Monday November 22, 2010
Just a quick update from this morning’s training session.
- It was cold.
- It’s still snowing.
- The wind was nasty. It made me grateful for the beautiful St. Andrews arena.
- The mares are continuing to do wonderfully well with their training under saddle.
- I had the fun of riding LT today. She is starting to move forward with confidence, and her turns and whoas are coming right along as well. I felt quite comfortable and relaxed, and I was pretty sure she did too.
- She didn’t even spook when Cec fell over a mounting block as she concentrated on videotaping instead of walking.
- I felt bad that I didn’t warn her about the block, but I honestly didn’t realize it was there.
- Considering how hard I was laughing, I don’t think she believed me.
- LT was laughing too. I could tell.
- Dolly did well also, and got what is possibly her first look at children, who were visiting the barn with their mom, a boarder.
- She was fascinated, teetering on the edge of nervous, although she didn’t react at all badly. After a short while, we opted to allow her to get used to them without the additional stress of a rider.
- Of course, it’s possible that she just didn’t recognize them as small people, what with the parkas and snow pants and hats and boots and scarves and mittens. They hardly looked human – more like mobile swishy upright piles of fabric with squeaky voices.
- We drank more hot chocolate.
- That is all.

It’s wonderful to read about the training that’s going on. I’m so glad that these mares are being given a second chance at a good life. I’m looking forward to hopefully seeing some video of the training.