| HORSIN' AROUND WITH WENDY behind the scenes Newsletter for Abrazos Adventure, the horse connection March 21 - 23, 2008 |
© Copyright March 2008 Wendy Toombs
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March 21 I watered this morning and decided to do Smudge training around that. (By the way, Smudge let me know that she wants a say in all this
training record so we will give it a try. I will put an S before what she has to say and MW before my narration. She doesn’t think I will get it all right.)
S – Humans never do.
MW - I took her out and we visited the barn first. I had not moved the ATV out nor turned on the lights so I asked her to go into a darker cave today
that had something big already in it. She was a little nervous but decided if I was inside she could go too. We stayed in a few minutes and walked
around. She was busy sniffing things including the ground. Her breath exhalation is strong enough to blow up little clouds of dirt. Her nose is busy
wiggling all the time too as she investigates.
S – I have to give her credit, more is right than I thought. What she didn’t tell you was that things looked different since the light was off. I couldn’t
see stuff as clearly as yesterday and I wasn’t sure just what was waiting for me. Of course there was this huge ‘thing’ right in the way and although it
was quiet it could have eaten me. The space to go in was not very big and the ‘thing’ could have had me for lunch. We horse’s don’t like to be on the
menu.
Something humans don’t think of I guess is smell. There are a lot of different ones in there and at times it is hard to know what the smell belongs to,
it could be a predator.
MW - Before I took her out I loosened her halter one hole. She stood fairly well for that. It was not working easily because she has worn it for several
months and it is full of dirt and sunlight break down.
S – My head is getting itchy. That thing hasn’t been off for a long time. She muttered something about taking it off but I think she also said she
would put it on again.
MW - When Smudge and I finished in the barn I tied her on the fence again. I tied her first then backed the ATV out of the barn. This meant it was
coming right behind her. She didn’t seem concerned about it.
S – Well yeah, now that I can see all of it I know it’s my feed wagon. No problem.
MW - She did well with being left alone for a bit.
S – Standing here is getting boring. There is nothing, and I mean nothing, to do. Just stand. How does Newbie do it?
MW - I decided to take her for a walk before turning her out into the arena. We went around the arena and over to the pony pen. I had water going
and needed to turn it off.
S – Hey, something new. O boy! Mustn’t get nervous.
MW -When we arrived Star (out on her tie line) came over to see Smudge. They touched noses and then Star immediately turned to kick Smudge. I
called Star’s name (yes they each know their name) and gave her the ‘uh, uh’ sound I use for ‘don’t do that’. She backed off and Smudge looked at
her then me with a big sigh of relief.
S – All I did was say hello and I remembered my manners. This gal is a GROUCH big time. I’m not even sure she said ‘hello’ before she yelled at me
that she didn’t like me and if I didn’t get out she would get me out. Scary. I’ll give MW this, Star got in trouble, not me. She called her name and
yelled at her and Star didn’t bother me again. I do think she said something about this not being over yet.
MW - By then the rest of the gang had come to the fence and wanted to say howdy. They all were polite and Smudge was busy telling all of them
she was just a baby and knew her place.
I finished by turning off the water then dragging the hose along side her for a few steps. She didn’t panic over the new feel or something threatening
her legs.
S – MW was pretty calm about all this so I didn’t worry. BUT when we turned around I got a little upset. You see, we see things on the right side
from the right eye and on the left side from the left eye. However, my brain doesn’t transfer the information so when I turned everything looked new
– never saw it before – and I sorta forgot that you don’t push into your human. MW reminded me immediately that she wasn’t a horse and I had to
deal with her on her terms. It took me quite a few steps before I was relaxed enough to be comfortable walking by myself.
Turning around and going back you see everything from a different view. This time we were going straight toward the gelding turn out so those were
of special interest as we approached. Newbie had to come over and let us know he was interested in visiting Smudge. She stood and did not get
excited over the invitation.
S – Newbie told me he thought it was great that I was getting out and around.
After we finished MW put me in the arena for exercise.
MW I left Smudge in the arena for about an hour so she could do her thing. When I went to catch her she was on the east end of the arena. I called
her name and by the time I entered the gate she had come close. She stopped and looked at me. The look I got was to the effect that I could walk
the last 6 feet over to her.
S – Yeah – I came all the way up and she could do her part.
After my session with Smudge today I found myself immersed in horse energy and what felt like clearer communication with them beyond just
observing their body language. It made all my interaction with them quite informative and interesting in a way I have never experienced before as
you can see by the account above. It didn’t quit with Smudge.
Later I took Mattie out for a ride in the back acreage. She has gotten to the point of adding a new tacky move to her repertoire for the students. She
always has relaxed and felt better after a ride out so I thought I would do this for her today.
I sent her the message of what we were going to do when I went to get her. She still gave me a hard time about catching. When I was getting her
ready in the barn she wouldn’t stay in her place. There was a second horse in there so she really needed to. We worked on that and she would
respond when asked then slip back when I moved elsewhere.
We didn’t get too far along the ride when she spotted a large piece of black and white plastic. As we got closer she got tenser. It wasn’t close to us
but several feet into the neighbor’s pasture. She actually spooked a little when she thought it was too close. We had another incident a little later.
We decided to trot the horses and this is where she pulled out her new trick. She tosses her head up and down when you ask her to trot and takes
a step or two then drops to the walk. Her body becomes very tense. She is also causing a little jump with her body as she makes her protest.
I finally told her that I wasn’t going to put up with the attitude any more and she finally relaxed and traveled in the cooperative manner.
I glanced the direction of Star and saw that she wasn’t on her tie line. I had a kid with me so we hopped on the ATV and went looking for her. She
had made it around the pony pen visiting over the fence on her way. We spotted her and I stopped about 50 feet from her. Her first inclination was
to continue walking away from us. Sayra got off the ATV and called to Star. She stopped, raised her head and looked at Sayra. She came to her
then I walked over to put the lead line on.
ST – I thought MW was going to chase me so I got ready to leave. She was sneaky by sending the kid my way. I do like them even though I grouch
when being caught. I can’t make it too easy for folks.
I planned to ride Newbie in the last lesson but the mom and I started talking and got into one of ‘those interesting conversations’ and I didn’t get up. I
did keep him out and climbed on after they left.
We started out in the arena and I decided I wanted to ride him in the patch where the ground is a bit softer.
N- Oh yeah – it’s softer. There are spots that I sink in and have to really work to move. Oh yeah!
I’ve only used him in the arena since I started riding him again and it is time to expand his work area. As we came around the barn all the mares
were in the water lot and he did a lot of looking.
N – I only see some of them when we are in the arena. I don’t get to visit and they were ready to catch me up on their news.
Copper (our stallion) was at the water tank giving us the eye as we approached. I asked him to stay put so I could ride down the alley. He did but
kept a close eye on us. When we got out back I asked Newbie to trot and kept him working.
N – She was hard on an out of shape horse. The sand made this work out heavier than it would have been had we stayed in the arena. It wasn’t too
long before I was puffing but would she let me quit? No! I also didn’t get to do a lot of looking around. I spotted some cows in the next pasture and
wanted to check them out. When I stuck my head up to look she asked me to drop it and continue working. She thought I should pay attention to
what she wanted. With all she was asking she didn’t give me much choice.
Even though she was making me pay attention I wasn’t very relaxed when we started out. She could probably feel this through her body – I wasn’t
trying to hide it. We did get to the point where I worked enough and had to follow her directions so I did relax. Actually, it wasn’t too bad – things
seemed to go smoother and it even felt like her cues became softer. Hummmmm – suppose that was because I relaxed? Does my behavior
determine the outcome? I’ll have to think about that one.
It was fun to ride somewhere besides the arena even though Newbie wasn’t paying a lot of attention. The first 10 minutes out here were full of extra
energy. He didn’t do anything stupid but had a lot of go in him. About 10 minutes into the work out I felt a total relaxation and things got smoother
between us. He was good about trying to do what I asked and had a nice willing energy about him. I could even smell sweat when we were done.
N – Ya know – I didn’t smell her sweat. It looks like I was the only one working.
When we fed the three mares their grain Warlie and Jody disappeared into the open end of Cluie’s pen. I caught Teefa at the regular gate I put
them through and Dan went into the pen. There is another gate that opens into the mares’ pen. Dan took off the feedbags then opened the gate. I
was going to holler at him then decided to mental message the mares. I told them that Dan was making that decision and they needed to remember
they had to regularly deal with me. Warlie walked through the open gate and out to the hay. Jody turned away from the gate and walked the length
of the pen back to me so I could put her through my gate. I did not say a word out loud during this so Dan didn’t know about it and could not have
shooed her my way. You decide why she came to me.
March 22 was another nice warm day. I had a new rider this morning and a family of 5 this afternoon for a guest ride. Drafty was used for the
morning ride and the lady called him handsome more than one time. He thought that was neat. He kind of perked up and when he went back with
the other horses he had a ‘look at me’ air about him. He met up with Newbie first who checked him out, listened to his bragging and said ‘whatever’.
Next on Drafty’s stop was his friend Shorty. After telling Shorty about his experience Shorty said something he didn’t like so he whirled to kick him.
We had a little girl who had never been on a horse before. When they arrived I talked to her a little and told her I had a very special horse for her to
ride. Jody got to work her magic. This girl was trembling scared when she got up and grinning, ‘go faster’ by the time she got down. Jody’s magic
worked again. Of course it helped that Lee Anne was walking with her and explaining things.
training record so we will give it a try. I will put an S before what she has to say and MW before my narration. She doesn’t think I will get it all right.)
S – Humans never do.
MW - I took her out and we visited the barn first. I had not moved the ATV out nor turned on the lights so I asked her to go into a darker cave today
that had something big already in it. She was a little nervous but decided if I was inside she could go too. We stayed in a few minutes and walked
around. She was busy sniffing things including the ground. Her breath exhalation is strong enough to blow up little clouds of dirt. Her nose is busy
wiggling all the time too as she investigates.
S – I have to give her credit, more is right than I thought. What she didn’t tell you was that things looked different since the light was off. I couldn’t
see stuff as clearly as yesterday and I wasn’t sure just what was waiting for me. Of course there was this huge ‘thing’ right in the way and although it
was quiet it could have eaten me. The space to go in was not very big and the ‘thing’ could have had me for lunch. We horse’s don’t like to be on the
menu.
Something humans don’t think of I guess is smell. There are a lot of different ones in there and at times it is hard to know what the smell belongs to,
it could be a predator.
MW - Before I took her out I loosened her halter one hole. She stood fairly well for that. It was not working easily because she has worn it for several
months and it is full of dirt and sunlight break down.
S – My head is getting itchy. That thing hasn’t been off for a long time. She muttered something about taking it off but I think she also said she
would put it on again.
MW - When Smudge and I finished in the barn I tied her on the fence again. I tied her first then backed the ATV out of the barn. This meant it was
coming right behind her. She didn’t seem concerned about it.
S – Well yeah, now that I can see all of it I know it’s my feed wagon. No problem.
MW - She did well with being left alone for a bit.
S – Standing here is getting boring. There is nothing, and I mean nothing, to do. Just stand. How does Newbie do it?
MW - I decided to take her for a walk before turning her out into the arena. We went around the arena and over to the pony pen. I had water going
and needed to turn it off.
S – Hey, something new. O boy! Mustn’t get nervous.
MW -When we arrived Star (out on her tie line) came over to see Smudge. They touched noses and then Star immediately turned to kick Smudge. I
called Star’s name (yes they each know their name) and gave her the ‘uh, uh’ sound I use for ‘don’t do that’. She backed off and Smudge looked at
her then me with a big sigh of relief.
S – All I did was say hello and I remembered my manners. This gal is a GROUCH big time. I’m not even sure she said ‘hello’ before she yelled at me
that she didn’t like me and if I didn’t get out she would get me out. Scary. I’ll give MW this, Star got in trouble, not me. She called her name and
yelled at her and Star didn’t bother me again. I do think she said something about this not being over yet.
MW - By then the rest of the gang had come to the fence and wanted to say howdy. They all were polite and Smudge was busy telling all of them
she was just a baby and knew her place.
I finished by turning off the water then dragging the hose along side her for a few steps. She didn’t panic over the new feel or something threatening
her legs.
S – MW was pretty calm about all this so I didn’t worry. BUT when we turned around I got a little upset. You see, we see things on the right side
from the right eye and on the left side from the left eye. However, my brain doesn’t transfer the information so when I turned everything looked new
– never saw it before – and I sorta forgot that you don’t push into your human. MW reminded me immediately that she wasn’t a horse and I had to
deal with her on her terms. It took me quite a few steps before I was relaxed enough to be comfortable walking by myself.
Turning around and going back you see everything from a different view. This time we were going straight toward the gelding turn out so those were
of special interest as we approached. Newbie had to come over and let us know he was interested in visiting Smudge. She stood and did not get
excited over the invitation.
S – Newbie told me he thought it was great that I was getting out and around.
After we finished MW put me in the arena for exercise.
MW I left Smudge in the arena for about an hour so she could do her thing. When I went to catch her she was on the east end of the arena. I called
her name and by the time I entered the gate she had come close. She stopped and looked at me. The look I got was to the effect that I could walk
the last 6 feet over to her.
S – Yeah – I came all the way up and she could do her part.
After my session with Smudge today I found myself immersed in horse energy and what felt like clearer communication with them beyond just
observing their body language. It made all my interaction with them quite informative and interesting in a way I have never experienced before as
you can see by the account above. It didn’t quit with Smudge.
Later I took Mattie out for a ride in the back acreage. She has gotten to the point of adding a new tacky move to her repertoire for the students. She
always has relaxed and felt better after a ride out so I thought I would do this for her today.
I sent her the message of what we were going to do when I went to get her. She still gave me a hard time about catching. When I was getting her
ready in the barn she wouldn’t stay in her place. There was a second horse in there so she really needed to. We worked on that and she would
respond when asked then slip back when I moved elsewhere.
We didn’t get too far along the ride when she spotted a large piece of black and white plastic. As we got closer she got tenser. It wasn’t close to us
but several feet into the neighbor’s pasture. She actually spooked a little when she thought it was too close. We had another incident a little later.
We decided to trot the horses and this is where she pulled out her new trick. She tosses her head up and down when you ask her to trot and takes
a step or two then drops to the walk. Her body becomes very tense. She is also causing a little jump with her body as she makes her protest.
I finally told her that I wasn’t going to put up with the attitude any more and she finally relaxed and traveled in the cooperative manner.
I glanced the direction of Star and saw that she wasn’t on her tie line. I had a kid with me so we hopped on the ATV and went looking for her. She
had made it around the pony pen visiting over the fence on her way. We spotted her and I stopped about 50 feet from her. Her first inclination was
to continue walking away from us. Sayra got off the ATV and called to Star. She stopped, raised her head and looked at Sayra. She came to her
then I walked over to put the lead line on.
ST – I thought MW was going to chase me so I got ready to leave. She was sneaky by sending the kid my way. I do like them even though I grouch
when being caught. I can’t make it too easy for folks.
I planned to ride Newbie in the last lesson but the mom and I started talking and got into one of ‘those interesting conversations’ and I didn’t get up. I
did keep him out and climbed on after they left.
We started out in the arena and I decided I wanted to ride him in the patch where the ground is a bit softer.
N- Oh yeah – it’s softer. There are spots that I sink in and have to really work to move. Oh yeah!
I’ve only used him in the arena since I started riding him again and it is time to expand his work area. As we came around the barn all the mares
were in the water lot and he did a lot of looking.
N – I only see some of them when we are in the arena. I don’t get to visit and they were ready to catch me up on their news.
Copper (our stallion) was at the water tank giving us the eye as we approached. I asked him to stay put so I could ride down the alley. He did but
kept a close eye on us. When we got out back I asked Newbie to trot and kept him working.
N – She was hard on an out of shape horse. The sand made this work out heavier than it would have been had we stayed in the arena. It wasn’t too
long before I was puffing but would she let me quit? No! I also didn’t get to do a lot of looking around. I spotted some cows in the next pasture and
wanted to check them out. When I stuck my head up to look she asked me to drop it and continue working. She thought I should pay attention to
what she wanted. With all she was asking she didn’t give me much choice.
Even though she was making me pay attention I wasn’t very relaxed when we started out. She could probably feel this through her body – I wasn’t
trying to hide it. We did get to the point where I worked enough and had to follow her directions so I did relax. Actually, it wasn’t too bad – things
seemed to go smoother and it even felt like her cues became softer. Hummmmm – suppose that was because I relaxed? Does my behavior
determine the outcome? I’ll have to think about that one.
It was fun to ride somewhere besides the arena even though Newbie wasn’t paying a lot of attention. The first 10 minutes out here were full of extra
energy. He didn’t do anything stupid but had a lot of go in him. About 10 minutes into the work out I felt a total relaxation and things got smoother
between us. He was good about trying to do what I asked and had a nice willing energy about him. I could even smell sweat when we were done.
N – Ya know – I didn’t smell her sweat. It looks like I was the only one working.
When we fed the three mares their grain Warlie and Jody disappeared into the open end of Cluie’s pen. I caught Teefa at the regular gate I put
them through and Dan went into the pen. There is another gate that opens into the mares’ pen. Dan took off the feedbags then opened the gate. I
was going to holler at him then decided to mental message the mares. I told them that Dan was making that decision and they needed to remember
they had to regularly deal with me. Warlie walked through the open gate and out to the hay. Jody turned away from the gate and walked the length
of the pen back to me so I could put her through my gate. I did not say a word out loud during this so Dan didn’t know about it and could not have
shooed her my way. You decide why she came to me.
March 22 was another nice warm day. I had a new rider this morning and a family of 5 this afternoon for a guest ride. Drafty was used for the
morning ride and the lady called him handsome more than one time. He thought that was neat. He kind of perked up and when he went back with
the other horses he had a ‘look at me’ air about him. He met up with Newbie first who checked him out, listened to his bragging and said ‘whatever’.
Next on Drafty’s stop was his friend Shorty. After telling Shorty about his experience Shorty said something he didn’t like so he whirled to kick him.
We had a little girl who had never been on a horse before. When they arrived I talked to her a little and told her I had a very special horse for her to
ride. Jody got to work her magic. This girl was trembling scared when she got up and grinning, ‘go faster’ by the time she got down. Jody’s magic
worked again. Of course it helped that Lee Anne was walking with her and explaining things.
As we were standing a minute, I decided to take her over to pieces of
telephone poles that were lying on the ground. She was big eyed and snorty
as we approached those strange things. She was willing to check them out
with both hoof and nose. She stood and didn’t get scared or act stupid.
There were two logs fairly long with enough space to walk between. I took
her to the widest end and started through. Mid-way I encountered an old
rubber mat that I had out there and forgot about. We were now committed to
continue. She stopped at the mat, dropped her head and snorted and
sniffed. It took about minutes for her to decide that she was going to be
okay. When she came forward she did so calmly and stopped beside me
rather than panicking and pulling back or jumping over me.
S – Gotta tell you guys, this thing was scary. Horses that have their feet
trapped are in REAL trouble. The end I went in wasn’t too bad – it was pretty
wide. As we walked down it the logs (that’s what MW calls them) got closer
together and I began to feel confined. (I asked her to put a picture in so you
can understand how I was thinking.) When we came to that black thing
buried in the sand I got scared. My snorts are like you telling someone with
words ‘hang on a minute – I have to see about this before I go any further’.
Thank goodness, MW is getting better at understanding our language. She
let me have plenty of time to think. She did make me get my mind back to
the subject when I started to explore other things. After all, you do have to
pay attention and work at the problem to solve it.
I finally put a foot on it to get an idea of what it felt like. It didn’t jump up to
bite me and it didn’t fall or cause me to fall. It didn’t hurt me and didn’t move.
Okay, I can deal with it.
telephone poles that were lying on the ground. She was big eyed and snorty
as we approached those strange things. She was willing to check them out
with both hoof and nose. She stood and didn’t get scared or act stupid.
There were two logs fairly long with enough space to walk between. I took
her to the widest end and started through. Mid-way I encountered an old
rubber mat that I had out there and forgot about. We were now committed to
continue. She stopped at the mat, dropped her head and snorted and
sniffed. It took about minutes for her to decide that she was going to be
okay. When she came forward she did so calmly and stopped beside me
rather than panicking and pulling back or jumping over me.
S – Gotta tell you guys, this thing was scary. Horses that have their feet
trapped are in REAL trouble. The end I went in wasn’t too bad – it was pretty
wide. As we walked down it the logs (that’s what MW calls them) got closer
together and I began to feel confined. (I asked her to put a picture in so you
can understand how I was thinking.) When we came to that black thing
buried in the sand I got scared. My snorts are like you telling someone with
words ‘hang on a minute – I have to see about this before I go any further’.
Thank goodness, MW is getting better at understanding our language. She
let me have plenty of time to think. She did make me get my mind back to
the subject when I started to explore other things. After all, you do have to
pay attention and work at the problem to solve it.
I finally put a foot on it to get an idea of what it felt like. It didn’t jump up to
bite me and it didn’t fall or cause me to fall. It didn’t hurt me and didn’t move.
Okay, I can deal with it.
March 23 was just opposite of yesterday. Of course, this is Easter Sunday
and we can always expect cold unpleasant weather. This morning was
bitter. My three riders were bundled well and worked through it. Lil’s rider
found some new communication points and actually had a productive ride
with less physical effort.
I saw the other side of the communication break through today with a
couple of students.
Bart was used this morning and was very testy in the barn. He stomped
and threatened us and ground his teeth. He was chosen this afternoon
and the disposition did not change. However, the rider came away having
found out a lot more about his balance. He is at the point of needing to
make a small adjustment in how the foot sits in the stirrup and things are
going to change. He said that a lot of what I had been telling him about
balance, how to hold his head and relax the legs. He felt that things had
suddenly come together. It works like that with the riding.
Nicole started out with low energy and no focus. As you can see that was
just fine with Drafty. He likes just putter around.
She hadn’t ridden him for some time. Of course after getting on she
remembered that he didn’t travel very fast. She would ask for trot, get trot,
then let trot die out. After a time of this I called her over and gave her
instructions on committing 100% to what she was doing, feel when he was
going to drop to a walk and at that time give the signal to keep trotting
rather than starting all over after letting the energy die. She got what I told
her and applied it correctly. Before she was done, Drafty was keeping his
trot all the way around. (He glared at me when he had to work) Nicole was
able to tell me exactly what she felt as warning from him before he would
quit and exactly the corrective action she took. She had a super teacher
today and was very receptive.
and we can always expect cold unpleasant weather. This morning was
bitter. My three riders were bundled well and worked through it. Lil’s rider
found some new communication points and actually had a productive ride
with less physical effort.
I saw the other side of the communication break through today with a
couple of students.
Bart was used this morning and was very testy in the barn. He stomped
and threatened us and ground his teeth. He was chosen this afternoon
and the disposition did not change. However, the rider came away having
found out a lot more about his balance. He is at the point of needing to
make a small adjustment in how the foot sits in the stirrup and things are
going to change. He said that a lot of what I had been telling him about
balance, how to hold his head and relax the legs. He felt that things had
suddenly come together. It works like that with the riding.
Nicole started out with low energy and no focus. As you can see that was
just fine with Drafty. He likes just putter around.
She hadn’t ridden him for some time. Of course after getting on she
remembered that he didn’t travel very fast. She would ask for trot, get trot,
then let trot die out. After a time of this I called her over and gave her
instructions on committing 100% to what she was doing, feel when he was
going to drop to a walk and at that time give the signal to keep trotting
rather than starting all over after letting the energy die. She got what I told
her and applied it correctly. Before she was done, Drafty was keeping his
trot all the way around. (He glared at me when he had to work) Nicole was
able to tell me exactly what she felt as warning from him before he would
quit and exactly the corrective action she took. She had a super teacher
today and was very receptive.
I went to get Smudge out of her pen and as soon as I put the lead rope on my phone rang. Had to answer – right? As I stood there talking I was
facing Smudge. All of a sudden she took her left front leg, pawed and struck me on my leg. She did respond to my ‘uh uh’ immediately and there
was no further incident.
S – My bad! I thought we were going. That is what we have done every time this week. I wanted to go so I let MW know in my language. Not the
thing to do. She yelled at me and BELIEVE ME, I know what it means when she yells. Don’t do that – whatever that is. Got it, I just stood quietly
with all 4 feet on the ground.
After the bad start I thought I had better pay close attention to her signals and try hard to do what she wanted. It is helping that she is focusing
better and thinking everything through in pictures. I can see the pictures too and have a better idea of what she wants. I also know she is paying
attention to me.
Smudge followed my directions extremely well so she got a short work out after we got to the arena. After I turned her loose, she even voluntarily
came over to see Lee Anne. For those who have not met her, Lee Anne is a friend coming to the barn when she has time. She is taking lessons
from the horses (we will be glad to explain), hanging out and helping me.
facing Smudge. All of a sudden she took her left front leg, pawed and struck me on my leg. She did respond to my ‘uh uh’ immediately and there
was no further incident.
S – My bad! I thought we were going. That is what we have done every time this week. I wanted to go so I let MW know in my language. Not the
thing to do. She yelled at me and BELIEVE ME, I know what it means when she yells. Don’t do that – whatever that is. Got it, I just stood quietly
with all 4 feet on the ground.
After the bad start I thought I had better pay close attention to her signals and try hard to do what she wanted. It is helping that she is focusing
better and thinking everything through in pictures. I can see the pictures too and have a better idea of what she wants. I also know she is paying
attention to me.
Smudge followed my directions extremely well so she got a short work out after we got to the arena. After I turned her loose, she even voluntarily
came over to see Lee Anne. For those who have not met her, Lee Anne is a friend coming to the barn when she has time. She is taking lessons
from the horses (we will be glad to explain), hanging out and helping me.
