And... Exhale.

My new job started this past Monday, which means I can finally get settled into a routine again! For the past month, I felt like I was running at full-speed, with barely a chance to collect my thoughts. Two different jobs (training at the new one while finishing up the old) really didn't leave a lot of time for Gwen. I did get down to the barn a couple times a week, but I was so mentally exhausted we didn't really do anything besides graze/groom and walk around the ring bareback. So our games have gotten a little hazy as a result. When I've got it together, she's great. But when I can't remember what's up and what's down, we go to pieces.

But while we might not be on our A-game in the games-department, our relationship has REALLY gotten great!  For the past week and a half, Gwen has started meeting me "half way" when I go out to get her from the turn out. When I get close enough for her to see me, I'll give her a little 'Hi pretty girl,' call. In the past I might have gotten an ear flick. Now I'm getting two eyes, two ears, and a lifted head!  I've begun making it a habit to really slow down my pace, and kinda lumber (exaggerating my body sway, to look more relaxed and less predator-stalking). It started at 10 feet; I was lumbering my way towards her and she took a couple steps in my direction. Next day it was further, next day further. Now, I can stop about 15-20 feet, and she'll walk the rest of the way to me, and follow me back to the gate without needing her halter.

But today I got one of the greatest rewards to date. All those past times, there was nothing contesting her attention. Today, there was hay on the ground. I noticed as I walked out that they had been fed recently, and figured this would be a day where I'd have to halter her to get her to the gate (since all previous times when hay was involved, she had no interest in walking away from it). To my complete and utter astonishment, she LEFT HER HAY and met me "half-way" and then followed me back to the gate! I couldn't believe it! I am so amazed, and really, really touched by this. It was awesome!

Since my new job is literally across the street from the barn, I'm going to try to visit Gwen every evening. On those days when I don't get out until after 6, I'll probably just make it a quick trip, with some grooming and undemanding time. On the other days, when I have more time in the evening, I'm going to start pushing myself to get back on track as far as our games/play sessions go. I've gotten really lazy, and it's time we got back at it. I really want to pass our level 1 online, and for that we need practice-practice-practice! Me especially. I need a ton of work when it comes to being OK with people watching me. I didn't realize I had such a problem with spectators, but clearly I do. Whenever I even think someone might be watching us, Gwen starts acting like she has NO CLUE what I'm asking her to do. And I know it's my energy that's got to be getting to her. Time to get over the stage-fright!

In the mean time, enjoy pictures of the new baby at the barn!! He was born a week ago last Sunday. In these pictures, he's only two days old!

Sooooo cute!!

Baby! And mama's leg!

Look at that face!

Pretty blue eye!

His mama is a foundation-bred Quarter Horse named Slate. His daddy is a sorrel paint named Bandit. You can't see it in the photo's, but the coloring on his legs is actually a shimmery silver color! Unfortunately, he'll probably lose that as he grows up, and it will either turn black, or go gruella. He's so freaking adorable! And he absolutely loves people. They recently opened up his stall, so he's got a double-sized area. He gets let out into the arena with mama at least once daily, so he can run around and kick up his heels. When he's a little bigger, he'll get to play with he OTHER baby at the barn (who is a month or two older than him, I think...)

J