progress!

Well, 3rd trailride is accomplished, and Twista is getting better each time. I had a setback earlier in the week riding bareback and falling off and then with her being onery about being back with her buddies. So yesterday before we left we lunged for about an hour out in the feild where she'd been so naughty last time- so she would associate that wanting to see her buddies was more work than it was worth. And it seemed to be working, she was licking and listening and doing very well. Then I took her to the yard and she got pushy to be with the buddies again, and even aimed her rear at me so then I really worked her till she figured out what was what and left her tied for a half hour till we left. So 2 hours of "detention" and then we rode without alot of fuss for most of the trailride. At the start she was nervous, and it was windy so she wasnt the only one at least, but an awesome lady ponied her for awhile before the ride started and that helped alot. Then her only thing was calling alot, and getting her face in other horses' rears. So I was checking her alot on that issue and making her wait. The pic is from the highway part of the ride, and she did so good with a car coming from behind and a bicycle from the front-which spooked the horse right in front of us into nearly colliding with us and a freind's next to me. My freind's horse reacted to the horse freaking out towards us, to get outta it's way but Twista just paused when the spooker got in her face, she didnt get sprung or anything and took a few steps sideways and saw the bike but went on as before. Lol, all those summer days of the kids riding bikes next to their pen cuz the ground is flat there has paid off this time. Plus she was tired too lol which always helps. And she got better at standing still, for the halfway point she settled after awhile and even let out a couple of sighs, so finally she's catching on that she can be patient and let someone else do the decisions for her.

The funniest part was when a couple girls asked Cowboy Todd,the trainer, if it was the same horse he'd taken to a ride 3 weeks ago (her first day ever off the farm, first ever trailride, so you can imagine how she was and her markings make her stand out so she cant hide in a crowd) . And he had the credit to say yes it was, so that was good advertising for him. He has done wonders with her.

Today I went out to visit her and she came over all licking and smacking so I'm very happy to see that. Later on I'll take her out and see how she does here. I had hoped to do that last nite but it was dark by the time we got home but the day had ended on a very good note. She has the potential and now just needs the practice.