Saddle time

This is the first time for Topaz to have a saddle on her back. She did really well! Of course she did have to taste it to see if it was edible. Next weekend I hope to cinch it up. I had her walking around some with it loose but didn't want to do to much in case she spooked and it fell off. We have had a fair amount of rain lately so her workouts are not as much as I would like. The corral turns into a mud bath. She spends as much time skating as walking!! She is great now with having her hooves cleaned. After she lifts the first one and I'm done with it, before I walk to the next one it's bent and ready to be lifted up. (even her back feet!!) She greets me at the gate every night. Unfortunately, Lucy; after 16 years, is no longer with us and the gate greeting is a little empty without her.
Topaz's training is going well enough that I am (at this point) planning to adopt her a companion in the spring. I think a gelding yearling. That will mean an on going blog training both of them. It should be interesting!

We went to Houston this weekend to pick up the next lesson for Topaz. It was kind of weird because I had to make an appointment for Sat. when a "saddle specialist " would be there. We had a hard time finding the place because there was no signage. I thought we were going to a store but it turned out to be a warehouse. The suite had the number listed but not the name. My appointment was set up for 11:00 (on the dot!) I was told on Friday when I called to confirm. I sat on the steps while Dean tried to call to see where they were. A guy showed up and said he was with Hilason so I went in to see what they had. He said the appointment was for 11:30 hence the mix up. It was overwhelming!! Racks & racks of saddles most of them treeless! He didn't give a lot of info but said look around and find one you like. He did come back with a list of saddles the size that I thought I wanted. I ended up with a bigger size because I liked the looks and I'm not sure exactly how saddles are supposed to fit. All in all it ended up a good day just kinda weird. I also got a saddle pad that has inflateable sections to keep the saddle off of Topaz and make it more "horse" friendly. It's a cool concept so we'll see how it works.
Also I worked her out of the corral and it went well!! We have had a lot of rain so the corral is a mud bath!! I decided to take her out of the corral and work her a little. It went very well. I actually worked her twice that day. She was confused at the start but soon fell into the routine. I didn't lunge her for long because she churned up the ground so fast. Good to know that I can work her out of her "space".

Yahoo!! Rodeo time

Last Friday while working with her hind feet Topaz got spooked by a clear plastic bag that was blowing in the wind on the property next door. I had a lead tied to her foot and didn't want that to slap her other foot and spook her more. The training of making her stand on command paid off! I had to remind her a few times to "stand" but it worked and I was able to remove the lead off her foot. Since she was still spooked by the bag I left her in the corral and went over to get the bag. She watched me the whole time as I brought it back for her to see. I waved it at her & let her sniff it then brushed it on her sides. She realized it was not a monster so then she had to try to eat it. Everything ends up being tasted!! I did take it back before it was actually eaten.
Later that afternoon (when she was out of the corral) she was laying down in the shade chilling. I approached her from the front where she could see me and sat down with her. Topaz made no effort to get up as I was sitting there petting her. WOW!

Last night coming home was a bit more interesting than normal! Topaz heard the truck and ran out of the corral across the yard. With a swift turn she came running to the gate but Lucy was also headed for the gate. Topaz seemed to dislike this and started kicking at Lucy with both hind feet!! Now, Lucy is 16 and not that fast so I was very concerned about her getting kicked. I was trying to stop Topaz but she kept going after Lucy. I yelled at Topaz to get her to stop and she decided to kick at me! I closed the corral gate the second time she ran in, the first I wasn't quick enough. Then her and I proceeded to have a work out!! I kept her trotting and walking around the corral on command until I felt she remembered who was boss. Not her!! This shows me that I can't put off working her outside of the corral any longer. She needs to learn her manners on the outside too! Tonight when I get home I'll be ready and not have a repeat of last night. We'll see how it goes.

Peek-a-boo

The training with the pink blanket continues. I'm very surprised that Topaz lets me cover her whole head! As you can see in the other picture pink is not her color and so off it comes. She does like chewing on it any chance she gets.
I've been unable to find a large ball. I guess it's too late in the season to buy one but I'll keep looking.
Topaz is getting used to my work schedule and now comes to the gate to greet me. It's a race between Lucy and Topaz to be the first to say "Hi" to me!
I'm now looking in to saddles. I think Topaz and I might both benefit from a treeless saddle, but I need to be more informed before I make that choice. I feel that She will take to the saddle well in the corral, I'm just not sure of her reaction outside of the corral.
Having her for 17 weeks and not training her every day I am amazed at how far she has come!