Wednesday (bareback day)

   Wednesday was a super fun day.  I got to the ranch later than normal due to school registration, but luckily it was super overcast so the weather was fantastic and super cool.  I pulled Phoenix out and she did great with her hooves being picked out even with the tractor on right by us and I decided to ride her bareback.  I worked on flatwork for a little bit and her trot was nice and smooth in both directions and I am sitting them better.  I got her to pick up both correct leads and I felt like I was moving with her while we were loping and it felt really good.  Then we worked on barrrels for a little bit (she broke down though due to lack of pressure) and that was super fun.  I had to hold onto her mane with my opposite hand while we turned because she whipped around so fast I almost lost my balance haha.

   After our super awesome workout, I hosed my girl off and mucked out stalls.  I got to use the polaris and it was my first time backing it up into the barn so it took a little bit but I will get better at it with time.  

Parker saying "pet me!  pet me!"

Tuesday

   Today started out with groundwork.  I worked on desensitizing Phoenix from the rope by swinging it around and plopping it on her and even lunging her with it hooked around her butt.  She was doing well but I knew that what she was mostly scared of was pressure from the rope.  So I put on her saddle and I hooked the honda around the saddle horn and I secured the other end of the rope around a plastic barrel.  I let Phoenix run herself around with the barrel following her until she calmed down and realized that it wasn't going to hurt her.  She scared me when she attacked the fence but it only took a few minutes before she realized that the barrel wasn't out to get her.

   Next I put on Phoenix's headstall and my spurs and worked with her on flatwork.  Everything went well and I worked Phoenix through her gaits and worked on her headset and giving to the bit.    

   I untacked my girl, hosed her off, and put her back into her stall where I read to her for a little bit until my dad picked me up.  

   Here are some of the fresh scars I left Phoenix with at the ranch today.  Good thing she isn't an English show pony haha.  

Monday

   Monday started off a little crazy with Phoenix.  I took her out and brushed her down and then went to go pick her hooves but she kept freaking out and pulling back and trying to jump over the hitching post and stuff.  It ended up being too dangerous for me to pick her hooves so I used a lead rope to pick up her hooves.  She started out freaking out but eventually she calmed down and I was able to pick them up with a lead rope, clean them out, and then place them down with the lead rope.  I don't know where this fear is coming from but I hope I can get rid of it.  Phoenix cut herself up a little so I put polos and bell boots on her front feet before I tacked her up and took her into the arena.

   I wore spurs and I worked Phoenix though all of the gaits for awhile until she gave me her head (She was fighting quite a bit though) and then I took her through the barrels at a walk, trot, and lope.  

   Here are some videos of us trotting the pattern and loping in both directions.

   I exchanged Phoenix's bridle for a halter and worked on desensitizing her from the rope and flag that always freaks her out at then end of the arena.  It's for training horses how to work cattle but Phoenix is just scared of when I move the rope.  She was nerous at first but got better as I slowly serpentined her closer and eventually she was ok and she was able to go up to the rope and flag.  Robin even ad the flag moving back and forth and had us following it.  

   I cooled Phoenix down, hosed her off, and put corona on her cuts.  Hopefully tomorrow goes better with the whole hoof thing.