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Today was the best day Jean-Luc and I have had since we came together back in April, of this year. Around 9:00 AM, my husband and I kicked into gear with a delicious breakfast at our local Bob Evans. Together, we enjoyed someone else cooking our meal, and sipped on our coffee before we both started our respective adventures for the day. I made it out the barn by about 9:50 AM. The temperature was a delightfully brisk 43 degrees. After cleaning a few things up in the barn, I found the horses munching on dew covered grass in back field. Though he didn't come when called, Jean-Luc was still a really easy catch. Upon closer inspection I noticed, for the third time in a row, he'd managed to style his own hair with more burs. While I don't mind cleaning them out every now and then, three times in a row is about my limit. However, since I was in no rush and really didn't have much else to do today, I decided I would take the time to really clean him up. I even braided his tail in hopes that it wouldn't attract as many burs later. Regardless, they would be easier to pluck out of the braids. My man looked quite spiffy when I was finished and I honestly believe he appreciated the braid. His mane was incredibly silky, too. I enjoyed running my fingers through it when I was finished. Additionally, now that his winter coat is growing in, when Jean-Luc is in the sun you can really see his champagne color shine. While "pretty" is never what I was going after, some days I can't help but feel extremely lucky that I ended up with such a pretty boy. Per our regular routine, after cleaning him up, I tossed a saddle on him and took him into the barn arena for some surcingle work. He was really focused today, paying attention to each cue. He sped up, slowed, and turned nearly on a dime. The few times he didn't were miscues from me. After our work in the arena, I figured he'd been so focused I would see how far I could get on the trail with Jean-Luc. Usually we don't make it more than 100 ft from the barn. There's an old road cone I try to make it to just before a creek. He always baulks at the little down hill slope of the creek, so I consider it a win we are able to make it to there and just stand quietly. Today I really wanted to push through this though. It took about five tries, but eventually, with enough hip action and positive reinforcement, we did it! We were past "the spot" and into the creek. We stopped for a drink and I really wanted to see if he would keep going. Sure enough, with a little more hip action and praise, we were moving! In fact we even made it to the field through a way Jean-Luc has never gone! - He's braver than he ever wants to let on, of this I am sure. I figured I could be pushing my luck, considering how much Jean-Luc truly hates to be away from the herd, but things just felt good so I kept going. He tried me 3 or 4 more times as we went into the woods near the barn. That said, the Mylar bit that I was using, I believe, made the difference. This new bit made it so that he was unable to completely ignore me like in past experiences. Also, I was able to stay really calm. We made it all the way to a road (a place that I know is about a mile away from the barn). Then we even walked down the road approximately 150 yards before I made a deal out loud to Jean-Luc. "Get to that tree," I said, "and we can turn around and go home." Of course he tested me, but we made it. Then, we stood still for about 10 seconds, and turned around to go home. The entire way back all I could think of is how proud I was, not only of my horse, but me! We did a thing today. We did a really big thing. We rode out, alone, and did not have a complete panic attack or meltdown when the herd wasn't with us! Sure, I was tested, but I don't know that this feeling would be as amazing as it is right now had we not worked through those issues. I'm really proud of this guy. I am also very thankful that the work we are putting in starting to pay off. When we got back to the barn the temperature had risen to about 63 degrees (that's fall in West Virginia for ya). Jean-Luc's chest was pretty warm and covered in sweat.
I let him stand and cool down, showering him with praise before one last treat and tossing him back into the field with his friends. I am looking forward to many more rides like this in our future and can't wait to see the places we begin to explore! #BoldyGO!
8 Comments
Chelsey
10/23/2017 07:58:56 am
I believe that was absolutely part of it. Honestly the weather and my level headed attitude was a huge part of it. And if I am honest with myself, I think the patience I have to practice while teaching school also helps.
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Chelsey
10/24/2017 06:30:17 am
Thank you! Ya patience pays off.
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Liz
10/24/2017 07:07:23 am
So happy for you! Just the beginning <3
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Chelsey
10/24/2017 08:09:04 am
Thanks Liz! Can’t wait to hit some trails with you again after your adventures and looking forward to Nov.
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lytha
10/26/2017 10:54:06 am
It's interesting to me that after so many all-day rides, parades, etc, that he's not 100% yet about leaving the property alone. I'm kind of going thru the same thing - every time I try to ride alone, my horse finds things to worry about, but we're dealing, exactly as you are! I hate to say I've done that dealing with my last two horses. But the mare, she never could relax out there, so I sold her, and she's happy now.
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Lytha,
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AuthorMy name is Chelsey. HorseGenerator's Cuevo Gold, or as he's known around this barn, "Jean-Luc Ponycard", was foaled in 2004 from Generator's Hurricane & Cheyenne's Little Bit. Top 10 Blog Favs.Archives
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