Good Girl Gidget

I didn't know what to expect after giving Gidget the weekend off...but sure didn't think I'd be able to walk up to her, no halter or anything, and scratch her shoulder! I was beyond amazed. Of course, Jenn and Mary got there an hour or so before I did and worked with her, so that could have something to do with it. Mary even had her wearing a saddle pad...maybe I will be riding soon - NOT! We've got lots of work to do before we get to that point, like picking up her feet and being able to brush her all over. I will definitely intensify the sessions this week though, only two more months until the show. But considering that only a week ago she was striking and kicking, we've made massive strides!

Getting Better!

Gidget was a very good girl today...we worked some more in the round pen, she listens and responds to my voice commands, turns into me and moves out nicely. Then I brought out my super secret weapons, good ole' Roxanne and peppermint apple snacks! With that killer combination, I was able to get my hands on her...only for a touch, but I touched her nonetheless. And wonder of wonders, she didn't die :) She's also figured out that I'm the sweet feed goddess, and that she must eat her handful from her bucket while I'm standing there...again, she didn't die from it, so it must be ok. With progress like this, I should be riding by next week...yeah right!!

flying pads are scaaaawwwwieee!!!

well i am feeling MUCH better this week, so i have sent my trusty assistant mary away so i can bond with Ruger. Weworked on the scary flying pad today...she wasn't going to have it anywhere near her in the round pen, so i put her back in her stall and flung it on her until she decided that it wasn't going to eat her...and she actually was living after it landed on her. she finally stood still and let me swing it up on her back 4 or 5 times so i called it good! She's going to be such a cool horse when she's done and broke. My dad even likes her and he's not even a horsie person! :)


Gidget was civil with my mom today. they played cat and mouse in the round pen, and my mom sqeezed her in her stall and brushed her. She was petting her neck adnd cheek and Gidge actually leaned into her hand once so my mom called it good for today! :)

not a whole ton of progress, but progress none the less.

until tomarrow!
-Jenn

Mustang Fairy

Ok, so the Mustang Fairy came down and bonked Gidget on the head...or something. She was a completely different horse today...she walked on the lead rope like she'd been doing it forever, let me get somewhat closer than before, and just generally acted like a normal horse! I know there's still going to be a lot of hurdles, but I think maybe something has clicked. Hooray!!!

time for a photo upload!

-Gidget-

-Ruger-
(with mary working on saddle pad sacking out, and my broke self holding her)

-OUR FIRST TIME OUT! :) Roxanne& my mom(left) Ruger & me(right)-

More Work

I want to thank everyone who gave me links and advice on how to proceed with Gidget. I went over alone tonight (Jenn's still not feeling or moving that great) and put her in the round pen. She does listen to my commands, stopping at "whoa" and turning in to me, and keeping an ear on me when moving. It's just the approaching that's giving us trouble. I did pick up a bamboo pole (actually it's a piece of pvc, but it works) and after our round pen work, I put her back in her stall and worked on touching her with the pole. She did accept scratches on her shoulder without striking out, so I quit with that. We didn't work a long time tonight, but I feel better about it. Maybe she just has a small tolerance level and once that's reached she explodes. So we'll just work up to it, and I've decided that if all I'll be able to do at the competition is lead her in the arena, so be it.

it leads!

Ruger was fantastic today! i cant say enough cool things about this mare..and yes..i'm buying her back! haha! you just try and out bid me. :) we got lead out of our stall and around the ranch! she seemed to really relax and enjoy her time out in the sunshine with roxanne. we got the normal saddle pad and saddle treatments today with awesome results! no flinching or sweating! :) we are making big time progress in just two days. i'm so proud of her.


Gidget on the other hand is a flaming beyotch...and i say that in the nicest way possible. she struck out at me (ears pinned, nostrils flaring) and caught me on the arm..nice bruise by the way. That isn't the first time she has done this to myself or my mom and i've had about enough of it. This mare is very hateful to people...to be honest, I don't want my mom or myself getting hurt. we are doing this for the fun of it...there is a part on the form that states if the horse is untrainable, it is to be returned. I'm suggesting she get a replacement horse.


oh well, heres to hoping they will still let me mom compete-
-Jenn