Tiffany and Ephiphanies...

Week two of horse ownership has been one of "Aha" moments for Tiffany and myself. Having your own horse at home and being responsible for her behavior is really a lot different than showing up at a barn once a week to ride someone else's horses, and being on your own when they aren't on their best behavior can be a challenge.

Tiffany decided last weekend that she did not want to walk on the lead rope. At the suggestion of her former owner, I put the lead rope through the noseband of her halter. And it worked-- for about 5 steps. Ms. Tiff had decided she WAS NOT going to lead. The problem for my four-legged friend is that she does not get to make such decisions- if we weren't going to walk forward, we were going to turn in circles until she decided to follow. After about 10 minutes of me turning her in circles, urging her on with the light taps of the whip (which I used as an AID, not as a punishment), her trying to get away, and then throwing a couple of kicks at the whip, she stopped. And refused to move again. I gave her a lead a couple of sharp tugs up and down, left and right, and a light bulb went off in her head-this human means business. She has been following me when she's on the lead every since.

I have to admit I was really nervous working with her that day-what if I couldn't get her to lead? What if she got away from me? What if she ran over me? (A legitimate fear as she weighs 1700+ lbs.) When I was riding growing up, people would say "horses can smell fear" and "don't be scared, they'll sense it and take advantage." For a while I was so caught up in not trying not be scared. But now I think that the important thing is that even though I was shakin' in my boots, I didn't let her or my nerves get the best of me.

The Round Pen (which is in the middle of the overgrown arena).

Today I took her up to the round pen-the session went well. I entered the pen knowing that it was going to be a learning experience for me and Tiff. She needs to learn my signals, my body language, and I need to learn what she already knows and what we need to work on. We kept the session short, and I ended it by brushing her and letting her munch on the green grass behind the barn.

I plan to work with her in the round pen for the next couple of weeks. Our neighbor loaned me her draft-sized saddle, so I'm hoping to have the courage to get on her tomorrow or Sunday. She hasn't been ridden much, so we'll start in the round pen, move out to the arena (when it gets mowed), and then onto wide open spaces. I've only ridden once in the last 10 years, so I'm hoping it won't take too long for my riding legs to come back.

Tiffany enjoyed munching on the green grass after her workout this morning.

Once the arena is mowed, we'll also start ground driving, and then move on to hitching her to the cart we have on loan. Once we're comfortable in that, we'll give my wagonette a spin.