Man, February went by pretty quickly.
We have a pretty laid back life around the farm. I've gotten more involved amongst the barn hands and I enjoy it. I've started rolling out hay bales, helping build fences, and riding horses for the farm owner, Rick. I feel a part of the family now, and that's the way I like it.
D and I are in a comfortable place together now. She still isn't QUITE where I want her to be, but she has improved dramatically over a short time. She backs up wonderfully now, and she has slowed down a little bit. She can still be a little too forward and fast, but now for the most part she doesn't try to gait or trot off with me. She just walks REALLY fast lol. Which is still annoying, mind you, but it's better than before.
We are still preparing for our first ACTHA ride, which is the end of April up in Bristol. She is picking up on leg cues slightly, just enough to help with her directions when backing up. I think I'm going to give up on neck reining her though. We ride in a Dr. Cook bitless, and the way that the bridle is set up, I think it's confusing her sometimes.
I went up to the sale with the guys last week, and came home with a horse. Oops! He is a walking horse, gelding. I've named him Aspen. He is a sweet, sweet baby boy. Ground manners to DIE for! I was incredibly surprised. He seems a little skiddish - when I 'met' him at the sale I had to approach quietly and slowly before he would let me touch him. He still flinches occasionally if he doesn't expect you to touch him. I have been on him once since I had him, and he is very smart. He learns quickly but he is very alert, you could say. He gaits incredibly well, and looks fantastic while doing it.
We think that Aspen may have cataracts, which is very sad. I don't know for sure yet, but it seems that way.
I don't have much else to share. Asking for your thoughts while we go through figuring out what is wrong with Aspen's eyes and continue to train for the Bristol ride.
