There hasn't much in the way of new. Topaz continues to do what I ask. The reverse is down pat. In fact if I'm just hanging out and she is in the corral she will line up in hopes that I will ask her to reverse a couple of times. (she knows at the end I always have a treat for her) Food will motivate her like nothing else!!
We did have Whitney, one of the Thetas; come out to photograph Topaz for a photography class. Topaz, as usual, wanted to taste her camera. I did find out that Topaz is not safe loose with strangers. Whitney was waiting by a tree while I moved a dead branch with the tractor. Topaz went over to her (again to get the camera) and when Whitney went to back up Topaz struck out with her front foot. I yelled NO!! and she stopped but I got Whitney back on the tractor by me. I will not take a chance like that again! When I don't have a hold of her if people are around she will have to be in the corral until I can figure out how to train her to be safe. With Topaz it's ALWAYS!! something but it keeps it interesting and me on my toes!

YAHOO!! Topaz is no longer contagious. We are now back on a working schedule. She has been very good so I think she missed the interaction we have. The last 3 times I worked her she lifted all four feet when asked & stood patiently while I filed her hooves. She is doing well on the reverse and I can sit on her from either side, although I am more comfortable on her left side when mounting. She is looking well fed and doesn't really need oats but I don't think I can convince her of that! She is definitely food motivated! Hopefully now we can make more progress forward now that work has slowed and she is over the ringworm. She loves it when I'm out on the tractor. She has company while she grazes and she gets to look at what ever I'm doing. When I'm knocking over cedar she always checks out the hole. On a web site for training horses they said only a confidant horse will be curious. That being the case then Topaz is one extremely confidant horse!

Training has come to a screeching halt! Topaz managed to get ringworm, ugh!! The vet said she could have gotten it from a cat, dog, deer, or just about anywhere. I can't touch her without gloves. I have bathed her twice in a sulphur solution with one more time to go. After I bathe her all equipment goes in a bleach solution. I have been dodging her inquisitive nose going on 2 weeks. This weekend she will be out of "quarantine" I think I missed the affection more than her but who knows for sure. The one positive is that Topaz does really well when I douse her using a sponge. I can even get her ears! The rotten egg smell doesn't seem to bother her at all. I do have to keep her from sticking her nose in the bucket. The first bath she stuck her head in the bucket when my back was turned. I think she must have gotten some in her mouth because she went to the water trough and rinsed her mouth out about 5 times! The only thing is she kept going back to stick her nose in again! Maybe she just couldn't believe that a bucket could hold something that bad! I'm anxious to get back to her training which should be on the 29th.

I'm not sure what happened to September! It's already Oct.4! Work has been keeping me very busy and won't let up until Nov. I'm still not as far along riding as I would like to be. I have backed off on riding her & am working on other ways to train her. Topaz lines up along my mounting "stand" very well so I thought it would be good to have her learn to line up in the opposite direction. In my mind a good command would be reverse because I want her to reverse her position. On Sunday Sept. 26 I decided to start training this. After 1 session I felt that she understood what I was asking. Monday evening she reversed her position when I asked her to. I was amazed! The rest of the week I didn't have time to do anything. I leave before light and get home after dark. Friday I had some quality time with her & I concentrated on the saddle. Getting her to line up & reverse with the saddle on took a couple of tries but it worked. Then Sunday evening I went over the corral panels & she immediately lined up with out a command! I then told her reverse so she did. Then another reverse when asked! I think Topaz REALLY wanted the apple pieces I had for her!! She is definitely food oriented. Call her anything but late for dinner!!

Whew!! Rush is over & I can finally start working Topaz again. Today was the first day in about 2+ weeks and she was great! I was able to do all four feet with only 1"no". When I was working on her hind foot something spooked her. I think it was the buzzard that landed on a nearby electric pole. She jerked her foot from me and ran to the other side of the corral. I calmed her down, led her back and finished her hoof. At least she didn't kick out at me. After her hoof was done I went to the house to get a radio. Topaz seems easier if there is a little more noise then just the birds. If Dean is in the area working on something that is enough. With just me she tends to listen to every sound more intently. It seems like more noise = larger "herd" = safety. I was a little unsure about riding her after the time off and how jumpy she was but decide to try. It went very well. The first round she made a noise (the one she makes before bucking) but a correction with the lead settled her down. Then, after her treat; I went for another round. This went better as she went all the way around without stopping. She actually passed the mounting spot & was continuing with no effort! I told her to stand, slid off and told her how wonderful she is. Then we took a walk up to the front so I could take a picture of the stain job Dean did while I was working. Together we had put up the horse shoes with the solar lights. I really think it's a great fence but I'm also really glad it's DONE!

It's only 10 days since the last entry but a lot has happened. Topaz did buck me off two days later. I was doing well but pushed her a little too hard. When I came off it was on the railing and made a lot of noise. I think it also scared her, but then I was back to square 1. The following day I sat on her then later in the same training session I asked her to walk. She took two steps and that was enough. Now every day we go further. I am almost up to where I was before. Topaz still will, occasionally; try to get me off. I use a hard yank on the halter and she changes her mind. Yesterday on the first ride we went 2 times around the corral without her trying to dump me off. The next ride wasn't as "clean" but she still did okay.
Now it's been a lot longer (today is the 8th) and things are going well. I have been riding her a little every day. I usually lunge Topaz a fair amount before I get on her, but today I was on her back maybe as long as I lunged her. She is really doing well! I rode her around dismounted, then took her back to my "stand" and remounted. She did very well. She is walking further with less objections. I'm glad to have her as far along as she is since starting tomorrow I won't have much time with her for the next 3 weeks. (I'm back at work)
Sometimes her curiosity cracks me up. We were putting in the last gate while she was loose. Since it was an inner gate I thought it would be a good lesson for her. Topaz is learning not to eat my truck while we work on things. Well, after we used the tractor to dig the 4 holes for the gate, it was late enough that we wanted to finish the next day. Topaz came over to see what we had done. She sniffed at the dirt we had dug up & chewed on a couple of rocks. Then she decided to check out the holes. Sniffing wasn't enough. She went down on one knee to stick her head in the hole up to her eyeballs! I would have loved to get a picture of that! A friend of mine explained that to Topaz it was probably a bucket in the ground that might have something good in it. We did keep her away from the posts after the cement went in to give it time to set up. She continues to amaze me and keep me entertained! She is a lot of work but well worth it. I look forward to another adoption. Dean is also designing a covered arena for me so I can work "them" in out of the weather. First we have to rearrange the corral I have now to accommodate 2 horses. We have a shed we are going to move and turn into a tack room. Always something!

The fence is finally done!! Topaz now has 15 acres to graze down. She isn't too sure about the new found freedom. It is kinda scary to be by herself with all that room. When we drive up front from the house she follows eating all the way. She doesn't like to loose sight of us & will run to catch up. She has been able to get out the last week but still prefers to hang by the house if I'm home. I'm hoping she will get more used to it & wander more.
Her training is going very well. I now ride her every day for short periods of time. She is learning to turn and to start walking with leg pressure. I am using a halter & lead rope only. Topaz is very good about the lead being thrown over her head. Since I'm only using one lead for now I have to toss it over to pull for direction changes. Sometimes my throw isn't as good as should be & it lands on her nose:( She just stands there until I fix it. Working with her every day has made a big difference. I'll be sorry to loose this when I go back to work.
I'm still going bare back. I like the way I can feel what is going on with Topaz. If she is getting skittish I can feel her muscles tense up and can get off in a hurry if needed. So far that has only happened once. She is accepting me on her back really well. I will continue to ride her as often as I can once work starts. We still have a long way to go.

This is me(on the left) letting Topaz get used to my weight. In the background is the over turned water trough that I use as a mounting block. Not elegant but it works! She isn't skittish at all with me sitting on her. A few days later (picture on the right) I went for my first "ride" very thrilling! It was a short time as I am trying to take "baby steps" and not over whelm her. We have now had quite a few days of rain which has slowed the fence building and working with Topaz. We have the vet visiting on Tuesday. We will give Topaz a tranquillizer to keep her calm. Dr. Kevin said he is waiting for the day when I would ride up on Topaz, he would give her a shot, and I would ride away. Yeah --- I'm waiting for that day too, but not holding my breath LOL She is doing VERY well I think. We would be further along if it wasn't for the trainer not always knowing what she's doing!!! We will definitely be getting her a "friend" next spring. Then starts a whole new set of issues! Well, -- it keeps me busy.

Big step!

With the stirrups extended all the way I still have a hard reach to get my foot in the stirrup. I decided I really needed a mounting block. I wanted something that was indestructible and something that could stay in the corral. Well, I looked around and saw a Rubbermaid water trough that will be put in the front pasture later this summer. Upside down it makes a great mounting platform! I am teaching her to line up to it and today I was able to sit on her! Topaz doesn't seem to be bothered by the weight. Something did startle her and made her jump but I stood up on my "platform" and she settled down immediately. I sat on her side ways for today after a few more days when she is comfortable I will throw my leg over. I am doing this without the saddle at this time. I think things are going very well!

Okay everything was going well with the saddle until I made a mistake. Topaz stands well when I cinch it up. I did not consider the fact of a new saddle. OOPS!! The belly band is stretching out along with all the other straps. I had tightened the cinch at least 3 times but not enough. I was afraid of making it too tight. I was walking her around and all was well. I thought after 3 times the cinch would be fine. Okay, sometimes thinking gets me into trouble. (sometimes??!!) anyway I urged Topaz to a trot and that wasn't a good thing!! The stirrup startled her so she kicked out & started to buck. I knew I was in DEEP dodo when I saw the saddle pad fly off!! Soon the saddle was under her belly. (#%*#!!) I told her EASY as she was rearing up. It worked!!!! My voice got her to calm down enough to untie the saddle. I told her how wonderful she was and then proceeded to put the saddle back on her. I continued to walk her around and she responded as if nothing had happened. all I can say is WOW!
She is too tall for me to easily lay across her back so I took a Rubbermaid trough and turned it upside down. It makes a "mounting block" for me that she doesn't move. We started it yesterday so this is a new thing, so far so well. I even asked her for a side pass & she did it! We are making great strides as I had hoped to this summer.
The fence is really coming along. Who knew 6x6 treated posts were THAT heavy?? We're 2/3 done & plugging away.

School is out so classes start in earnest for Topaz. I work with her every day. She now lunges on lead with out tossing her head (her way of telling me "I don't like to do this!") We are progressing well with the saddle. She stands well as I cinch it up. Since it is a new saddle the leather is very stiff. I started her with no stirrups to keep her from spooking at something hanging by her belly. It wasn't really necessary as today when I added the stirrups all went well. I think the hesitation she had was the creaking of the leather when she moved. After walking both directions for a while she became used to it.
I have taught her "head down" to make it easier to take the halter off. She learned it in 1 day! The only thing is now she comes up to me lowers her head & rubs against my leg. Her way of saying "I'm done now" She gets her morning hay after we are done so she wants it to be over immediately!
A couple of days ago her training came in handy. Topaz being her normal self, wanted to get to where I was. She went through a dead rose bush into an old standoff for the gate. Well, the standoff has wire attached to it and she put her front legs through the wire. She couldn't go forward without getting totally tangled and her feet kept hitting the wire when she tried to back up. Not a good situation! Dean held the wire in one spot as I backed her up while lifting her feet one at a time and pushing them back through the wire. She didn't spook but only by a hair! I'm very thankful that I trained her to back up.
With Topaz it's always something. I never know what she will get into next!
The fence is keeping me very busy. Yesterday we dug 50 holes, cleaned them out, put gravel and then the posts in them. Today we cement them in. Or at least as many as we can. I'll be very happy when we are done & Topaz can have 15 acres to graze. For now - on to the cement!!

With Topaz it's never a dull moment but this time she over did it. I was on the deck & Dean was behind the well house when all #%*!! broke loose. Something spooked Topaz big time! She came running out of the corral and tried to jump it. I thought sure she was going to break a leg. She got tangled up in the panel, managed to free herself and go over the wreck of a panel. I was racing over to the corral, Abby started barking at Dean when he came to see what was up, Topaz was running & kicking at everything, it was chaos to the max! When everything calmed down (and my heart quit racing) we had 2 panels and the ride through gate that were twisted. We straightened the gate as best we could and fixed 1 panel. The other is left for another day. Topaz has 1 small scrape on a hind leg. I feel she & I are both lucky this time. I'm ready to be off from work so we can get on a daily routine. Stand is going to be a high priority! She knows it means she should not move but I want to drill it in her head more so maybe if there is a next time I can tell her to "stand" and it will stop her from panicking.
For other training I read about getting a horse used to worming by filling an empty syringe with apple sauce. Then when you do worm them use the apple flavored paste. It sounds like it could work so I'm going to try it. I'll see if the vet has any empty syringes I could buy. As much as Topaz has come to like apples I have hopes for it. Although, the bowing is still not doing well. To her it means stick your head under the fence to get a treat. When I'm in the corral with her she doesn't understand because there's no fence between us for her to stick her head under. Oh well back to the drawing board on that one. I'll keep trying.
Every time I work with her now I put the saddle on her back for a short while from both sides. I hope to be cinching it up soon but I'm taking it slow as I don't want her to get scared & start trying to buck it off.
The fence didn't get done in time so I will not be adopting this spring. I'm not really disappointed as this will give me more time to get Topaz further along in her training before I tackle another. We are considering a burro as a companion for her - we will decide sometime after the fence is done.

I seem to have a hard time lately keeping up with my blog. Work has kept me busy - but on to Topaz. A few weeks ago?! after feeding her I went to the corral to see if she would come to me when I called. It was almost dark & she was still eating her hay. I was on the opposite side of the corral when I called to her. Topaz twitched her ears so I knew she heard me but the hay was more important. Understandable, she is a growing girl. I then went to her side but a little away and called again. She looked at me as if to say "What?" then came over. She didn't know that I had apple in my pocket. When I gave her a piece she was all excited. I could hear her thinking - "You didn't say treats were involved!!" She had to side pass for the next piece, the rest she got for "free"
The next night I went out the same time, opposite from where she was, and sat on the corral. I whistled once, she looked up from her hay and came right over to a side pass. She was not about to miss on any treats that might be had!
Last Friday I decided to put up some temporary fencing around the house to put a buffer between Topaz and the deck. I used the tractor for an extra pair of hands. That day Topaz was told no about a million times. She couldn't believe the tractor wasn't for her to chew on. She also wanted to "help" me with my project. At one point I was on my knees wiring something shut with her hanging over my shoulder. I had to get her to move her foot since she was standing on the pliers. That kind of help makes the job longer but I like that she wants to hang out. I yell "NO!" a lot but there are a lot of pets too. Although I could do without horse lips on bare shoulders!
We seem to be at a stand still in training but that is mostly (all) my fault. The fence & work seem to take all my time. Once we get the 15 acres done Topaz will have a lot more room to run and exercise. It will all be worth it I just have no way of explaining it to Topaz. As soon as school is out I plan to up the training and we should move forward fairly quick. Then I'll be writing more often. (I hope) I will do my best to estimate her weight this weekend. She seems to be in a growth spurt and is filling out. I will get a new picture posted soon.

A short update on Miss Topaz - She seems to be getting along with Abby now which is great! It makes it much easier when I get home. She has also stayed home the last couple of days. Of course it wouldn't be Topaz if something wasn't going on. She has learned to open the corral gate! The first time it happened I figured it was an accident. I had put her up in the afternoon so when Dean came home he would only have to feed her. I found out the next day that she had gotten out of the corral. Dean thought I had left in a hurry and forgot to put her up. Okay accident right? Not so fast! Saturday morning (5am) I got up to feed her. I also take Abby for a walk at that time. I was watching Abby, making sure she got off the deck, not really paying attention to the fact I hadn't heard Topaz call to me like she usually does. It was dark, but enough moon light to see where I was going and I don't like turning on lights. (I like to look at the stars) I took about 3 steps from the deck and as I looked up I came face to face with Topaz unexpectedly! (I guess she wanted her oats a little sooner than I thought) We now have a clip on the gate so she can't wander at will, much to her disappointment I'm sure, but safer for all.

Topaz out and about!!

What a week! It started on Monday night when I got home. Topaz came to the gate as usual to greet me and all was well until Abby showed up. Abby (all wiggly puppy) wanted to say "Hi" too but Topaz wanted no part of that. She kicked at Abby to try and drive her off. I didn't want Abby turned into a "hoofball" so I was correcting Topaz while trying to protect a clueless Abby! Topaz started running around the house and stable. She finally ran into the corral where I blocked the gate with the lunge whip until I could close it. After changing shoes I figured I would be in the corral for a while making sure Topaz didn't forget who was boss. (Just what I wanted to do after a long day at work) Amazingly she did everything I asked of her! It wasn't me she had been aiming at. She had just wanted to let Abby know her place was at the bottom of the "herd" The next night every thing was fine and everyone behaved well.
Wednesday when we got home Topaz was locked in the corral. My first thought was I had forgotten to open the gate when we left that morning (I'm not a morning person!) I noticed her hay was gone and it wasn't THAT windy. Okay, someone locked her up but who & why? The phone message said it all. Topaz had knocked some fence down and went wandering!! It could have been VERY BAD, but Floyd found her on the private road a bunch of us share. He didn't know who she belonged to, so he used his belt around her neck and got her in his pasture. Thankfully he talked to Murray (our neighbor) so Murray took a bucket of feed to catch her and put her up. He didn't want her to wander as the pasture is 250 acres. She came right to him (food does it every time!) He had no trouble getting a halter on her and leading her until a Great Pyrenees started barking at her. Then Murray and Topaz went for a run! he didn't want to let go not knowing where she would run to. He got her to go into the woods where we have a lot of trails cut. After she got away from the dog she settled down and Murray had no more trouble leading her.
The good news is everything and everyone is okay. I had no idea that Topaz would behave as well as she did with strangers. Murray was very impressed and thought she had grown a lot since he last saw her. Floyd had a bit more trouble but I don't use a rope around her neck, I've always put her halter on. I'm very glad no one got hurt. We fixed the fence that night and she has stayed in.
Friday we had a visit from Dr. Kevin. Topaz was much better than last time, but then again she had a tranquilizer. Not a bad idea since he had to give her a shot and we both knew that it didn't turn out so well last time! He though she looked great! Good weight, feet, and general health. She also behaved for the most part. After he left I tried to work her but she was too "mellow" to accomplish anything.
Hopefully next week will be a little quieter! A loose horse is not the kind of excitement I need in my life!!

New addition!

Spring break has come and gone. We had so much to do & it went by so fast! Dean & I are working on the 1/4 mile fence that we need to adopt another horse. It's not as far along as hoped for. We lost 2 days due to bad weather (cold & wet) and 1 due to tree trimming. The electric company hired someone to come out and cut branches that were too close to the power lines. A necessity but it didn't make Topaz very happy. The trimmers were just on the other side of the fence next to the corral using chainsaws & a chipper. As long as I was near Topaz she was relaxed. I went into the house when the machines were off but Topaz became very stressed, running around the corral. To keep her more comfortable I stayed with her sitting by the feed buckets. It gave me the chance to work on a halter I am making for her. I have now tied a fiador knot. Who knew knots would be so challenging?
Topaz's training was put on hold as we worked on the fence. I continue with the daily grooming and letting her know I'm still boss. It's just not as intense as I would like. (a little thing like sleep keeps getting in the way!) I have tried to get her to bow while I was in the corral but for now we still have the fence between us so maybe this won't work quite like I thought. She is also learning that treats are only when I say. Aggression only gets her in trouble. She is getting much better at letting others pet her face without her nipping.
We also adopted a puppy from the shelter. Her name is Abby and Topaz is not sure about the small crazy thing that runs around at full speed! Abby goes right up to Topaz trying to get her to play. The size difference makes it quite comical! I will try in the near future to post a picture of Topaz & Abby.

Major steps!

Teaching Topaz to bow has been an interesting prospect. Everything I have read or viewed and then tried has failed. Using the carrot between her front legs just got her to look at me then between her legs as if to say I'm ready for my carrot now! Also, when I go to work her front feet, she looks for the carrot between her legs. This "cue" didn't work as expected and has caused a few problems. I quit the carrot between her front legs after the second day but she is still hopeful that it will show again. I have also used a rope on her front leg to no avail.
Last weekend she was in her stall eating oats when I saw her kneel on one leg to get some she had dropped on the other side of the railing. A bow! I had some carrot sticks so I thought what the heck let's give it a try. I used the word "Bow" and got her to kneel 3 times. I'm very excited to think it might just work!
Earlier that day I had been teaching her the words "side pass" I can now get on the railing and tell her "side pass" and she will line herself up with the railing even if she is halter less! I really think things are starting to click with her. This makes training very exciting and rewarding.
I also purchased a rider's rasp. The first time using it she started to pull her hoof away, but a "no" and she was good. I am now filing all four hooves every time I clean them. I file a small amount at a time and expect her hooves to be in shape very soon. The rasp is especially made to round the hoof, help prevent splits, and smooth chips. I think it's going to work well for me and Topaz.
I'm also trying to take some photos to possibly get her picture in a contest that is promoting the adoption of mustangs. With some luck I could have a "calendar girl"! Wouldn't that be fun! Definitely worth trying.

The past weekend Topaz only played the halter "game" once. She is more cooperative in letting me walk up and haltering her. Being chased away is not much fun for her. (maybe it's because I'm her only "friend"?) So now - she decided she didn't need to walk when asked. I was putting pressure on her by thumping her rear with the handle of the cue whip.(my raised arms really got tired!) Considering last week when all I had to do was say "walk", this seemed a set back. I know she knows the command but refused to move. I couldn't let her get away with this behavior so I turned the cue whip around and dangled it to just touch her hind quarters. That was enough pressure to make her give in & walk. Then she settled in and did very well. I put her saddle pad on and had her walking in circles. She still wants to chew on it which has me telling her "NO" every few minutes until I have her walking.
We tried something new. I have a sturdy pallet made of some type of black plastic that I asked her to put her foot on. We danced around it for a little while but the she stepped on it. I praised her and went to get a treat to end the session on a good note. When I came back I stood on the opposite side of the pallet and she again put a foot on it so then the session was over and she got a well deserved "cookie".
I also used the tractor to muck out the corral. Topaz was unsure of it being in her quarters and was letting me know by tossing her head. At one point she lined up to mule kick the front end loader. Not a good idea! I yelled "NO" so she quit with much head tossing & prancing around. She then ran beside and around the tractor getting some much needed exercise. I'm very careful to watch where she is as I'm running the tractor, but it sure is fun watching her run with it. I imagine when she finally has another horse for company they will play a lot. As far as that goes, it's looking better for this May. If the weather will cooperate a little it seems like the fence will be done in time! WAHOO!! It looks to be a challenging summer but a huge amount of fun and I can hardly wait!

Games

Topaz is not always ready to "work" when she is loose. She has (the last 2 times) jerked her head away from me when I go to put the halter on her. This is not acceptable so I chase her away from me. I tell her to go away if she doesn't want to be "nice" I then walk away and (of course)she follows me. We do this for a couple of minutes then I call her to me to see if she is ready to "work" if not I chase her off again. This doesn't last long before I can put the halter on & we're ready to go. The "chase off " was shorter the second time. After I get the halter on I brush her and then we start. I have been working her out of the corral because of the mud & muck where she has responded very well. I drop the lead to clean her feet and she stands there beautifully! She now walks the direction I point to without the cue whip. This is a great step forward. She has known what I wanted but not ready to do it without pressure. I will be glad when things dry out a bit so I can work with the saddle. I'm not ready to have a brand new saddle in the mud!
Topaz has also come to terms with me leaving. She comes 1/2 way down to the gate then heads back to munch on whatever I put out for her. She always comes to the gate to greet me. A lot of time she tosses her head & acts aggressive but a simple "Behave yourself " sharply settles her down. She would be much happier if I spent all my time with her, but as I have told her someone has to work to pay for all the oats she eats!! Since she can't I must LOL

I can't believe it's already Feb. 2!! Time seems to get away from me.
Topaz is doing well although I don't have her feet on the jack yet. I have found that she likes a lot of changes in her work routine. If I keep her walking too long she gets bored and starts "acting" up. So I brought back the side pass and she did it very well after not practicing for a couple of months! Obviously she has a good memory. Last weekend I was cleaning her feet and before I got to the back ones she walked away. Now, when I clean her feet the lead rope is loose so she could walk away at any time. (until now she had never walked off) I didn't scold her as I wanted to see what was up. To my surprise she walked as far away from me as she could get in the corral. She then proceeded to relieve herself and when she was done she came back to me when I called for her. It reminds me that when she does something unusual I should wait to see what happens. I am more than happy for her to go to the far side of the corral to do her business rather than when I'm trying to clean her hind feet!!! I also want to make sure I don't scold her unfairly. I rather like this cleanliness attitude she has.
This morning she called to me but didn't come to where I was. A little unusual but I assumed she was watching Dixie and so went on to feed her. I gave her oats but she didn't move. I knew she wasn't sleeping because I saw her head move around. I put out her hay and she still didn't go for her oats! I was beginning to get concerned. I closed up where we keep the hay and walked over towards her. This time she came to me and I greeted her like I always do by softly blowing in her nose. WELL!! That made everything alright and she went in to eat her oats. I had no idea that our little greeting ritual was that important to her. I'll be sure not to skip it just because I'm in a little hurry! I'll take the time to greet her as I should.
Topaz now weighs 972 having gained over 300 lbs. since we got her. She also grew 2 1/2 inches. She is really filling out.

Carrots are good Cookies are better!!

The new year is starting off on the right "foot"! I want Topaz to learn to rest her foot on the jack for me to file it. I have been lifting her foot to clean and before I put it down I stretch it forward. She tends to paw & pull away as this is something new. A few days ago I stretched out her front foot & she let me hold it there without pulling or pawing so when I let it down I told her she was wonderful!! Well, she got so excited she nickered at me and looked for a treat. I went to the other front foot and told her she wasn't done. She then lifted her foot and stretched it forward for me. I curled it back as if to clean it so she would learn to put it forward when I asked not in anticipation of what I want. She is doing her best to learn what it is I want of her. She did get a cookie for a job well done! I am brushing her some after she gets a treat so she knows I am not a vending machine. She gets one treat and cannot be aggressive trying for another. I am giving her more carrots but cookies are still her favorite by far. Although peppermint treats are a close second.
The next day I worked her she nickered at me when I said "lessons" were over & I took her halter off. I am enjoying her soft "talking" to me when we work together. This is a new phenomenon and I hope it continues. It's so soft only I can hear her and it makes our time together even more special.