At The Barn: Day One!

I feel like today was my first "official" day at the barn with Gwen. I had the day off work, so I went down as soon as I finished breakfast. The weather was ridiculously awesome! It was in the low 60's when I got there (which is downright chilly, considering this past week has been all mid-high 70's and yesterday it was 85! That's Texas for ya). It was cool all day, with a light breeze, but bright, clear blue skies all day! Frankly, it was perfect horsey weather!

I ride at a small barn, and there's only one riding ring. Saturdays are primo lesson days, which means the arena was packed with all the lesson kids. So I spent my first two hours mucking out the stable to give something back to Nora (my barn owner/riding instructor). The barn is actually an open-air pipe structure, which means I could muck out stalls while listening and watching the kids ride. It was great! I grabbed some lunch (Subway!) around noon, and when I came back the ring had cleared out and it was just a few barn rats like me still hanging around. I grabbed Gwen, gave her a good brushing (OMG that horse is shedding like a grizzly bear) and took her into the round pen for some very preliminary work. I don't really have a lot of tools and toys right now, so I turned her loose in the pen and we worked on facing toward me when changing directions, backing up at the slightest pressure, and generally just letting her get to know me and how I move/sound/feel. Gwen was a very good girl, tho she still likes to turn her butt towards me instead of her head when I ask her to change direction. But when she stops, she turns towards me, and will even follow me around a bit when I walk away. We only spent a total of ten minutes in there, so I'm really really pleased with her. And I got some licking and chewing, so I consider our first "date" a success!

Last night, I ordered a rope halter and a 12' lead from the Parelli website. I really lucked out with their "save some green!" promo going on! And, it just so happens that Hunter Green is the color I have for Gwen. Talk about awesome! I've got my fingers crossed that it shows up in the mail next week. I've always had web halters before, so I'm super excited to have a rope halter now.

Haven't had a chance to watch any of the Parelli videos on the Parelli Connect sight. Since the barn's closed on Sundays, I've made that my designated "rest" day, so hopefully I can catch a few videos before dinner with the family.

Have I mentioned how super stoked I am to have Gwen?! Cause seriously, I can't stop grinning and bouncing around like a crazy person!

J
Pic of Gwen: