I lunged Brandy in the round pen today. She did really well until I asked for a lope. She just doesn't like to do it, and then she's worried about it, and then she gets tired. It's a very exhausting business. At last I was able to get her to lope a couple of steps each direction. Then we went for a stroll outside to cool off. It was very warm today and the sun felt very nice. Brandy didn't spook about the truck coming down the driveway toward her - she side stepped and we moved out of the way, but she handled herself very nicely. She didn't spook as the tractor drove by, or the hose moving, or the girls cleaning the stall right beside. I'm very proud of her, even if we didn't achieve a controlled canter. That will come though...I hope.

Spur of the Moment

I didn't make it out to the ranch yesterday. I just had way too much to do. However, today was sunny and, it's Friday so I had nothing to get back to. My roommate is working, so I would've been here all by myself anyways. I hopped in my truck and drove to Dallas, not quite sure who I would work with or what I would do.
I ended up riding Chance after a long grooming session. He had two huge knots in his hair. One of the kids who is working at Debbie's was there and helped me to get the knots out, talking the entire time. It was amusing.
I received a couple of bucks from Chance, but fortunately I had decided to lunge him first, for he was full of energy. We worked a little on collected trot, lead changes, turn backs and side passes. Then we went outside to the field behind Debbie's house. It was still really mushy and wet from the recent rain, so we didn't go too far into the field.
I think that I will change my second ranch day to Friday. I just haven't been able to get away on Thursdays. Fridays is much more feasible.

Breezes and Flags

I lunged Brandy on Tuesday with side reins. She did really well and held her head collected as if she'd been doing it forever. There was a bonus to our lessen that made me extremely proud of her. The trainer was working with a horse and had all sorts of scary things (tarps, flags, blankets) scattered about the fence. The door was also open and letting the breeze into the arena. Several times the breeze came through and ruffle the flag or tarp. Brandy perked up her ears sharply, raised her head, balked, and stared hard at the flag the first time. Then she walked slowly forward! A few other times caused a little anxiety, but no bolting! We moved through walk and trot and even a very fast trot in which she kept her head collected. She did so well that I had the brilliant idea to ask her for a canter. She bolted without a second thought. After that I had a hard time even getting her to move. After about half an hour of frustration because she would barely walk, let alone trot (even with the whip) or canter, I untacked her. The day was nice, so we walked around outside a little. She needed to cool down and, to be honest, so did I. I didn't want to put her away while I was still frustrated with her.
Looking back on the meat of the lessen it went really well. I have to keep reminding myself that she bravely continued to be lunged even with the flag and tarp and blankets wisping in the breeze and how far she has come since I started working with her.