she wanted to go in again. I thought I better get off before she walks right in with me, which I did and Cloud then did proceed to walk straight over to the trailer and pop right in, and stayed. Which was fine for Ruby as she appreciated the company. I almost had more trouble getting her to get out! Not really trouble, but I did have to ask several times...
And today she had her first bath! She was not so sure of it at first, but with approach and retreat, she decided it wasn't all that bad and stood very nicely while I sprayed her all over with the hose, no sponges around this barn, its a shower or nothing! I was thinking while she was still in her protest mode, just like a kid to not want a bath, then they get in and have a great time!
Next ride was Monday. I thought I would play with her up in the parking field. I had put out the new cavaletti that I made and a few new toys and just to see how she would be up there by herself. On line she was a bit worried, wondering where were her buddies, but she was also paying attention to me, so I tacked her up, mounted up and said where do you want to go Cloud? Well out the driveway and up the street we went! Very purposefully, but with no tension, no hurry, just a nice walk ears forward, looking for adventure. She passed her first trashcan, with only a sideways glance. I actually had more trouble asking her to come home. She was not headed to the grassy field, because even when we got there, grass was not that interesting, the world was! We had some nice trots and like I said, we got part way home and she wanted to turn around and go back up the hill! So cute and curious!
Tuesday we loaded up and went to Linda Case's in Veneta. I give a lesson there to Paloma, who has a snowflake Appaloosa named Miya. I thought I would bring "my" appy along to compare. Miya is 1 year older, and green, but has lots more time on her. I got there early and took Cloud into her first indoor arena, we think. She was very curious of course, so I let her go to discover, while I put out some obstacles to play with. She wasn't even waiting for me to play with them, she was checking them all out as I put them around, her own version of the touching game.
In a bit Paloma arrived and she went and got Miya. Now I don't know if I have mentioned before Cloud's ability to swish her tail faster than any horse I have ever met. When she is unsure or excited, the tail goes whipping back and forth. And if you happen to be sitting in the saddle, you feel it! So Miya approaches the gate and the tail starts going and it looked like a mirror, as Miya is doing the EXACT SAME THING! I guess it's an appy thing!!! So every time Miya got within 10 feet swishy swish goes to the tail. Talk about expressive. They actually got along just fine, tail swishing and all!
We did a little bit in the arena, I rode Miya for a bit, then we went out for a walk around Linda's place. All was fine until we had to pass the horses with full fly sheets on, neck covered and all and Cloud was not sure they were horses. She didn't really mind that much, but she did stare a bit until she figured it out! We were practicing the yo-yo game- walk, back up, walk, stop, back up, walk etc. She is getting so light at the back up! Looking forward to lots more!
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