Making progress!

Well to start things off Kizzy's bumps are just teeth bumps and will go away in time. The vet visit last Friday went great. She loaded into the trailer without a bulk and when we arrived she was on her toes but never did a thing. The only time she even bucked and got excited a bit is when Dr. Mikes horses started making some noise and she realized horses were around but out of sight. She did get some happy juice for the x-rays but only because she had to stand so still. After we were finished she loaded up and we headed home. The only tragedy was Gage falling off the horse bus (his name for the horse trailer) and getting a blow to his ego. My anxiety about trailering horses is starting to go away again....What a trooper she was.

I have been working a lot on the ground with Kizzy and getting her used to moving away from pressure and respecting me as the leader. I have been taking my time and introducing things slowly but I felt like I was missing some stuff. I was really having problems with the girth and felt like I needed a little help before I made her scared of the girth for ever.

Leslie came over on Wednesday to trim the horses feet and I asked her for some help. She does natural horsemanship but in her own way and I love how she works horses. She told me to make my signals to Kizzy more clear and to keep things smooth and quiet. I worked with moving Kizzy's hind quarters and front end. She did it so much better when I gave her a clear signal for what I was asking she also didn't ever ask why do I have to do this. Leslie also found out that Kizzy is very claustrophobic and touchy around her belly and girth area which is why the girth has been such an issue. Leslie would walk around her and give her these big bear hugs and hold the pressure and Kizzy would get a little tense then relax the only place that she really jumped was the girth area. Leslie did that area with a bit less pressure and told me she needed more hugging. Leslie also gave me a few elastic bands to work with around her girth area to just get her used to something there. I usually put one on and then work her. All and all she gave me a great lesson and many new things to work on. Kizzy did great and learned some also. She will be going to Leslie's place in August so we can work with her consistently and correctly. I know she will turn out great!!!