Sisters Rosie and Crystal were standing on their own four feet today. No sooner had I opened up Sally's trailer than they were over, casing the joint. Then, once the partitions were all out they taught themselves to load.
Then it was back in with the partitions and a headcollar on Rosie just to keep her safe. Crystal decided that anything you can do I can do better.
Then Mum turned up so it was time for a well earned drink.
SAFETY NOTICE: Normally we would have a vehicle attached to the trailer whenever we are loading a horse so that the trailer is always supported, however, Rose and Crystal are very light and therefore there was no risk of the trailer turning into a see-saw. I am also careful not to let ponies play in trailers on their own. These two sisters get on extremely well so there was little risk of one becoming trapped behind the other and being kicked. There was always one human at the rear of the trailer to ensure that neither pony could trap their leg around the springs. Sally is an adult and chose to not wear her hat or trousers and everything was kept extremely low key. Think that covers it!
Later it was time for another Jazz session. She has been going really well and seems to enjoy being out and about. Nevertheless she seemed to have an automatic, instinctive need to nap towards home whenever we got to a junction where home was one of the options. I've been working on this for a couple of sessions and came to an arrangement where if she turned away from home without napping on three occasions then we would go home. This has worked beautifully and today, when short reining during her first session and being ridden in her second session, there was no napping save for one ear hinting that there was a quicker way home. Ears are such a good indication of where a horse's attention lies.
