First of all, a mini rant. My internet connection is really slow lately, so on some blogs, posting comments is an issue. There is a reason I use the pop-up option for posting comments on my blog; it's faster. When I am on a blog that uses the option to post the comm box below the post, I have to click on the "comment" button, then wait while the window with the blog post opens, then make my comment, then hit post comment, then wait for it to open in another window that adds the word verification, then do that and hit post comment again, then wait for it to cogitate and tell me my comment was accepted or is awaiting approval. Very time consuming folks! And one reason I don't post comments as often on those blogs. With so many good blogs to read, commenting takes a lot of time to start with, and that system really slows things down. Anyway, enough ranting!
I got to ride my Beamer today, bareback around the hayfield, practicing all the things Gail was teaching me about body position, arms, shoulders and wrists. When I got back, just for fun I practiced dropping the reins and getting him to spin. Woo-hoo! Try spinning with your arms held out, bareback. And then ask him to go faster. Yeah! That was fun! Then I worked on backing up without using the bridle. A little more difficult, but we did it. Beamer and Url are getting along really well, in fact I left the pen gate open while I went riding and Url contentedly stayed put- now how many cow critters will stay in a pen when the gate is open?
Chickory continues to be standoffish, and I've come to a conclusion about her. She got really sweet when Kai was born, and after he left, she reverted back to being suspicious of people, unless grain is involved. When I round penned her, she never got really soft, just barely allowed contact. Yesterday she would come about 10 feet away, stand there licking and chewing, but wouldn't give me that last little bit. I quit the session when I could touch her. That took 2 hours. So I'm wondering if this is a hormonal issue with her, on top of her natural inclinations. I had someone suggest to breed her next year to see if that settles her, which may not be a bad idea, but I'd like some input- especially from those of you who have worked with mustangs, as Chickory was basically a wild range colt when I bought her. How can I get through to her? How can I get her to trust me enough that I can walk up to her anytime, anywhere and catch her? All her experiences with being caught are good ones; she has never been abused, or worked too hard. She gets brushed, hand grazed, and if it's a day when I have time to work her, she always does willingly what is asked of her, and gets put up on a good note. She has me puzzled.
