All the Pretty Horses

Yesterday I had to take Scooter to the vet to get her yearly coggins test so that we can carry her to a horse sale in July... sooo, I figured I'd try to load Snix up and take her, too. The last time I tried to load her into the new trailer was the first time, too, and she would not load. I was trying to bring her home from the cow pasture, but was unsuccessful. Jeff's uncle Timbo ended up bringing her home in his stock trailer.

Anyhow, yesterday I got up early, set up some panels at the back of the trailer, so she couldn't try going to the side - makes the right choice easier. And I would tap her with the end of the lead... I'd start out tapping the air, then little taps on her rump, bigger taps, then - if she'd completely turn her fanny to the trailer - I'd whack her with it. She'd turn around quick and I'd stop. If she made the smallest motion towards the trailer I'd stop, relax and pet her. She put one foot in two different times, but jerked it right back out - I just stood back, putting no pressure on her, gave her a couple of seconds, then started asking her to go forward again. After about 20 minutes she finally got tired of the tapping and decided to go in. When she made up her mind to go in, she made no hesitation. I was pleasantly surprised. Then, when we got back ( I didn't unload her at the vet's), she backed out like a pro! She's never backed out for us before... of course our old trailer had more room to turn around, but this new one has mangers, so there's less room. Regardless, I barely even had to cue her, and, once again, she had no hesitation in her step. I was very excited with her and pleased. Snickers is such a sweetheart, and even though she rarely gets ridden, I just love having her around.

As far as the run last Saturday, it didn't rain as much as it was supposed to, so the ground was okay and they had the run. We just stopped by to pick up my award - a nice folding chair with our logo silkscreened on the back - and headed to Jeff's parent's house to celebrate Father's Day. They're having another run this Saturday, though, so we will go to that one. Then, there is a big money added run in Marshall on the following weekend and another NBHA run the weekend after that. Don't know if I'll try another "triple header".... we'll just have to play it by ear.

girl: "I don't go for this 'touchy-feely' stuff. It might be good for pets, but not for training barrel horses."

boy: "I don't think it has anything to do with being 'touchy-feely'. I think it's more about finding something that works."

-overheard at a natural horsemanship symposium by Horse & Rider editor Darrell Dodds