Friday the 13th - Cheyenne

Trail ride! She did AWESOME! Took us 1/3 of the time less to get to the trail head than it did last time, and that was a couple months ago! She was really heavy on the reins until we got more into the "valley" where the ponds were and where the ground was somewhat flatter. It also turned into trails that were deep sand, and I used that to my full advantage ;) I kept her in the thick stuff and trotted a bit, and soon she just calmed down and I was able to put my reins down and enjoy the ride :) We even had a nice RELAXED canter for the very first time out on an old farmer's road, reins down and feeling good =] Once she relaxed she turned into a total rockstar. For being an RBE, that mare has a lot of guts. She didn't like the mud, but she went through it anyways. The ducks flying around in the ponds really bothered her, and she would turn into a statue and stand and stare. This only lasted for a few seconds each time though, and she was game to keep going. On our way home we went by a few horse pastures, and she started freezing and whinnying, but once I got her back on the trail by ourselves she was better. At the end of the trail, right as we got back onto the residential road, there was a horse eating llama that she was convinced she could not walk past. Mind you it was 100 yards away in its pasture, but it was definitely a horse eater. I got off and walked her past him and by the first house, then road her the whole .2 miles back to our house. The second she stepped into my driveway you could feel her whole body relax and her whole demeanor change. Overall she did AMAZING! By far exceeded my expectations for the day, and for our nice relaxed moments it was the best feeling in the world :) It's been WAY too long since I had a nice relaxing trail ride like that, especially on my own. She just needs more miles on her and more experience. It's still really frustrating when she tries to invade my space when I'm on the ground walking her by houses and she starts feeling insecure, and when she gets so heavy on the reins at times, but I know that's just patience and persistence on my end reinforcing proper behavior. It's just going to take time. But for now, I'm tickled pink I got to go on a 2 hour surprise trail ride today, just me and my pony :)

Pictures on per Parelli Connect page :)  http://www.parelliconnect.com/horses/4901