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!