Out and About

Tuesday night was just beautiful! I had planned to head out to the farm to work with Cat after worked. I was so pumped that I even left work a little early so that I could have more time to play. Before I could even get in the door at home I learned that what I’d been thinking about all day was not going to happen. DH had a meeting that he’d forgotten about so I was home with the boys.

I tried to stay positive telling myself “I’ll just ride tomorrow, no big deal”, and it wasn’t. That was until Wednesday rolled around. Along with it came the rains and the cooler weather. So much for riding. Not so fast! I called up Mona to see if I could use the indoor. Just because it was raining didn’t mean I couldn’t still spend some time with Cat. I didn’t figure I’d ride as Cat has only been off property by herself and to Mona’s once before. I didn’t recall her being bad – just not as relaxed as she was at home.

DH had the trucked hooked up for me so when I got there we were ready to go. As I was putting brushes in the tack compartment Cat decided to load herself (I love having that problem). When we got to the barn I stayed outside as the trainer had use of the arena until 7. She came out to inform me she wasn’t using it and to come on in. I brushed the mud off of Cat as we talked and then headed to the arena.

I worked on LFR, the C pattern and the sending exercise to get her used to the arena. The back doors were open (like big double dutch doors) so she could see the horses in the back pasture. She was talking to Carmella and Stargate and was loosing focus on me so I kicked it up a notch. Once she was listening to me we headed back to the other end to do some desensitizing.

I felt she was listening so I decided to hop on. I rode for a bit w/just the lead and then had MIL turn it into a set of reins for me. Each ride she gets just a bit better (what I want right). She doesn’t have sticky feet! She moved right out – not to fast, not to slow. I’ll slow her down in the future but right now she’s moving at a good pace. I decided to ask her to trot. Again, not to fast, not too slow. She was moving out and willingly took my offer when I squeezed with my legs. I didn’t let her go too far before turning her into the wall and shutting her down.

A few times she did get distracted by babies. At one point she decided she’d give me a mini rear instead of going forward (away from the babies). I quickly let her know that was unacceptable and we moved on. She feels really good. Her gates are smooth and so is her back. I need to work on getting the saddle and bridle on her but the ground outside is too slick and Mona has mirrors in the indoor that I’d be afraid to break if she did go bonkers (doubt it will happen but just as soon not risk it).

It was a wonderful night. I’m so glad I didn’t let the rain get me down.