Mild Winter Afternoon

I love the smell of wet grass while the sun is setting on a mild winter day. The sun just still above the hills and gives everything a soft warm light. I also love sunsets at the stables. Its my favorite time of day at the stables.

So today was the first time I've been out to the barn since last weekend. I was in for an unpleasant surprise. I was met with laid back ears and a sense of distance from both horses. I was slightly taken aback because I didn't know the source of this unkind welcome. I had never come across this before so while I went to go get the halters, my mind raced to think what I could do. I decided to just play Friendly and walk in with a big smile with some carrots and strokes and scratches.

Thank goodness my instincts were correct. After a few minutes of stroking Sharlie and Casper with my heart in my hands, their expressions softened and became positive.

Casper still had some left over negativity so I played friendly game with him. He grazed while I tossed the savvy string over his back, hindquarters and around his legs. Then I took the carrot stick and just rubbed him with it.

I played with Sharlie afterward. She keeps offering sideways and while thats not what I want, I took the offer. We managed to go sideways over a pole for the first time ever! I know I will never be able to do sideways on Sharlie's left side. She has to look at me, and when I keep asking her to turn her head away she goes RBE.  I hope that the person grading the Parelli Auditions won't mind.

I'll be back out tomorrow and hopefully for the whole afternoon on Saturday! Yay!

Naturally, Julia