They're the daughters of a friend of mine. Not *my* kids--I'm still too much of a kid to want any of my own yet
They are precious tho!
Pony has been amusing this week. She really doesn't like the kiddees much. When I took her over, she had only ever been caught/handled for a lesson--and ridden English in a Western bridle, sigh. She was VERY unhappy with people in general. She'd shrink back into her stall when you tried to pet her. She didn't want to be touched, talked to, anything. She was terrified of water and wouldn't even get on the washrack (although that was when I learned that actually, yes, I *am* stronger than she is!)
I spent quite some time trying to make friends with her. I'd make her get up on the washrack, groom her, and let her go...I'd bring her treats for no reason but make her let me pet her before she could have them. Now, when she's loose, she often walks up to me to be scratched...a couple of days ago I wouldn't pay any attention to her (I was busy!) so she stuck her head in my lap. She's still not thrilled with the kiddees, but she seems to have decided that I'm okay
A couple of days ago I hopped on her back to ride her through the mud on into the barn. She plodded on forward; when we got nearer to the barn (at least solid, even if wet) I clicked at her a couple of times & leaned forward, and she charged! It was too funny. She was quite happy to run around with ME on her back. Silly girl.
She needs some re-schooling because the person(s) before me who used her for lessons didn't really know what they were doing. She was ridden English in a Western bridle, she was allowed to get away with all sorts of naughty tricks (dodging out of jumps such that her little riders fell off! refusing to keep on the rail when ridden, having to be yanked around to turn...) I've got the students riding better (phew), but she still needs a little work. I think maybe I can do it
if she seems this happy about me being on her back. I suppose it'll need to be bareback
but no problem.
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