11-15-2020

More Learning

Lilly eating the food I dumped out previously. Success! She likes the new food.

Cleaned her "plate"

Hand grazing in the field

"Oh, what is that?" Lilly says as she sees a horse ahead of her.

Amazing picture of her with her head up and standing so tall.

"It is cold and windy, I'm just going to sneak between you guys, okay?"

Pepper being a jerk.

"Moooooommmmmmmm"

"Mooommmm"

"Mamammamama"

"Mamamama"

"Mamama"

"Mama"

"Mama, did you see that? Pepper tried to bite me."

Today was a day of more learning. The weather was still pretty windy - but it was not storming so we were able to have a very nice morning session.

So when I arrived, Lilly was happy to see me. It is always nice when she is happy to see me. It took her a while to say "yes" empathically to the halter (ie standing still not moving) but she eventually did so we were able to leave the pasture. I just hung out with her and offered it to her. It is a great way for her to give her consent in wearing the halter.

So when we left I walked her over to her food and we worked on patience again. She was very fast to give me her eyes and ears so she got her food very quickly.

She is doing very well transitioning to her different food. She is getting used to her food and ate it all!

After eating we went for a walk. We have not gone on a walk since I feel down a few days ago. I needed to build my confidence back up as well as not be in so much pain.

This time on our walk I wanted to take her away from the other horses. So we went out the main gate and around the side where there is a LOT of dead, dry grass for her to graze on. She LOVES the dead, dry grass. She really liked this - but she also saw another horse out there and was nervous/excited about it. She was standing so tall I was able to take some really great pictures of her. The other horse was pretty far off so we just stayed our distance.

Then we went into the arena. The farm was very busy today (more people there than I have ever seen).

In the arena there was a lady riding her horse pretty fast doing maneuvers. There was also a 3 year old taking lessons with her family (Mom with little baby, grandma, and grandpa taking pictures) watching. So we stayed away from them (because of COVID as well as because Lilly is learning how to be around other horses when they are working like that). She did very well and had some licks and chews - but it was clear that she was on alert. Then when a 3rd person and their horse came in, I realized that I wanted to leave (because of COVID and because it was getting very busy for Lilly). So we left. I had wanted to let her off the lead rope so she could run around in the arena - but that was not in the plans for today. Than we had another walk up near the pasture and she got to "graze" on the fallen hay.

Back in the pasture we did some sleepy time bonding. She also did some bonding with Pluto and Beryll. At one point Pepper was a jerk and Pluto reacted and tried to bite Lilly - but I stopped Pluto by using my voice. Lilly came straight to me to tell me what Pluto did. It was very cute. Pluto did some bonding with me. It was a great end to a great session. Then she took a nap.

The evening session was much shorter. She consented to the halter much quicker. It was funny. When Della came over to say hi - Lilly gave her a funny face to say "hay that is my halter and my mom - you don't get to go with her to MY FOOD!" So I walked away so there would not be conflict and Lilly followed me. The wind was faster this evening - but Lilly seemed to want to put on the halter faster. So we did that than left the pasture to get her food. She did well with the food. She seemed to like the addition to her food today. But still didn't eat all of it. Then we headed back to the pasture and she got to graze on some hay.

She is learning how to listen when I ask her to stop grazing. She is also continuing to work on entering and exiting the pasture pivoting around me and the gate. She is doing very well. We are learning lots. I am proud of us! Great day!