Ruby

Ruby and I are coming right along. I just can't describe the feeling I have when we are working together. Rachel came by two Fridays ago and we had our first lesson. She showed me how to apply the fly spray and how to work with her on the lunge line. Frankly, it was awful. I felt so clumsy. At one point I was holding the lunge line and Ruby got her head and took off running with me hanging on for dear life on the other end. Hello rug burns! The second time I thought, "Hell no!" and just let go. She went flying down the corral with the lunge line trailing behind. Luckily Rachel has the patience of a saint and just laughed and moved on.
I have been reading some books that are helping me to better understand horse psychology. I stopped forcing a lesson on her first thing in the morning. She is only two after all. A baby, and the morning lesson was leaving both of us tense and frustrated. Now I just let her out of her stall and wait until mid morning or afternoon to work with her after she has gotten some energy out. I learned that when confronted with something new, horses either fight or take flight. So, it is okay for Ruby to dance around when I apply the spray. Once she realizes that it won't hurt her, she will settle down. And that is exactly how it has been going. Each day she dances a little less. I can get the spray on her and I can even put on a fly mask. That she took to right away. There was no fighting and a lot of trust. Another thing that has happened is that my fear of her has gone away. I don't know if it is the steel-toed shoes, or the crop. Probably my gaining more knowledge has been the most influential. During Rachel's second lesson I finally "got it" when lunging. I know where to stand now and I know how to get her to move where I want her to. Now I am working with her by myself every day. I put on the fly spray and then do a little lunging. I do the twist from side to side, and back up and whoa. Today I introduced her to the sponge, water, and the sweat scraper. I picked a hot day so that she would enjoy it. I think she wanted me to keep going, so tomorrow I will do a little more. This week Rachel is going to bring out a grubby saddle and bridle and we are going to put them on her. I might be riding her a lot sooner than I thought!