Always learning

Yesterday I went to the barn with the intention of playing with both Willow and Pixie and liberty. Willow is really just starting this journey with me and right now we are focused on confidence building exercises. I had no plans really for Pixie, other than just playing.

Willow and I started out in the morning. I brought her into the big arena and brought the stick and stick with us because I wanted to use it as a target. The stick is long enough she can target it a good distance away from me. It gives her a visual of where I want her when leading. She started getting nervous as we approached the arena...odd for her at this point in our training. And when I let her go she took off running and proceeded to run the fence at the far end. It took me a minute and then I realized the only thing different was the stick and string...so I dropped in and walked over to her. She calmed down and took some treats. After a minute I went back to the stick and started walking over to her. She immediately tensed up and wanted to leave. So I just waited. I started to click her for looking at it and within a few minutes I was able to have her touching it. It took her some time to figure out I wasn't going to drive her off with it. After that we did some great targeting work.

I learned a big lesson today. I never thought Willow was scared of the stick, but thinking about it she has always been online while we played with it. Just goes to show how good they are at hiding their feelings while haltered because they have learned they have no other choice.

After targeting we worked on the fun noodle tree, with only two noodles to make it easier. We had worked on this the other day with a bunch of other boarders. Both Willow and Pixie went through it on the ground and under saddle, so this should have been easy right. Wrong, again I was shown that just because they do it while on line doesn't mean they are happy about it. We didn't feel like we had forced them to go through before, but they must have felt some pressure because when I took off the halter it took them a while to go through at liberty. They did it in the end. And it really didn't take that long, but it was the point that they were very clear with me they were not comfortable with it in the beginning.  Pixie definitely went through it faster, but we have played so much more at liberty, and plain and simple she has more trust in me than Willow does.

 I have always said once you take away all the equipment you are only left with the truth and once again Willow didn't prove me wrong. Another lesson learned for me!

My horses are always teaching me lessons, more than I ever teach them.

Obstacle day at the Barn

A couple friends and I decided to put together an obstacle course at the barn. We decided it is always good to mix things up and work on desensitizing our horses. We met at 9 to set up and were ready to go by 10. We had everything from someone drumming to balloons. We had so many things we had to cut out a few and figured we could plan another day with the obstacles we had to leave out. It was great fun! And what a learning experience for both horse and owner. Lots of other boarders came to join us. We originally just planned on our small group, but as the day went more and more people wanted to come try the obstacles! It was great! We got lots of thank yous for setting it up. I am glad it was such a hit. Can't wait till the next one :)

Jess and my partner pulling the tire

Pixie at the balloons

Pixie at the cowboy curtain

Willow at the flag

Willow at the curtain

Navi's cut

Last Saturday the 25th of April Navi decided to try and test the fence. Well it didn't end up so well and she cut her hock really bad. We were lucky in that we caught it right away (the barn manager was calling us when we were pulling in the drive)

I would be lying if I said I didn't almost freak out when I saw this. I was really didn't know what to think. The vet was great and got there within 10 minutes. It was 6pm on Saturday! He poked around, cleaned it and couldn't detect any joint fluid meaning we had lucked out and she missed the joint! So we stitched it up and put her on stall rest for 8 days with a standing wrap.

Now here we are 8 days later and she has had one follow up and rewrap with the vet (last Wed). Yesterday we pulled the wrap and rewrapped a smaller bandage. She also was allowed to have some more freedom so she got the whole run.

Day 8 Stitches still in and looking good. 

A bit more freedom

The stitches are schedule to come out next Friday. Hopefully she keeps them in until then. As far as follow up her fence that she tried to push through is getting hot wire before she goes back to pasture. She is weight baring and has good range of motion so I think we lucked out.  And in case anyone is wondering... we have $565.00 in vet bills from this cut not counting any future appts. Now were is the bubble wrap...