Proud Mom :)

I went out late today, thinking Reina and I would work on our groundwork and me getting to control her forward movement. I was excited about this prospect! So off I went.

But... I walked up, and Chi was raking leaves. She looked up and called "Oh! Yay! Are you here to help me escape this drudgery!?" And so naturally, I said yes! And we went on an impromptu trail ride. This is the second reason why I never make set plans for when I go out to the barn.

The first reason is because I'm of the opinion that Reina will tell me what we need to work on - if she gets stuck or overfaced before we even come to what I want to work on, I know we'll be taking a step back. If she takes off with flying colors, I'll switch it up and do something a bit more difficult. I'm never really all that committed to my "lesson plan," if you could even call it as such.

Chi and I tacked up in record time to try to catch the daylight, and then we were off! We went through the front gate this time instead of Reina's Clangy Gate of Doom nemesis, so she was a little unsure what all the fuss was about. Once we got out of the gate, though, she calmed right down and was all business. Smart girl!

Chi was having girth troubles (the horse she rode today was considerably fatter than her previous mounts), so Reina got a wonderful lesson in standing still while Chi messed with her tack. She stood like a pro, wasn't bothered at all, and even started grazing after a minute. I didn't mind, since she needs to put some fat on those bones anyways, and I was just happy she was comfortable enough to graze! Besides - she has no bit to get dirty - so what do I care if she munches?

And then, we were off! The sun started to set at the beginning of our trail ride. We almost turned back before it got dark, but I decided that it would be a good experience for Reina to be ridden at dusk. Miles, miles, miles! The more she does the easier everything else will be. So we went on ahead!

It was even prettier in person! :) I took this twisted around backwards.

So! Reina was even more relaxed. I really think she takes each ride to heart and then comes back and tries even harder the next time. She's so smart, and she catches on really fast. There are some things she's funny about - well, mostly, just one thing... stalls! - but she went past the scary flag whipping in the wind twice and she only stopped and looked once. She went on when I asked and everything! I was so proud of her!!

We trotted a bit on this trail ride too, and she wasn't sticky in her transitions at all. She was absolutely amazingly light. All I had to do was lean forward and tell her it was okay to go, and she would go! And when I did use leg, all it took was a squeeze or two and she would go forward. I'm trying to stay light so she can get used to responding without my really asking, and it's working really well so far. She's beginning to be able to anticipate when I'll let her go forward, or when I want to go forward. We need some work on light brakes, though, because I usually have to gather up and pull, but that will come with time! Baby steps!

Hm. Okay, pull is too strong of a word. But I do have to ask with my reins and not just my seat, which is what I mean. But she always responds when I ask with my reins; I don't really have to try all that hard.

Anyways! We cantered a little bit too, and we did so on the narrow part of the trail. She didn't trip or run us into anything, it was so cool! She was such a good girl.

We went through the pine trees today, and there were lots of fallen trees, but none more than about 6" in height or width. But they were scattered all over the trail, and Reina stepped over them like it was no big deal at all, and barely paid them any mind. This bodes well for when we start jump training with ground poles and such!!

Chi complimented my riding and Reina's progress again today. She said she doesn't even act like the same horse anymore, and that she and I obviously have a really great relationship. She said that Reina likes her, because she feeds her, and tolerates Nick, but that she really only responds to me. She said that it actually annoys Nick, because Reina isn't in love with him like all the other horses they have are, and it bothers him that she much prefers me! lol! I had no idea, but it explains a lot. He's not the most gracious or complimentary of my horse - he's not mean, just doesn't gush or anything. But he also hasn't worked with her like I have.

But it made me feel so great, to know that other people see what I think I feel with Rei! She's a sweetheart and I love that she picked me. Because make no mistake, she did! I really had no say in the matter. ;)

We got back when it was dark (hence the lack of pictures this time - sorry!), and I taught her a little bit about ground tying and standing for me. She didn't want to go into a stall because it was dark and scary (although she went in just fine earlier when it was light - breakthrough!!), so Nick kinda "herded" her in while I lead her. Remind me not to do that again. It got her inside, but she was all shaken up. I felt really bad afterwards, but I had to feed her away from the other horses!

But afterwards, Nick said that she was being stubborn. But she wasn't. I could see the fear in her eyes; that's not at all the same thing as stubborn. I think that's one of the reasons why Reina prefers me; I give her the benefit of the doubt. I don't want to say Nick doesn't listen to his horses, because he does, to a point; but I see things differently, I think. Clicker training has made me a much more positive influence!

But Reina... Reina tries her heart out for me, and I know this. Something must have happened in her past in a stall, because she's not stubborn (well, she is, but not like that) - she's really, truly scared of them. I can see it in her eyes and her body language. She gets tense and her eyes go wide and she never does that with anything else around me. I can see the change. Poor girlie! But we're working on it, slowly but surely, and it's getting easier every day.

So, overall, her trail riding is getting better and better and better, and she's just such a good girl! She was even so relaxed today that I was able to clicker train a bit at the beginning and end of the trail ride. I felt bad, though - I kinda forgot to do it on the trail. But I think she'll respond to it now that she has the hang of things, which is great!!

I'm such a proud mom. I'm so glad I have her!