2006
- September\October
BrisaBrisa has grown an inch and has started to fill out a bit. Her fall coat is a deep, glossy seal brown that fades to black around her legs. She is still very playful but has learned to wait for my cues before moving forward. She is doing so well with the suppling exercises we have been working on, and she has been sacked out with all sorts of things. I can even lay my jacket or a saddle blanket over her back! She is now learning to stand patiently and tie quietly, and soon we’ll start working on trailer loading. She learns so fast!
RangerI’ve made some big strides with Ranger in the last couple of months. He is still spooky, but is learning to face his fears rather than bolting. He likes to be rubbed and scratched, and he has discovered that it feels good to let me scratch the hard to reach itchy places on his belly! He knows his name and responds when I kiss to him. He is such a sweet guy and tries really hard to please. He is incredibly athletic and graceful -- you have to see this horse move!
Ranger has grown at least an inch and probably gained a hundred pounds. He is sleek and shiny, with a long black mane and tail. He bleached to almost buckskin this summer, but is now a deep, rich chestnut brown with black legs. He looks like a perfect bay.
- August
BrisaBrisa is learning so quickly! She is easy to halter and has learned to yield to the slightest pressure. She knows the cue to "back" and is learning "whoa." She yields her hindquarters and we are working on yielding the forehand. She leads smoothly and is almost ready to start going on walks outside the pasture. She is used to brushes and curry combs and really enjoys being groomed. She lets me pick up her hooves and tolerates having her tail messed with. I introduced fly spray a few days ago, and although it tickled her a bit she soon realized it didn’t feel too bad!
RangerRanger is a lot more nervous than Brisa and I have to take things a little slower. He is learning to trust me, however, and this month we have made a lot of progress. He allows me to touch him everywhere except his belly and his back legs. He also tolerates the halter, although he is not yet what I would call "easy to catch." He is learning verbal commands and responds well to my hand gestures. I use a lot of advance and retreat and he is slowly gaining confidence.