Day #24

We sprayed for ants on the inside of the camper today. While we were waiting for it to dry, we took the dog and I worked with both horses individually in the round pen.

We don't have a round pen at home, but we do have a large ring. The advantage of a smaller round pen is that you have more control over what the horse does.

I started with Blaze on a lunge line. The line attaches to his halter and is 20 feet long. The idea is to get your horse to go to the rail and move around you at whatever speed you wish and to reverse and whoa, when you request it.

Blaze has had some work at home, but I was never able to free lunge him without the line because our pen is just to big and I would lose control. He did very well on the line, so I removed it to free lunge him.

He was very good; gaiting, cantering and stopping on command. Usually, I would use a lunge whip to help a horse along, but he has never needed one. He is a fairly timid, yet forward horse. It doesn't take much to move him.

Another thing trainers look for is that the horse will "hook up" with them. This means they will not take their eyes off you and if you step back they will turn in to you. I was proud of Blaze because he wanted to be with me and would follow my lead. Stopping, backing and

turning with just my body language.

Then I took Pearl into the round pen. We have only had her a little under a year and we didn't know if she knew anything about lunging. She did alright, but it was obvious that she didn't understand most of what I was asking. On the free lunge practice she kept trying to reverse and run the wrong direction. I will have to spend more time with her.

After and hour of round pen time we took Jax back to the camper and saddled up for our ride. Blaze has a new fly veil that he really seems to like. The last thing I want is a horse tossing his head to get flies off his face and not paying attention to where he is placing his feet. The ride was pleasant and uneventful.

In the afternoon I rejuvenated the sour dough starter with the intention

of baking bread in a couple of days. I also made blueberry peachy cobbler for dessert. It is a comfort food and SO good. If anyone would like the recipe, just reply and let me know.

So another day out west is ended. Blessings on you! Pam