More homework

 Lyric is such a good girl. She's an old soul, like Flecky. And her and Flecky have the same head.. hence they are now dubbed Mr. and Mrs. Potatohead. :) (Meanwhile, Heathen 1 and Heathen 2 are out doing thug things). And she's trying to be the best girl. She nickers at me at feeding times. And she's snuggly. Now if we can just figure out the riding thing. And the trailering thing. 

Today I had the whole day off and the only thing I had to do was meet Kelli at 1:30 at Ashland to ride Dan. YAY! I hustled my butt and got all the things done prior to today so it was nice to chill. I slept in a bit. I fed ponies and did dishes and laundry and swept the house. Then I hooked up the horse trailer and then I was ready to work the girls. 

Funny was in the barn while the others were out grazing so I worked her first. We finished in the arena and the others were grazing in the corner, so I grabbed Lyric up there. I put the nylon lunging cavesson on her and we did our in hand pillar work. Then we did some lunging to see if I could get her to relax and use her back. Not really. Sigh. I'm not sure if I'm just not being as "aggressive" as I need to with making her really turn and use herself (like the book) or if she's not ready.. or both. I'm guessing mostly the latter, but maybe a little of both. We didn't do much, but... interestly, she did lick and chew both times as soon as we came back to the walk. And she's definitely MUCH less bracy, so.. yay. 

Then I put the bridle on and we practiced "under saddle" pillar work. Well, we practiced softening your brachiocephalicus when I lightly hold a connection. Ie.. her response to contact. That is a struggle still too, but we maybe made a little bit of progress. 

So then we put the halter back on and headed to the trailer. Luckily the herd followed us. She was good about going out of the pasture and didn't panic, even when Fleck went in the stall and screamed for her. Goober! We did no pressure positive reinforcement. I politely ask you to come into the trailer and for every step forward, click and treat. No pulling. No bracing. We managed to get the front feet on the ramp almost every time, but the back feet were tougher. And she would paw and just barely get the front foot on the crack between the ramp and the trailer, but... she was trying. I finally got one back foot on the ramp so I rewarded and backed her off and we quit for the day. 

Then I hosed off her leg. Somehow she slipped or something and scraped up her fetlock, coronay band and pastern on her right hind. She was a little naughty but let me get her cleaned up and spray it with wound stuff. I also cleaned her teats. 

Then time to go ride Dan!