Yesterday I got in trouble...

...but today I redeemed myself.

Yesterday, when country girl was workin' with me I wasn't really feeling like behaving. Well, actually I started out behaving pretty well...I walked and trotted in both directions without any problems. But then she started making this kissing noise at me. I think I remember that when someone does that I'm supposed to go into a canter. But I don't think I've ever done that on a lunge line. I didn't really know what I was supposed to do so I started to act up a little.

Also, I really just wanted to go eat. Even though Kuntry Girl had given me a snack earlier, I really think that I should get fed every time she comes out to see me. Anyway, even though I was giving her trouble with cantering, she insisted that I walk and trot again in each direction. Aw, man...I was ready to be done...and I thought I had made that clear to her. I guess she was just trying to show me that I need to listen to her.

Anyway, our session finally came to an end and I was just ready to get outta there! As soon as Kuntry Girl reached for the buckle on my halter I took off like a bottle rocket, back towards my shed. Now, Kuntry Girl could have put up a barrier so that I couldn't get out of the arena, but she says she wants me to learn to work politely even with the temptation of it being open. So needless to say, I was on a fast track outta there. There was only one problem...I still had my halter on and now this rope thing was chasing me!!! This thing was really scary, so I started running as fast as I possibly could to get away from it. But it wouldn't go away! I got a few good laps in, behind my shed, back to the arena and I still couldn't lose it! Well, now I was really starting to freak. Thankfully, my Kuntry Girl knows what calms me down and she quickly fetched a bucket of oats. I pranced back and forth a little bit more, but finally settled down enough to let her take off the lunge line and halter.

Then, she just stood there with me while I ate. I was shaking and breathing really hard. I'm really glad she didn't yell at me or anything because I already felt bad enough. She let me calm down for a little while and then showed me the lunge line. She calmly dragged it around my feet and put it on my butt and stuff and that didn't bother me at all. I mean, I really don't mind that thing...as long as it's not chasing me.

Needless to say, Kuntry Girl was a little disappointed with this situation. However, she didn't lose faith in me and today we worked on this again. This time, she was more focused on the "release from lunging" than the workout itself. She sent me in both directions, but only for a few minutes each. Then, she very calmly walked up to me and reached for my halter. She left one hand on my face, but the other was holding the clip for the lunge line open, just in case. She talked to me really quietly and calmly. Then she released the lunge line, but left my halter on. She wasn't sure what to expect, but I stood there quietly. For doing that, I got LOTS of praise. She rubbed my neck really good and told me what a good boy I am.

I really like to make Kuntry Girl happy, so this made me feel really good. Then, she slowly took my halter off. Again, I just stood there calmly and again I got lots and lots of love. I put my head down low and just enjoyed all this attention. I was really trying my hardest to be as calm as possible. I must have been really focused on being good, because Kuntry Girl noticed that I was licking my lips, which she thinks means that I'm making some sort of connection with our training. I'm glad that I can give her that sign, since I can't actually talk to her.

After all this, we calmly walked together back to my shed where I got a really good brushin' and then I even got some baby carrots...my favorite!

After yesterday, I think we were both really happy with how today went.

We'll see what I feel like acting like next time though! She better stay on her toes!

Ya can't win 'em all,