Hanging Out

By the time I got to the barn today, the sun was already starting to set. Star and Cool were being used to drag the arena (they are being trained to pull, and have learned in leaps and bounds in only a few short weeks! Dragging the arena is prep for a bigger (and heavier) wagon to come). While I love a freshly dragged arena, it meant I couldn't really play until they were done. I headed out to get Gwen with the mind that I would just groom and love on her, and see how things turned out.

My poor little girl was hanging out against the fence rail that is shared between the riding arena and the turn-out, watching Star and Cool with a pitiful expression on her face. It nearly broke my  heart! So rather than drag her away, I rubbed on her a little, and then just hung out with her by the fence and watched Star and Cool work. She relaxed a lot while I was standing there. She went from "alert and attentive" watching her buddies, to dozing and half asleep with her head by my shoulder. Every now and then she'd peek over at Cool and Star, or brush her nose against the halter (I had it slung on my shoulder), but I think she really appreciated just having some company while her buddies were working.

When they were done in the arena, I brought Gwen out (she came very willingly) and we went "into" the barn for some grooming. I experimented with leaving her loose while I brushed her, and except a little backing while I was brushing her hindquarters, and sampling a bit of hay in another horses stall (thankfully, the horse was amiable and not at all upset with her for the theft) she did pretty good! Her winter coat is nearly all fallen out, and she's starting to get really glossy on her neck and shoulders! Can't wait for her summer coat to come in. I'm debating about splurging on some sunscreen spray to try and keep her from fading... I've never tried it before so I have no idea if it would work.

Tomorrow, I hope I can do a bit more with her. Maybe work on some forequarter yields since I've kinda been avoiding them O:) 

On a side note, I really need some fly spray! I've just been lazy in driving to the tack store to get some...

J