I’ve been out of town for the past four weeks, and I’ve really missed Xena. Did she miss me, or just my carrots? Will she snub me like my cats did? Will she remember anything we learned together in the spring?
I’ve brought along a bag of Meadow Mints and 3lbs of carrots, in case chewable persuasion is required.
Xena seems to be trying to pull her fly mask off during turnout. She returned to the barn with one ear out of her halter. I checked the fit and it seems like the mask may be sitting too low on her brow. I’ve now threaded the fly mask velcro tab through the halter’s buckle, so the mask is more firmly attached to the halter. And, I’ve shortened the halter by one hole. We’ll see it this helps her keep it on.
What We Did Today
11:10 to 1:15 p.m. = 2 hours, 5 minutesCounting the Minutes We played in the outdoor sand ring and round pen.
- Friendly Game℠ scratching her fly bites and rubbing flies off her belly. I think she’s discovered a new use for me.
- Basic walking, stopping and standing together on the way to the sand ring – just getting used to each other again.
- Weave pattern with 12 sand pails.
- Yo-yo Game℠ between close-set pails.
- Circling Game℠ in the sand ring. We did quite well and she calmly trotted without becoming frightened.
- Liberty in round pen, just walking together, Friendly Game℠ and Circling Game℠. She turned in when I asked!
- Grooming in the barn aisle.
- We also played an extended version of our Grounded Rider game. I folded my arms across her withers and rested my head on my arms. She remained calm and relaxed.
Afterwards Xena was in her stall, with the stall door fully open, but there was still about 8″ of the door extending across the doorway. I was surprised when Xena pressed her nose against the door edge and aggressively shoved the door fully opened. The door actually rocked in its track for a moment! Barb said she’s not seen Xena do this before.
Xena's YouTube Channel