December 1st:

Today was another sunny day! It was a bit breezy and perhaps 18 degrees out, so it seemed like a good time to work the horses. I decided that the next step with Mayfly was to work her a little off of Bechler before I got on her. I am a wimp. I wanted to be sure as I could be that she was going to be ok with someone over her before I mounted.

Yesterday I turned Mayfly, Huckleberry, and Twix out with the big herd. When I went out to catch Mayfly and Huckleberry, those three were happy to greet me. Apparently being out with 54 moderately strange horses was enough to turn them into mamma's ponies.

Mayfly threw a few tantrums while tied up. She stood well for being saddled and while I was near her, but she didn't appreciate me making her wait... with only two horses within view. Life is hard! I took Mayfly, Huckleberry, and Bechler all out to the small arena. I took a few minutes to warm Bechler up, then worked Mayfly off of him. She ponied pretty well while Bechler was his normal grumpy self. She showed no fear of the flag from our mounted position. After working her a little, I went ahead and sided Bechler up next to her. I worked on leaning over her, flailing over her, putting a leg over her saddle while keeping one foot in Bechler's stirrup. I went so far as to put a foot in her stirrup with my weight, then kneel with my weight on her saddle. She didn't react much at all... other than to listen back at me. What a good girl.

Bechler did his job wonderfully. It was time to "cowboy up" and get on the horse. I tied Bechler back up and did the jumping game with Mayfly. I went from that to weight in the stirrup, then standing in the stirrup with my weight over her back from both sides. Again she was great. At that point it dawned on me that the small arena may not be the best place to get on her the first time. It is rather big... so we went to the connected round pen. There I went ahead and put a leg over her, then dismounted.... again and again increasing the time I stayed on her back each time. She was perfect. It was starting to get shadowie. Once the shadow sets in, the temperature drops quickly. I don't want to be on a green horse as things get cold, so I got her to take a step then dismounted. I did that twice, then called it a day.

I went ahead and untacked my three ponies. After the little bit of work, Mayfly remembered how to stand patiently while tied. She was wonderful and I was super proud of her! WAHOOOOO!!!!

Mayfly yesterday.

Mayfly standing relaxed today after work.