A special evening..........

Now that the cold weather has pretty much subdued I figured that it would be a perfect time to spent some time with my gal and ride her for a bit. I always, always start with some groundwork especially if I haven't ridden or worked with her in a month. Even if she seems like she is completley sound and normal I don't like to take my chances. I always lean towards the safe side and see what she is like when I do groundowork with her first and then I determine weather I can ride her or not. If she seems full of herself I try to stay clear of getting on her back. Miss. Betty Boo is the kind of horse that if I overload her with too much stuff she shuts down and does not want to have anything to do with me. That's why I have to be careful how much and how fast I accomplish my goals with her.

Yesterday and tonight I decided to work with her for at least an hour both nights. I did of course some groundwork with her first. I lunged her in both directions like I normally do. Then I do the Porcipine Game, and the Yo-Yo game. I desensitize her with an old feed bag and wave it around her both sides both times. I try to make the bag as big and scary as possible I also try to let her know that If I am around I will not let anything hurt her, EVER! I rub it on her stomach her face the most vaulernablee parts of her body. I walk her over, back her up, cover her with it and have her walk around the arena with the tarp/feed bag/ empty plastic grocerey bag tied around all parts of her body. If she does well within my hour of groundwork with her If I have enough time I will get on her back, I also have to keep in mind that my horse is letting me on her back out of "trust", riding a horse is something that they allow you to do out of trust.