great 'week end'

I had a great 'week end' with the horses. On wednesday I worked with Jr and the bitting rig. He didn't think much about the bungees and having to learn to 'give' but he got it after awhile. He was in good spirits and didn't kick once, let me play with his feet, etc. I think he will settle down quite well after he realises his winter of fun is over. At the end of the session I did a few flexing exercises, asking him to give to the bit and although it took him a bit he did give. I think his lesson lasted about 45 minutes and then he stood tied for about a half hour while I worked Annie. On Thursday I didn't get to them as soon as I wanted to as it was quite chilly and windy out here, but once it warmed up and the wind quieted down I took Annie for a long drive out in the pasture, I was told this pasture was 1000 acres, and I don't know for sure if it is, but I do know that after about 15 minutes of a decent trot I still hadn't found the fence line...I wasn't being a good 'trainer' on this drive, I let Annie gawk at stuff because I was doing the same, its really getting green and most of the green is grass. We saw an antelope, just one loner so either he was being a lookout or is older, who knows. By the time we got back I had other things I needed to get done, so Jr's 'lesson' was to stand tied. He actually did pretty darn good today and didn't paw too much. When I let them back out into the pasture though they ran like they hadn't been in pasture for weeks, it was really pretty to see them flagging their tails and snorting and being silly, even Annie who I thought couldn't possibly have any energy left after our marathon drive!

Spring is definately here!!

Finally, some nice weather to work the horses. It's absolutely beautiful here right now, there is even enough green in the pastures that the horses won't eat all their hay. March 4th was the beginning of 'spring training'and not a minute too soon cause Jr has definitely gotten an attitude. Mai came down and we fitted Jr's harness to him after much punching of holes. Then we hooked up Annie and I went for a drive, Annie was typical 'freight train Annie' at first, but relaxed a few minutes into it and was really fun to drive. When I came back and tried to put Annie back in the pen, Jr decided to kick at me when I shooed him away from the gate, soooo he got a lunging lesson for about 1/2 hour until he decided he would look at me. On Thursday it was another gorgeous day, unfortunately I felt like dog doo because I had the stomach virus that was going around, lucky lucky me. But it was too nice to waste so Jr and I had another longe line lesson that went much better, although he is being a snot about his hind feet and will kick out every time I work them, so I played with his feet until he gave up, then he got to stand tied while I longed Annie for a few minutes, standing tied is definitely his week point and I have tried to explain that he had to be patient but he doesn't believe me yet. With the time change I was able to work the horses when I got home from work and took Annie for a little drive while Jr was standing tied (A new staple of training, kinda like brushing him down, he will just have to stand tied while Annie is being worked). Annie was great with the bit, I almost couldn't believe I was driving her she was so light, she is arching her neck a bit, but she hasn't been driven in well over a year, maybe even two so I'm not sweating that yet. Then it was Jr's turn and he had decided that kicking at me while on the longe line is the thing to do, so after 30 minutes of longing I am hoping he has decided other wise. He is still getting used to his new bit, but I just had him carry it today, it obviously wasn't enough of a distraction from kicking ;-). I am not too worried about his attitude, I think its more spring fever/I don't WANNA type of thing and once he is worked regularly he should straighten up some. I guess time will tell!