Nanna

Today we waited for my mother in law, Becky, to come out until we went to see Gwin. She was coming to pick Zeek up for a sleep over, and so we invited her to meet our girl. She was happy to join us. 

Zeek didn't do ground work, because it was scorching hot outside. But he did ride like a cowboy! We played our Cattle Herding Game again, and I couldn't believe how well Gwin responded to him. She even went so far as to walk her own face into the bars for him??? 

When we was done he said he didn't want to get off yet. So he rode on his own a little. It was nice to just let him ride without any worries or over watching them. 

I also rode Gwin a little. I couldn't get her to lope in the round pen, and I realized she has never loped under saddle in the round pen. And then it dawned on me that I can't get her to lope on foot in the round pen.


Gwen was there, and she said that I should not care what makes Gwin unhappy about doing something I ask. I should just give her no other choice. 

But, having been down this road before, I held to what is true for me and my horse, and we backed up to ground level so I could watch and listen more closely to what was going on with her.  

She's really not a butt head, so for her to pin back and duck her head low at me when I ask her to lope in the pen just seems like something else is going on with her. 
Besides, I have seen her at defiant. It doesn't look like that. She stands her ground high and proud. She doesn't get pissy and stupid.  


So I took off her tack and free lounged her (Gwen's recommendation) with the stick and string. I was able to get her to lope for me, but she was getting fancy all over the place, tossing her self and even bucking a few times. One time she turned her back end right toward me and gave me double barrels. Of course, I was way too far away for her to have thought she was going to hit me, but she had something to say about it. 

My guess is she had an experience and isn't comfortable past a trot in the round pen. I think we can temper that out over time with repeat. Sweet girl. 
It was fun to see some spirt and spunk in her though. I always whoop and laugh proud when she throws herself around. She's so strong and beautiful and I just know it's got to be good for her, not to mention fun for all. :)

Becky got quite the show, and it was great stuff all around. She was proud of her little cowboy and they rode off into the not-quite-sunset for their overnight together. 

I'm glad she came. She was fun to have there, too.