Catching Up!

I think I like horses more than computers. I can see and usually fix a problem with  a horse, I can't seem to understand computers when they get troubled. Anyway, Sasha is great, my computer is not!

The last few weeks Sasha has proven herself to be quite the young and polite lady. She never tries to barge in a feeding time, she always stands tied perfectly, and she tries her heart out at figuring out the next thing I am asking of her. You can tell when she is trying because she always tests the thing first with her foot! Although her nose is usually right in there too. I was playing the touch it game the other day, for the first time, and it took a few tries on the first focus point, then she got so good at it she could touch a spot I was focusing on that was very specific. How do they do that? (Touch it game is when you focus on a spot or object and see if you can get the horse to put their nose on it, from a distance...)

We have been on quite a few trail rides and plenty of play in the playyard. The difference now from the first weeks is that she is willing now to go on her own and even be in front. The first time I took her on a trail, with 4 other horses, she would NOT go in front. Last time we went out, she was not only willing, but even asking to be first! However, she is still very willing to be in the back and doesn't seem to get upset even if she is getting a bit behind, which happens on the way home as she doesn't have a super speedy walk.

I've had all sorts of folks ride her and she has been a perfect girl for all of them. Actually mostly it has been the kids. The first day I'm not sure I noticed it, but the second time I am quite sure that she was even more careful when she knew it was a small person on the rope. One 12 year old student had not even ridden her this particular day, but just played with her on the ground for a few minutes, but she ended up untacking her for me. Well, she called out to me as she wanted me to watch Sasha. She had untacked and let her go in the field, but Sasha kept following her up and down the field they went, so cute.

I have trimmed her back feet twice now and she is so much better. She still has her moments, but she is picking up her feet with more and more trust and confidence every time, which is almost everyday...She does have a bit of grouchiness at the cinch. Probably stemming from the galling she got before she came her, but it could also be that my saddles are not fitting her to just her liking. They seem OK to me, but maybe she is more sensitive than I give her credit for. She has not had any bad reaction to the saddle when riding, but only at cinching. I have taken to going very slow for her, and when I have help, getting her to put her head down and ignore the process. Maybe it's also a bit of habit that we just need to change.

Sasha loves to stand around and get attention, more and more each day. She puts her head over the gate, when she gets to without the bullies pushing her away, and looks at you with her big eyes and it's hard not to just melt and hug her. I'm sure there is so much more left unsaid, but this little mare is very mature for 6. I can't imagine why someone wouldn't want her! Hopefully I will be fully up and running with my computer all restored and can get more pictures up here soon.