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!!