Lately I’ve been a bit lax when rubbing deer flies off Xena’s face and neck. Tonight the pests were especially bad while we played in the grass paddock. As I scratched one itch for her, she whipped her head up to scratch another, and inadvertently smacked me in the mouth. My glasses went flying and I could instantly feel a fat lip in the making. Fortunately my lip didn’t amount to much, but I did get a firm reminder to keep my head out of the line of fire!
What We Did Today
7:25 to 8:50 p.m. = 1 hour, 25 minutesCounting the Minutes
- Catching Game
I’m not sure if Xena saw me arrive tonight or not, but when I came out of the barn she was standing about 15 feet from the gate. I stood about 7 feet away and talked to her for maybe 30 seconds, and then stretched out my arm, stroked her nose and quietly attached the snap. It was so easy! We played Friendly Game℠ for a minute or two and then walked into the barn to everyone’s surprise.- Gelding’s Grass Paddock
The geldings are in their dirt paddock at night, so we’ve been using their grass paddock in the evening; until the bugs drive us out. We worked on Yoyo℠, Circling℠, Sideways℠ Games and the Figure 8 pattern. We’re doing better but I think the heat has become a bother, as neither of us is all that interested lately.- Quick Shower
Just a quick shower tonight, in the wash stall without our garden spray attachment. She seems to prefer the sprayer as the water is more gentle, than just my thumb to splatter the water.
Xena's YouTube Channel
Ugggg! Bugs! HATE ‘EM!
I’m glad you both were okay!
PeterC
Thanks Peter. I can hardly wait for the humidity and bugs to be over this summer. But, in a few months I’ll probably be complaining about the cold, dark days. So I guess bugs are better than snow! :)
I just want to say thank you for your support! I so badly want to say it on the Savvy forum, but I can’t. Just know, it means a great deal to me. I know the experiment will largely go un-noticed, by those that would rather post the “excuses” they have heard from traditionalists, rather than how they can comunicate with them. I love your pics of Xena, you have done a wonderful job with her and I am sure you are quite proud, as you should be. You have good instincts, and are a master slueth! ;)
TNC
You’re welcome! I learned a great deal by reading through your patient, tolerant responses on the forum*.
* Tongue~n~Cheek is a Level 4 Parelli student who hosted an open question and answer session on the Horse & Hound Forum. She generously invited anyone to ask her anything they wanted to know about the Parelli Natural Horsemanship Program. Over the course of 2 weeks there were over 450 postings, and Tongue~n~Cheek painstakingly answered each and every question. What began as horse owners on opposite sides of the fence, ended with a community of like-minded horse lovers, agreeing to disagree.
If you’d like to learn about the Parelli program, without the sales pitch, I really encourage you to check out Tongue~n~Cheeks’ posts.
Horse & Hound Forum – July 12, 2010