Day 16

6/16/09

Today was Lacy's day off. I went to see her this afternoon. The spot on her shoulder is all scabbed up. I cleaned it and put more swat on it. Hopefully it will heal fast. I let her graze while I braided her tail. Then I couldn't resist hopping on her. But I forgot my helmet! Shhhhhh! Don't tell Sissy! I swear. Sometimes I can be so absent minded. Overall, it was a nice day. She was being such a sweetie today.

**Update: We went out later this afternoon. She was really antsy and I could tell she was about to rear. So, I smacked her with the lead rope. She was kinda frightened by it because it caught her off guard. But she was obedient after I corrected her.(:

Day 9

6-9-2009
Oh my gosh! Lacy picked up her feet, got her leads, and trotted over a line of poles! Today was a great day. It started off a little rainy. But as soon as I got into the field I was already in a better mood. We even trotted in a little. Then she let me pick her front hooves with only a little bit of pushing! During the ride she was great. Sure, she was a little crooked when we were going through the 'line', slow in the corners, and didn't get her leads right away. But she tried and that's all I can ask for. After, we rode around bareback. She wanted to go back in; so I threw the saddle back on and walked in. The saddle fell off in the aisle! She didn't even blink! So I gathered the tack back up,and put her in cross ties. When I brushed her she didn't even try to leave! I gave her a few treats for being so good. Then she galloped away to see her friends. That's what I call a good ride. Happy Riding!

Week's Conclusion

In this first week I've come to realize; its not about riding anymore. Its about the bond between the horse and her partner. A bond that hope to achieve someday. I'm not going work on being a better rider. Atleast until I have established a partnership with Lacy. Then things will go much easier. Good Luck with your relationships guys.

Day 8

6-8-09

I've been a horse owner for officially 1 week! Today was SUCH a great day. I had to walk half way out in the field today. But she took like 3 steps towards me. Pretty soon she'll be coming to me! Then, she was a little pushy in the cross-ties; but she gave me her feet today with minimal effort. I'm so proud!Then, I got on her and she didn't try to move around the mounting block! I proceeded to walk, trot, and canter her. She got the right left lead. But, I couldn't get the right one. So then we weaved in and out of some cones. Then we trotted over a pole! I'm not bragging, but she was AMAZING!!! I'm so happy! After, I rode her out bareback around the ring. She didn't even move when I hoped on without a saddle. She is doing such a great job with all of her training. She went from a western trail horse to an English pony that can even go over a pole! My little Lacy is such a sport.

* Oh, this guy told me that she was so pretty; and such a good horse. He wanted to know who trained her, where I got her, and how many years I had her. It made me feel so good. I think were actually starting to bond with each other.(:He kept saying she was so beautiful. I'm so proud to be partners with such an amazing pony.

Day 7

6-7-2009
She rears. Today I went to the barn early in the morning. She was just about to be put out with her friends. But then I got there and started grooming her to ride. She was PISSED! She kept throwing her head around to look at the field.So I turned her around, which made her even more mad. Then when my Mom tried to hold her head down; she reared just to be defiant. When I tried to mount her she was walking all around the mounting block. So I took her to the one that's not near her field and got on her. She was fine when I rode her. I think I was because she knew she lost the battle. But I don't want to fight her! Then I put her out and she full out galloped to her friends. I think I'm just going to ride her in the afternoons from now on. But I hate it that I have to stick to certain time just because she wants to go out with her friends and graze. Further more, I'm going to groom her in the school section so she can't even look out at the other mares. I just don't know what else to do.
But on the up side she picked up her hooves to day with out a lot of pulling!(:

**Update:

I've been looking online, and I think my problem is that she associates me with bad things. Like working, getting her hooves picked,ect... So I went out later this afternoon. I brought treats and she came to me fairly easily. The I grabbed a big dandy brush. I took her out in the open and just let her graze. While I talked to her and brushed her. I also took her in and out of the indoor. She was a bit scared.I regret doping it now. But in the and I gave her lots of treats and let her go back out with her friends. Hopefully our bond will get better with time. I love her so much.

Day 5

6-5-2009

Rainy days are here again. It has been raining so much today. Luckily, I got a little trotting in before it started raining hard. The puddles in the sand arena were huge! But she went right through them like the good girl she is. I need to work on hr barn manners this weekend. I know if I keep asking her and asking her for her hoof; she'll eventually give it to me. It's so frustrating pushing a pulling at her legs. I'm hoping getting her hooves trimmed will make things easier. And when I was about to get on, she kept walking forward, and throwing her head around. I kept telling reassuring her, and when I finally got on, she was good. Lace is kind of forward in the ring. But I really like that she's so responsive.

Not to totally change the subject, but she got moved in with the girls! Both the Sissy and Alison (Sissy's daughter) told me she did really well! They even let her in the Run-In when it started raining! I'm so proud of that social little girl! Everybody seems to love her! I know I do(:

Day 3

6-3-2009

I got her to pick up all four feet today! It took some pushing and shoving for the front feet but she was such a doll for the rest. We walked/trotted/cantered again today. I took her out with other people for the first time today. She was kind of nervous. But she was just looking at everyone. She never did anything mean. She was getting bad in the ring on the side near the boys field. She was very wiggly tyring to look at all of them. But that can be fixed. Also, She needs to work on her turns at the canter and learning to stay on the rail at the canter. Plus, I need to teach her her leads! So much to do! But, I'm excited about teaching her. And I have a feeling She'll be a quick learner. After the ride I put her out in her field. But I had to rush back 3hrs later because a big storm rolled in. When I was running to her in the pouring rain, She looked at me like, ' where on earth have you been?!" I was walking her to her stall and it thundered really loud the a big lightning blot lit up the dark sky. She look at me, and I looked at her. It was then that I realized we really are going to be great friends.