Neighborhood Tour

Small saddle/pony or large horse/small saddle?

What’s going on in this trailer?

Arrow helping with rope confidence

Enjoying the sun and 60s before snow comes tonight!

Had a lovely time with the mares today. Mary isn’t sure she wants to be caught right off, so Arrow helped me guide her into the round pen from the paddock. I’m always in a bit of awe at Arrow, the way that she seems to understand what is needed (or how to get what she thinks she needs). On the first night Mary and donkey were here, I came out for the night feeding and I only saw Arrow. I called a few times and finally spotted Mary Berry and the donkey. They were locked in the roundpen. Arrow had somehow pushed the panel gate closed and had the new kids safely out of the way. She’s quite a character and I love her. Today her coat started to shine in the sun and feels much softer - daily grooming and some extra vitamins or maybe all the co-grooming she and Arrow do.

So back to today - Mary got in and out of the trailer beautifully. We started working on that for the first time today since arriving, so I called it quits after one loading and went out for a ride. Mary wore a child’s western saddle. CHR obviously did some good work with her on the pad and saddle as she quickly was calm and good with the girth. I worked on disengaging her hind end and asking MB to step up so her head is at my knee. I found that turning Arrow around Mary and making her move her shoulders around for a sort of turn on the haunches really helped. I also had worked earlier with her on stepping forward and that helped with the ponying and helping her understand that she shouldn’t drag behind Arrow but stride out beside her, head at my knee.

Before I go any further, I must say that having a steady riding horse makes ponying such a pleasure and a real asset in training. Helpful to lean over Mary from Arrow’s saddle and have her here talking from above and moving the saddle a bit etc. We walked and trotted around the field, down the Highline Canal trail and down into the dry canal as well. Mary is doing great with piles of leaves and going under branches and through brush. She’s a delightful little lady. She is getting good with bikes and cars and strollers. We cooled down with a walk through the neighborhood during which time Mary and Arrow delighted THREE groups of kids (and got carrots) and walked past garbage and a tree-triming trucks. Again, because Arrow is not afraid, I can feel Mary Berry thinking “ok, I guess I don’t need to be afraid either, that’s cool”. It’s also a lot for Mary, so we kept the ride to mostly walking and about an hour. I can see that Mary starts to be a little tired mentally from all these new experiences. However, like a healthy kid, she’s soon ready to play again.

Mary is constantly chewing and licking, showing her understanding, and though she is patient while we stand and talk to neighbors, her little mouth is always looking for something to lick or nibble or bite- like my stirrups. Sometimes she rests her head on my leg. I feel so grateful to have this little horse to train and learn from. I really hope her long term family is out there!