Saturday and Sunday were great :) Unfortunately I'm writing this five days later, so the details are a bit fuzzy, but we definitely had some good moments. Saturday I warmed up Cheyenne which took a matter of minutes, and from the moment we left the dry lot for the play pen she was connected and responsive. How cool! Once I got on (this time under saddle) we once again did a million transitions, this time with some cantering peppered in. It's funny, growing up cantering and galloping were my two favorite speeds, but once Cheyenne became my main horse, we have really stuck to walk/trot. She had a lot of issues finding balance with a rider while cantering, and could never get the correct lead which didn't help, so we kind of just avoided it. It is definitely my fault for not helping her instead of just ignoring it, so now we are making some progress. She was a star as always, and we even went out of the pasture into the yard with her staying LB and acting like a partner! This was a huge deal since normally her threshold is the pasture fence, and anything beyond that calls for wide eyes and prey animal instincts to kick in. My five year old nephew even sat on her again while she grazed, and she acted like an old pro! I can't believe how far my little RBE has come. Most days you can't even tell she used to be a little reactive ball of nerves and RBE frenzy. I'm trying really hard to not hang onto the past and raise expectations for her instead of treating her like how she used to be, and days like that she makes it so easy :) I couldn't be more proud of that little lady!
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| My nephew and Cheyenne <3 |
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| Saddle fort! |
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| My pretty lady :) |
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| Straddling the pole for the first time! |
Sunday it was finally Gwen's turn, and when she saw the halter finally coming in her direction she shoved her nose in it, ready to play! I got into LBI/LBE mode (which is pretty easy since that is my humanality) and off we went! Well, almost. We played with the F8 OL, sent her over a jump, played with COD, but all the while there was this huge bee buzzing around her legs, front left armpit, and hind end! It was the weirdest bee too, it flew in the fetal position, was huge, and super fuzzy. She tried really hard to be good, and she was really willing to play and only gave me semi-sour faces when asked for transitions, however she couldn't help but swish her tail at the bee, try to kick it, bite it, etc. After a few minutes I gave up and figured it was time for her spa treatment, and maybe I could drown that little dude at the same time ;)
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| Gweny watching the neighbors |
I sprayed her off and he seemed to stay away while she was wet, but when it's nearing 90 degrees it doesn't take long for her to dry off. I had to chop her long mane I worked so hard to grow out, which really sucked, but had to be done. With me being there only once a month (and once winter hits and the mountain pass gets bad it will be less than that :[ ) it just turns into giant knots. Her mane and tail are so thick, if they aren't constantly braided, they're a huge mess. My scissors were going really dull however, so it wasn't the prettiest job, and she now looks like she rides in the 'short trailer', but whatever. It has to feel better than having big knots in your hair!
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| Perfect summer day |
The bee came back, and it was war. I tried spraying him with the hose but could never get him, so I grabbed a short fat stick. My goal was to smack him onto the ground then squish him with my boot. I hit him a few times, but he would only be on the ground for a split second than fly off again. I was at it for about 20 minutes (or felt that long, anyway) and just gave up and lounged in the shade while Gweny happily enjoyed some fresh grass.
When I finally put her to bed the bee was still around, and this time going from horse to horse looking for who knows what. Seriously, since when do bees obsess over horses? I let Gweny go and had some undemanding scratchy time with her and Cheyenne, and on my way out Chey was right behind me. As I was opening the gate, I turned around and saw it right next to her, so I smacked it with my had as hard as I could and finally squished the crap out of him!! Not today, bee!!! That's what you get for messing with my babies!!
I'm now back home and missing them all over again. I was really hoping to have them here by March, and now it looks like it might not be until next summer. For now I just have to enjoy our short but awesome weekends :)
