The best ride yet!

A beautiful, calm fall day. I spent most of it in my pajamas doing a combination of housework and nothing. :) I got dinner going and decided it was time to go see my boy. I just love spending time with him. He just about fell asleep while I was grooming him - I love that. I narrowed down the dancing to not the saddling part, but cinching. As soon as I brought the cinch up under his belly, he started to move around. So, I took it slower than I ever have. I tried to imagine what he must be thinking and feeling. So I just got it on and petted him a whole lot. I went very very slow and he did good. I took him in the round pen, because we needed to do a little work and respect. He did really well. He's so smart, and he just wants to please - he really does. After lunging him for awhile I tightened up the saddle again. After that I lunged him again, and he got a tad bit sassy and did a few little bucks TOWARD me. Well, let's just say I got him loping about as fast as he could! I let him go around about 3 times like that and then brought him in. He got that message real quick. So, I was ready to take him out of the round pen. I wanted to take him up the right drive and around. He walked very carefully, stopping and looking around a lot. I just remembered that I prayed my fear would turn in to faith. And, then I just continued to ask, and praise praise praise when he would take a step. We did that as long as we needed to, and I remained completely calm through the whole thing. He didn't act silly or naughty or anything, so I think that made me comfortable. After quite a bit of nudging and waiting, he finally took off in to a steady walk. It was great! Instead of going back down the driveway and up on the hill, I took him through Chad's yard and out around the fire pit for awhile. I pushed myself and him lightly, and we did fantastic. I can't tell you how proud of him I am!!! He just makes me so darn happy I thank God that He gave him to me. So we went back up the hill, because I wanted to take him all the way down the hill and fight that fear of mine. Well, something over there stresses him out completely. He did not want to go. So, I did the same thing and kept asking and praising. The great thing is I never even once thought about giving up or getting off, or never was scared. This is so fantastically wonderful - I wish winter wasn't so close. :)

On another note, on Facebook today Moriah posted pics of her, Mackenzie and Tracy out on a ride. Brandi looks good - they all look good. I commented that they all look good. Who knows what they'll think or say about it, but it's ok, whatever it is. It's the truth, and I just want them to know I hold no grudge and I forgive.

Cocoa Puff Reyes, I love you dearly!

In a hurry to go somewhere? NOPE!

Tonight Cocoa had the worried eyes. :) He was a little skittish - not crazy or dumb, but just not his normal relaxed self. He was pretty naughty when I put the saddle on, though. OK, he was mildly naughty. I made sure I cinched slowly, but he danced around a lot, so I made him move his feet. I walked him around the driveway, on the road and back around the other drive. I went back down to the barn to get on, and he did pretty good. He wasn't too thrilled about going... he had that fast step with the head bobbing and looking here there and everywhere. I would stop him and praise him for being good, but it's the first time I had to put him in a circle and he spun about 8 times before stopping. I was glad I didn't freak out, but I know I was gripping with my legs tighter than I should have been. We ended on a good note, where I wanted to, so that was a good thing. I trust him so much, and I want him to trust me. But I also told him we are in no hurry, and we will go at a pace that works for both of us.

I have to admit, it's a little eerie at the farm with no one at all there. It's just weird. I so prefer when someone is there! :) The Dettlaf girl from down the road was riding her horse when I drove by. I wonder if she'd ever like to ride with me. I miss having someone to go anywhere with. My next thing to pray for, I guess. :) Either way, I will always love my Cocoa Puff, and we are gonna keep making strides forward. Love, love, love him!

That perfect horsey smell!

Tonight I did lots of snuggling in to Cocoa's neck and taking in big whiffs of his wonderful smell. :)  He is fantastic. Have I mentioned how much I love this boy? Oh. Sorry. Tonight we walked down the hill to the woods and even walked in to the woods a ways. He did great! He looks around a lot but he doesn't act stupid. He stopped a few times but with some gentle coaxing, he came right along! He trusts me!!! I love that boy!!! It gets dark earlier and earlier now but I'm determined to squeeze out every drop of time with him that I can!!! LOVE!!!