I'm starting to get it...

Hello everyone! I'm signing in to tell you that Kuntry Girl and I have really had a breakthrough! Remember last post where I told you that I've been a little bit of a buger? Well, I kinda decided to get over myself. I know, I know...I talked a big game last time. That's because I was pretty convinced that I should be the boss of this herd. Secretly though, way deep down, I kinda wanted Kuntry Girl to take charge. I feel a lot better when I know exactly what I'm supposed to do and when someone is firm with me. I'm still learning, so I need a lot of patience, but also someone who will stand their ground.

Kuntry Girl has been working really hard on this and in the last couple of weeks, the dynamic of our relationship has started to shift a little. She seems to be feeling a little more confident in herself, which makes me feel a lot more comfortable. She's been trying to be really clear about what she wants me to do, which makes it a lot easier for me to figure it out. She hasn't been putting up with any of my funny business either. For example, if we're lunging and I decide that I've had enough and try to turn in, she's gotten really quick about swooshing me back out. I'm starting to learn that it's a lot easier to keep going and listen to what she's telling me to do than to deal with her throwing that line out at me.

I'm really proud of my progress. I can now walk, trot, and canter pretty confidently in both directions. We've also been long lining, which is really fun. I like to see Kuntry Girl walking behind me (she stays to the side so I can see her). A couple of days ago, we even worked on trotting on the long lines, with direction changes and everything! We also worked on walking past the sprinkler in my pasture. I really didn't like this, but after a few attempts, I walked past it like a good boy.

If we keep up our routine, I think that we'll be starting saddle work in the next week or so. I'm really excited about this. I really like to take Kuntry Girl for rides. She hasn't ridden me a whole lot, just a couple of times when she first got me. See, I do have some saddle training; I had been under saddle about 7 or so times when she got me. However, she felt that it was important to really get a good foundation with our ground work before doing too much in the saddle.

There's a horse show coming up in a few weeks that she wants to take me to, so we gotta keep up this work so we can be prepared! It's a very relaxed show I think; it's being put on as a fundraiser for a local horse rescue organization, so I don't think there will be a lot of pressure. However, I think Kuntry Girl really wants to make sure I will mind my manners. I was in this show last year and behaved really well, so I don't think she has much to worry about.

One other thing that I'm proud of myself for is getting used to water. Just a couple of weeks ago, I thought that skinny thing with water coming out of it was going to eat me alive!!! Finally, one day my trainer though showed me that it's not all that bad and Kuntry Girl has been working on it with me since then. I even kinda like it on my face, especially when it's hot out! I kinda act like I don't like it, but I will put my muzzle in the water and then lick my lips. I like how it feels nice and cool.

Well, I think that's it for now! Just had to give you guys an update and tell you that I've decided against a mutiny. But, as always, Kuntry Girl better stay on her toes!!