After Margaret and I had such a fun time at the fall hunter pace, we opted to go again this spring! This time, while I rode Rejoice again, Margaret rode her horse Jester and had a friend ride Ladyhawke. All Kennebec Morgans!! Jester and Rejoice have the same dam and Jester and Lady share the same sire. Unfortunately instead of a lovely late spring day, we had one of the first intensely hot and humid days of the year. It was definitely a bummer, but the ride was mostly in the shade of the woods and we had a great time! most of the fences were 3' coops but we found a small log and this hay to jump haha Until we didn't. 😑 We brought along a third friend who rode Margaret's older mare, Ladyhawke. She's a good rider but hasn't known Ladyhawke for very long and didn't realize how much of a cranky boss mare she could be at times. She kicked Jester right in the front leg just about halfway through the ride, and while the cut itself ended up not being a big deal in the...
This past Sunday I had only enough time to groom everyone...though I desperately wanted to ride, it just wasn't going to happen. I groomed all three mares and decided to play for a few minutes with the Big Scary Tarp with Reva. It is not really that "exciting" to introduce new things to her, because quite honestly nothing bothers her.
I thought I would find something to "work on" with the tarp.
I spread it out on the ground with big rocks on each corner. I brought her out and took her for a quick walk around, briefly allowing her to walk past the tarp. She didn't look at it. I asked her to halt, back, pivot, all the normal in-hand stuff we practice.
Then I led her up to the tarp. I'm all ready to let her sniff it, maybe put a foot on it, and I am even ready to pick it up and allow her to "chase it" in case she is really worried about it. I have a six year old son who would be MORE than happy to be asked to run around with a tarp!
Yeah well.....she touched it with her nose, lifted her head, and proceeded to walk right over it. I was standing a bit off to the side, allowing her room, and she nearly walked by me. LOL!
So yeah. Tarp not so scary. I made her walk over it twice from each side (LOL) and she walked over it each time like it wasn't even there...until she finally gave me That Look. The withering look she has perfected...."Seriously, Mom? I'm not scared of it! Can I eat grass now?" complete with a huge bored sigh.
OK, gotcha. Walking over tarp lesson complete. I did let her graze for a while on the nice green lawn. :D Next the tarp goes on her head (didn't think of it at the time). I'm getting the feeling it might not be a huge deal. :)
I thought I would find something to "work on" with the tarp.
I spread it out on the ground with big rocks on each corner. I brought her out and took her for a quick walk around, briefly allowing her to walk past the tarp. She didn't look at it. I asked her to halt, back, pivot, all the normal in-hand stuff we practice.
Then I led her up to the tarp. I'm all ready to let her sniff it, maybe put a foot on it, and I am even ready to pick it up and allow her to "chase it" in case she is really worried about it. I have a six year old son who would be MORE than happy to be asked to run around with a tarp!
Yeah well.....she touched it with her nose, lifted her head, and proceeded to walk right over it. I was standing a bit off to the side, allowing her room, and she nearly walked by me. LOL!
So yeah. Tarp not so scary. I made her walk over it twice from each side (LOL) and she walked over it each time like it wasn't even there...until she finally gave me That Look. The withering look she has perfected...."Seriously, Mom? I'm not scared of it! Can I eat grass now?" complete with a huge bored sigh.
OK, gotcha. Walking over tarp lesson complete. I did let her graze for a while on the nice green lawn. :D Next the tarp goes on her head (didn't think of it at the time). I'm getting the feeling it might not be a huge deal. :)
Nice to have a horse that isn't scared by much!
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