Update on the Unhappy Appy

[Unbridled]

Or now I guess I should call her the "not-so-unhappy" Appy! Sugar has continued to steadily improve. She is now perfect at the first five Parelli games and is, as my instructor says, "joined up." The last time I did join up with her she went four laps around the arena (as happy as could be--no tantrums!) and then the moment I went into "passive" posture she came right in to me. My instructor says I no longer need to do join up and that as soon as we perfect the last two games in the Parelli Partnership level then I can begin riding her again. Since she has progressed so rapidly so far, I don't think it will be much longer at all! :D Of course, we will be starting out slowly and backing off any time she seems unhappy....but I'm very very pleased!

Also....my girl has gone barefoot! After losing the third shoe in as many months (always the same shoe--right front) I got tired of the whole thing and told my farrier to just pull them off. She was only shod on front anyway. So he removed the shoes and gave her a good barefoot trimming and now she is three days into being completely "natural." Despite dour warnings from my YO (he swore she'd go lame and I would regret pulling off the shoes) Sugar has done fine. A little ouchie on gravel, of course, but perfect on dirt and grass, and she is still sound. And in the arena you literally cannot tell any difference at all. My farrier says her feet will probably toughen up so I can trail ride her fine, but if not there are some new styles of Easy Boot which work great on trails and are only about $120 a pair.

I went to get my girl from the pasture this morning and she was with the herd at the far end, grazing. When she saw me approaching she trotted up, seeming very happy to see me. Since she's been following me lately, I decided not to attach the lead rope, but see if she would follow me back to the gate. And guess what? She did! All the way across a 30 acre pasture, leaving her buddies behind so that she could be with me! She's like a different horse already.

I love Natural Horsemanship! :D :D :D

[tinas baby]

thats awsome my amre would not do that if i tried shes a little brat but good for you

[CrazyDaisy]

I have been thinking of getting a pair of the ez boots for heavy trail riding days. So they really work?

[Unbridled]

I have been thinking of getting a pair of the ez boots for heavy trail riding days. So they really work?


They seem to work great. I haven't bought mine for Sugar yet, but my NH instructor puts them on her Morgan every time she takes him out and she's never lost one yet nor has he gone lame. These are a new design; they look almost like a sneaker and have this little dial on them instead of the snap-down; they are also padded. You have to be careful for measure your horse's feet before you buy them, though because if they don't fit right they rub or you might lose one. My farrier did Sugar's for me and he said she's a size two, which is about average, I think. They last about 600 miles, which for $120 a pair is a pretty darn good deal.

[horsecrazychick]

Aww that's awesome. My pony will follow me around, respect me, do all the parelli games and everything, but then when she has the choice of listening to me and listening to our old boss mare Roses- she listens to Roses. :rolleyes: I guesss you can't blame her though- grumpy old Roses is pretty mean! She's old, buts he can still kick, bite, lunge, and buck! :D Good luck w/ your pony! ;)