Still the basics

Christmas has come & gone with New Years right around the corner. Topaz still has her Christmas lights up and they may stay. They give a nice glow to her stall. I haven't worked her as much as I had hoped but other obligations have come up. All in all it's been a great year! Topaz has been a joy. We're still with the basics but the kicking has stopped. After being home for 2 weeks she now has abandonment issues when I leave. She calls to me and hopes I'll turn around and stay with her. She even has left her oats to follow me, chewing and dropping oats the whole way! (ok - if it was up to her I would never leave & sleep with her at night!!) I will have to go back to work so she needs to adapt. We are very behind with the fencing so another horse is not certain, but we will try our best so Topaz has company when I work.
The weather has been yucky and there's lots of mud! I am not a winter person and already look forward to spring. Topaz seems to take it better as most mornings she has fun running all around the house. Usually when it warms up a little I spend time with her. (I also get up at 5am to feed her & turn her loose - then go back to bed) She is very loving that early, but I think it's the oats! She is starting to like carrots some which are a lot better for her than "cookies" Topaz is just not into "health" foods LOL!
Topaz, Dixie, Dean & I hope everyone has a wonderful and lucky New Year!!

Topaz -- not a fan of snow! Who knew?! Here, outside of Austin Tx. we rarely see the white stuff so it's not a problem. Last Friday the weather was nasty and they were calling for snow. I waited as long as I thought I could to let it "warm" up before Topaz & I started our session. As luck would have it as soon as we got started it began to snow. Neither one of us were happy but I thought it would be a good time to reinforce who was boss! Topaz did well. She didn't like looking through the snow but did every thing I asked with a minimum of discipline. She is now letting me examine all 4 feet without pulling away. The thrush she had is gone without the vet. I'll keep an eye on it when we have more rain. Advancing in her training is on hold until Christmas break. At that point I will be working her every day instead of just weekends. I expect we will make a lot of progress.
We bought a barn heater for cold nights. (is she spoiled or what!) I now use her cookies sparingly when she is VERY good. She would be demanding very quickly if she got one every time I worked her. Right now we are working on the basics, trotting, walking, standing, and manners. Kicking IS NOT ALLOWED. Topaz is learning this with a little help. She sometimes decides to challenge me and see if I can really make her do what I want. Yes I can! but it keeps me on my toes. Speaking of which, I was working her back foot when she jerked it away and stepped on my toes. Steel toed boots -- a good thing to have on that day! makes me think twice about working in tennis shoes as I have in the past. Lesson learned and no harm done whew!!
It's always an experience!