CARRIED TO A BREAK THROUGH!

Hi Everybody!

Long time no see! Today I am going to tell you about my most recent break through in my training!

I have been carrying a saddle since last December and have been long lining since earlier this year.

My very first time in a saddle!

But back in May I had two big spooks while wearing my saddle and I began to be scared of wearing it!

This was a big blow to Mommy because I had been making so much progress! But she didn't give up and slowly but surely we have occasionally worked  with my saddle on.

Last Sunday we were finally back up to the level where I was before. I could stand still and calm while saddled and didn't mind it on my back. Then Mommy put my headstall on my saddle horn so I could carry it for her. I snorted at it and refused to move. 

This was new, I had never minded carrying my headstall once my saddle was on. 

Well, Mommy couldn't stand watching me be afraid of things on my back anymore so she grabbed a handful of different items and we went into the round pen.

She sent me around carrying my headstall until it wasn't scary anymore which took about half a lap each direction.

Carrying my headstall

Than she hooked it on the other side of my saddle, than on the flank ring, then on the other flank ring. I was OK with this so she pulled out another item, this time it was my long lines, she hooked one coil to each flank strap and then sent me around.

Carrying my long lines

It took a minute but I was eventually OK with this, she then moved them up to my breast collar rings and sent me again.

After the long lines came a towel...

Carrying the towel

I had no issues with the towel at all, no matter where Mommy hooked it on my saddle.

So we moved on to the next item, a trash bag with a water bottle inside.

Carrying the trash bag

It surprised Mommy but I didn't care about this one either. So she moved on to the hay net.

Carrying the hay net

Again, nothing she did with it bothered me. 

Mommy placed the last object on my saddle she felt me stiffen, I think she knew I was nervous because she started to hum my favorite song (one she made up just for me, it helps me calm down when I'm nervous) and rub my forehead:

"Tigerlily my sweet filly, my little pride and joy.

I'll never leave you, your mine forever to love and enjoy.

I will keep you healthy, I will keep you safe, no matter what it takes.

You will never have to be afraid of me or of what I'll do. 

Because no matter how frustrated I get I will never take it out on you.

You chose me to be your friend.

And I will be there until the end.

So Tigerlily my sweet filly, your my pride and joy.

And I promise, I'm yours forever to love and enjoy."

People say that horsies don't understand singing, and I don't know if we really do, but I know that whenever Mommy sings my song I became a different horse. I become braver and quieter and sleepier all at the same time.

I did run for awhile when Mommy put the helmet bag on my saddle but it was not an out of control, filled with fear run, it was more of a run to see what the bag would do and trying to get used to it.

When Mommy started singing my song again I cam right back to her side and put my head under her arm. I knew I had been good!

After such an eventfully weekend Mommy gave me a few days off of training, I got grooming and kisses and turnouts but I wasn't asked to learn anything knew.

Today Mommy tacked me up, hooked my headstall and long lines to my saddle and we walked, quietly and happily to the arena.

No more fear

You see, all Mommy was trying to do on Sunday, was teach me that nothing she put on my back would hurt me and I didn't have to be afraid.

Well...OK that AND she didn't always want to carry everything by herself she she wanted to teach me to help her lug around our stuff. 

I don't know why or how it worked, but it did. and as you can see from these two last photos there isn't anymore fear in my eyes.

Napping today

Lots Of Kisses!

-TigerLily