Powerpac Time!

Well, today was the first day of giving the horses their Powerpac wormer. It is a five day process that worms against all kinds of different things. I showed the tube to Woody, let him sniff it, and rubbed it all over his face, by his mouth, he offered to put it in his mouth, I did, and squeezed it! He did really great with it and I was proud of him. Next it was Charlotte's turn. Charlotte right away started throwing her head around when Mom tried to put it by her mouth, but after some persistence Mom got it in her mouth pretty good and squeezed it. Charlotte then proceeded to spit some out onto Mom and throw her head around. It was pretty funy because both of them looked like they had just eaten smores. Anyway, they both did relatively well. Mom decided to empty the rest of the wormer tube and work with getting Charlotte ok with the worming tube in and around her mouth. I got Woody's new bridle on, fitted, and let Mom inspect it. It looks so cute on him, and matches our new saddle really well. His mouth was quiet with the bit, so thats a good sign. Anywho, I actualy got on Woody bareback with his bridle and was just gonna sit, watch, and help Mom with Charlotte. At first, Charlotte did the same putting her head down to the ground, then throwing it up, but Mom would keep the syringe by her mouth until she realized her antics would not help remove the syringe. She settled down and Mom gradually got it so that she could put the tube in her mouth without having her throw her head up and down, but mouth the tube calmly. They both did really well.
The UPS man came up to the house, so I decided to ride down the hill of the pasture to see what he was doing. Mom walked Charlotte down too. Woody did so well listening to me, and he didn't run down the hill but walked calmly and confidently. Then, we turned around and trotted ways, but I sensed he wasn't really with me, so I asked for a halt in my body, then lightly in the reins, then big in the reins. Lick and chew, and we were off again more connected. I also fly sprayed him from his back (something different) and he was fine. I also removed the bridle from his back and he really softly bent his head so I could remove it. Once it was off he had a BIG yawn, so I got off and called it good.
Mom worked on picking out Charlotte's feet too. She did really well with the front feet and kept still while Mom picked them, but when it came to the back Charlotte began to walk around in a circle. I noticed that when she began to walk, Mom would drop contact with her hock (she was squeezing it to get her foot to lift) and just rub her. I suggested she keep squeezing her hock as she circled and wait for her to stop and realize that walking away wouldn't work. She did, and when Charlotte stopped walking, Mom rubbed her. They did it a couple more times, and the last time Charlotte stood still and picked up her foot for Mom. They did really well today.
On another note, a friend of ours is having to give away their miniature horse. I have always wanted a mini just because they have a reputation for being a challenge and I think that they would definitely teach me alot in my journey in horsemanship. I will have a LOT more time to devote to my studies next year, and me and my mom agree that one of the best ways to learn is through experience. I would really love to have another type of challenge so that I could excercise and grow in the handling and working with different types of horse behavior. So, we are going to check out the mini next week sometime, and I really hope it works out. I will keep you posted!! BEFORE

AFTER
~Eden