Settling In

So things have been pretty status quo since the last posting. She's refused to be caught one other time, but in general has been pretty much her normal self.

In a mess of "can't catch another horse," I ended up using Breezy for one of my lessons on Monday. I was really impressed with her attitude there, as she had plenty of chances to be inappropriate in some form and kept it to a minimum. It was nice to see her with someone else up, I could see where the holes were filling in on what I'd been working on with her straightness, but that in getting that straightness we've lost some of the forward momentum. She's one of those that always feels like she's going somewhere, so I'm learning to be careful of keeping her moving.

I did another good flat school on Thursday (and then just a wander around the barn area yesterday, don't want her to completely hate me!), and we actually accomplished haunches-in in both directions. The lateral work was my big lofty goal for this year, as Kirsten can manage it quite nicely on a schoolmaster type but was having a lot of trouble teaching it to Breezy. The few times we've tried prior, it was a lot of bitchy mare syndrome and not much in the way of results, so I was really pleased.

I think this week we'll go back to jumping a bit. I can tell she's getting bored with the flatwork, and a bored Breezy is not going to be a fun ride for me!

The Honeymoon is OVER.

I hate riding on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The whole "work 9-5, change clothes, and find the energy to ride" thing has never worked well for me. I applaud the amateur riders (and other insane dual-career pros) who manage to do it night after night, but my initiative disappears right around sunset.

That said, there is a pony that must work, so off I went tonight. I was actually looking forward to the ride, I haven't ridden since Thursday since I was at my cousin's wedding in upstate NY this weekend. I even busted out the tall boots (and broke the pull on a zipper. La Mundial, you are so not on my happy list.) Breezy had been great for me then, and had done a lesson Saturday with a good report as well, so I was excited to get going again this week.

Got to the farm, caught up with Shelly, and then headed to the field. Breezy actually walked up to me, which is a first. And then it happened....

She RAN.

Thankfully it was more of a jog, so I didn't have to worry that she was going to get herself or her girlfriends hurt. I tried again, and then went for the grain.

That little witch stayed out of arm's reach for 15 minutes, even following me back to the gate when I gave up. I was allowed to touch her once I hung the halter up, but there was no prayer of me even getting the lead rope up to grab her.

From now on I go armed with peppermints from minute 1. Or ask that she be kept in a stall after dinner. Or both. 

Also annoying? When I texted her owner to tell her what a brat her horse is, Kirsten laughed at me. She's a brat too, obviously.