There's never a dull moment! - Lily's Log #18

Today, like every other day, Lily provides both insight along with comic relief that is unmatched by any other horse I have ever met.

We began with some on line play where she was very engaged and playful. I have discovered that to combat the mouthiness and create a game for her, I simply have to throw an alfalfa pellet (for simplicity herein referred to as "cookie" lol)  where I can still find it and then use one of the games to send her to it, creating an instant reward for following my suggestion! WOW! What a change in her attitude! I finally realized that it was never about the "cookie" (insert a "DUH" for me here!), but for Lily it was about the puzzle of finding and getting the cookie. Hmmm....how interesting! She was being so good, that I went over and stood on the big rock that I use as a mounting block. Well, let me tell you, she swung her hip around and lined right up for mounting! WOOHOO! All it takes is me standing up there and a simple "cluck" sound and she is ready. I leaned over her and petted, gave her a cookie, and leaned back. We did this a few times, more for my confidence than hers, and then started committing my weight to her. Everytime she moved and I came off, I had her yield her hindquarters so that, hopefully, it will ingrain the pattern that when I come off, she yields, and waits for me. I was finally able to get on and stay on and ask for a few steps, which she did beautifully! She never once offered to buck or do anything naughty! YAY! She was getting fidgety from standing still so long (like a true 3 yr old LBE/RBE!) so I sent her out on a few big circles. We struggled a little with her maintaining her responsibilities, but were able to work through it without either of us getting upset. Progress is good!

       After one good, quality lap, we stopped and Mom and I started getting together the horses' dinner. Mom had opened the small gate that blocks the narrow alley between the barn and the corral (a poor design by the previous home owner), not thinking much of it. None of the horses had ever even thought of going through it...at least not before! We went in the barn to mix up the supplements and when I came back out to give the mini his, I couldn't find Lily. I thought "no way!" but I looked down the alley and there she was, at the other end, looking at me like "what?". Mind you, this alley is about 20 INCHES across at the the narrowest point and about 25 to 30 feet long! I can't even walk through it without going sideways! And, there is a beam that goes across the top at one point that is only about 7-8 feet high! Talk about a squeeze! Her hips had to be touching both sides the whole time. Silly little mare! The craziest thing was that as soon as she saw me and I called her, she started trying to come back throught the same way! She ended up snagging her hip on the left side enough that she didn't want to try and went through the dog's yard looking for another way around. By the time I walked around the barn, she was in front of my step-dad's firetruck where all the extra vehicles are, trying to figure out how to get back into the corral. As I rounded the corner, I called her and I could see Lily's head pop up and her ears lock on the sound of my voice. She walked around the cars and as soon as she saw a straight path, trotted right to me! She followed me all the way back to the corral throught the yard with the happiest expression on her face! I am so pleased with the quality of the relationship that we are developing. I always worry if I am doing the right thing for her, and a lot of times I feel like I may not have enough skill to teach her everything that she needs, in the ways that she needs. Seeing her respond so confidently and willingly to my leadership makes me so proud to be her partner. These are the days that dreams are made of!