Touch and Go

The last few days with Ruby have been touch and go. She is trying to bully me and it is a struggle to know the right thing to do. Gaining her trust and forming a bond is imperative. It is the groundwork that sets the tone for everything else. We are making progress little by little. She won't let me spray the bug spray on her, but I can now rub some on her face. She will let me brush her with a soft brush, and last night I was able to use the curry comb. She is very pushy though and likes to push into me, which is a bit scary. I have to learn to stand my ground, but I admit, I'm nervous. I'm sure that doesn't help. She can read my emotions even though my intentions are determined. Yesterday she reared up in her stall when I had her in a halter and on a lead, and tried to push me into the corner. I finally got pissed and gave her a smack on the chest. That definitely surprised her. It would have been comical if I wasn't in such a precarious position.

Putting on her halter and leading her in and out of the barn is getting better. I really need to get a riding crop. I need an extension of my arm to get her to move away from me. I let her out into the pasture on Thursday. She ran up and down for awhile getting the jiggys out. We kept the donkeys in the other corral for two days so that they could see each other over the fence. Yesterday we let them out together and the donkeys want nothing to do with her yet. They don't rush her like other horses would. She would start toward them and they would begin running with her trotting after. At one point it was a beautiful train of Pickles, JoJo, and Ruby bringing up the rear. I think in time they will like each other.

One thing I do like about Ruby is that she will come to me if I walk out into the pasture. I don't have to catch her which is a real blessing. She is very friendly and likes people. She will stand quietly while I put on the lead. Last night, after running around all day with the donkeys she was beat. She could barely keep her eyes open as I rubbed her neck. It was pretty funny. Rachel is coming over Wednesday for our first training session. We are going to do two weeks a month working on groundwork with Ruby, and two weeks a month me riding at the stables.