LBM in Motion

Oh yes, we have proof that LBM actually DOES get worked, yes she REALLY DOES get taken out daily, and yet she's still such a nut case even when that exercise occurs on a daily basis.

I am currently in sunny (well, actually, it's raining right now, hehe) FL, visiting L, my oldest friend, who I've known since we were in 2nd grade together. It's a real, honest-to-God vacation for me. L apologized this morning for her life being so quiet and uneventful, to which I responded with a smirk and a lot of laughter, explaining that this is EXACTLY what I needed, given how hectic and ridiculous my life seems to get the vast majority of the time.

But, vacation doesn't mean I stop thinking or talking about my young star prodigy mare, who was absolutely FABULOUS the day before I left. I sat on her for the first time since last summer, and she was awesome. One spook when a truck came down the driveway, the rest was calm and cool. We only did W/T with a lot of one rein stops, lateral flexion, hindquarter disengagement, etc., and arcing to teach her to start to move off the inside leg. She was great, and I got many compliments on how wonderful she is and how we will have many happy years together.

Of course, all of this got me thinking about Ernie, and how I wish I'd had him, oh, when he was 10, instead of 20. C'est la vie, I suppose. He's been happier lately, and seems more content with his life of little expectation. He sleeps while I groom him (which is a good sign), and only perks up when he sense my hand darting into my pocket for what he thinks is a treat.

For right now, he's doing better. What will come this summer I don't know, but I'm focusing on enjoying him as is for now.

Here's Miss Stella, in all her, um, glory. Forgive the poor picture quality, my camera kind of sucks.

Look at me, I stand so nice and (almost) square and quiet while Mom gets a lunge whip...

Going forward is no fun, why can't I turn sideways?

Mom won't let me go backwards, which is my favorite thing to do when I don't want to work!

Mom makes me run into a wall when I'm feeling silly. It's not fun.

Mom making me go forward.

A few moments after that blow-up, she decides she doesn't want to move her butt again, to which I reply with a smack on the hindquarters. She becomes very apologetic after that. Notice how almost every time she responds properly and I allow her to stand for a moment, she cocks a hind foot and flicks her ears back forth like "OK, I did it, you happy now?"

Ooook, I can walk.

I can walk a lot!

Gotta love that mare. She really is well behaved most of the time, but occasionally the redhead comes out. As a redhead myself, I can understand this, but more importantly I can appreciate it for what it is. Sometimes it really does take one to know one.