I think my mom is up to something

I can't quite put my hoof on it but things have been just a little odd the past couple of days. It started yesterday. She got to the barn but instead of getting me out for my hay snack, she just pulled out the bale of shavings that was in front of my stall and sat on it. She didn't talk to me or look at me or do much of anything. She just sat there.

Well, I was kind of mad. I wanted my hay snack and I wanted to come out and she was just sitting there like a bump on a log. I bounced around my stall a little bit, and kicked the wall a few times, and stamped, and snorted. She didn't even say anything or look at me. I finally got curious and poked my head out my hay hole to watch. It was just... funny. She was sitting quietly, with her eyes half closed, and she was all relaxed. I watched. And I watched some more. And then I started feeling kind of relaxed. It was actually pretty nice just being there like that.

By the time she got up, I was just standing quietly in my stall. She came to my door and I greeted her and we visited for a couple of minutes. Then she came in and opened up my duds closet. She pulled out my rope halter and asked for my nose. I haven't worn my rope halter in a long time. My mom told me that Sparky's Mom made it for me. That was really nice of her. I like Sparky's Mom. I just don't like it when she's mean to me.

Mom took me out then and gave me my hay snack. Sparky's Mom was there by then and she got Spark and he had one too. My mom cleaned my stall. It was an awful mess. It's been raining and raining and my paddock is just full of mud and water. It's too much mud even for me and I kind of like mud. I haven't been going outside much at all. Sometimes I go just outside the door to poop but mostly I'm staying in my stall. It makes it awfully dirty but I can't help it. Mom understands and she does her best to keep it clean.

I was pretty much finished with my hay snack by then and the hay truck was coming. Mom untied me but instead of putting me back in my stall, she led me out onto the road. That was kind of odd. She led me up the road just a little way and then toward the grass where she let me start grazing near the edge. That was really nice. Then she told me I could go up into it. I was really happy about that but I remembered my Manners and walked instead of trotting up the hill.

She let me graze for quite a while. It was really nice. Sparky's Mom had brought him over to where he eats his bucket dinner and then she put him back in the pasture but I got to eat grass. I felt kind of bad for Spark but the hay was out and it wouldn't be good if the other horses ate it all. We'll probably get to eat grass together sometime soon. Last grass time, we ate up there a bunch of times. Sometimes our moms would sit on us but we didn't mind. It was kind of nice.

After a while, my mom pulled my head up and told me it was time to go. She led me out onto the road on the hilly part by the pasture. I pulled a little bit as we left the grass but she made me whoa and reminded me to walk so I did. She led me down the hill and made me stop in front of my stall before going in. That's Manners too. I used to just barge into my stall and she didn't like that. Now I know I have to wait until she tells me it's okay. She turned me around and took off my halter and I waited nicely while she did it. Then I ate my hay.

It was kind of funny wearing my rope halter again but it was nice too. I like it better than that stupid chain. Even though the rope and the little knots kind of push on my face if I'm being bad, it's not uncomfortable and pinchy like the chain. Most of the time, it's nice and soft and comfortable. And it's pretty.

Today was really rainy again, and windy too. I'm kind of sick of the rain but I'm glad I have a nice cozy stall to be in. My mom got there right after the hay truck went by. She brought a chair with her and sat in that outside my stall just like she did yesterday. I didn't really pay much attention to her this time, though. I was busy eating.

After a while, she got up and went to get a one of those big buckets that roll to clean my stall. She just left me inside it while she cleaned because I was busy eating. Sparky's Mom was there by then and she got Spark out and dried him off and put his cooler on. He was soaking wet and his legs and feet were all muddy. He seemed pretty cheerful though. He ate a hay snack outside Cocoa's stall while my mom cleaned mine.

After a while though, my mom pulled the little box thing out of her pocket and handed it to Sparky's Mom. She opened up my duds closet and pulled out her head bucket and put it on her head. That was funny. She always wears it when we ride but I wasn't even saddled up or anything. Then she went out of my stall and Sparky's Mom stood in front of it with the little box thing pointed at my door. My mom opened the door and called me over and put my rope halter on.

I figured we were going for a walk or maybe out to the Round Pen. I walked out with her and she led me down the road. That was okay. I like walks sometimes. I heard Sparky's Mom call out for us to wait and my mom asked me to whoa so I did. Sparky's Mom caught up and I saw her standing next to us with that darn box so I pulled hard so I could go over to see her and Mom told me to whoa again but I kind of forgot to because I was really interested in what Sparky's Mom was doing. I finally did whoa and my mom made me back up a little bit and then she asked me to keep walking down the road.

I was starting to get a little mad. It just seemed stupid. My hay was waiting for me and everyone else was eating. And it was dumb and muddy on the road. Mom finally had me turn around by the Round Pen and I started hurrying back toward my stall but she made me whoa again so Sparky's Mom could catch up and then after we got going again, she asked me to whoa one more time.

This time, she just stood there. It was dumb. I waited for her to tell me it was okay to go again but she just stood there looking at Sparky's Mom so I got mad. I started fussing, and lifting my back legs to kick but there was nothing to kick. So I tossed my head, and pawed, and tried to bounce, and finally I reached out and tried to bite my mom. She told me not to so I did it again and she said something about showing someone she called Aunt Tracey how I behave. I don't know what she was talking about but it was stupid to just stand there doing nothing.

Finally she told me to walk again and she brought me back to my stall. She made me stop at the stupid door of course, and to hold still while she took my halter off. I was sick of it by then and I didn't really try too hard. Then she got mad at me and told me to back up and I wouldn't so she told me again and got mad and finally I did. It was just kind of a dumb day really.

I just don't know what she's doing half the time. If she'd just brought me to the grass or something it would have been fine. I don't see why I have to just walk back and forth. And then she didn't give me very much bucket dinner. It was only about two bites. She did bring me some more hay but it was grass hay and I don't really like grass hay that much. Maybe tomorrow she'll feed me right.

Ups and downs continued

I forgot to mention one funny thing that happened before the whole Riding Incident. One day last week, my mom brought a bag of stuff with her and started fussing around outside my stall. I couldn't really see what she was doing but when she got me out for my hay snack, I saw that she had hung a bunch of stuff on my door. Usually, the only things that hang on my door are my name plate and maybe a towel or some drying wraps. But this stuff is different. There's a rope of glittery, silvery stuff that has fluffy hairy stuff all along it (it tickles my nose) and hanging off it are some little colored balls and a soft little red pouch thing.

I was so curious about it all and I wanted to taste everything but Mom wouldn't let me. Then later she put my new halter on me and brought a piece of cloth stuff made out of the same soft red stuff as the pouch. She let me sniff it. It was really soft and felt nice on my muzzle. Then she rubbed it on my face and neck and that felt nice too. Then she put it on my head. Well, that seemed a little silly but my mom likes to do silly things sometimes so it was okay. She stood next to me in my doorway while Sparky's Mom held that little box thing they like to carry around and I knew that meant I was supposed to look at Sparky's Mom and put my ears up. So I did but I also took the opportunity to check out the stuff on my door.

Unfortunately, the next part of my post won't be so much fun. The day after our Bad Ride, Sparky's Mom came out alone. I guessed that my mom had finally gotten so sick that she had to stay on Stall Rest or whatever people call it so I didn't fuss. After all, I'm supposed to remember my Manners with everyone, not just my mom. But Sparky's Mom is dumb. She doesn't know anything and she makes me so mad! She didn't even give me my hay snack, she just put my lead on and started bringing me to the Round Pen.

I got a little sassy and bouncy as we walked because I wanted my hay snack and without a word, she just yanked on the chain on my nose! Hard! I couldn't believe it. My mom has given me a yank before but never like that so I just got even sassier and tried to bounce again. And she did it again!

Well, that got me in a very crabby mood but we got to the Round Pen and I figured I'd be able to run and that would make me feel better. Wouldn't you know it, she just slipped off the lead and put on the lunge line and started making me go in a little circle around her. I didn't want to go in a little circle. And she wanted me to walk and I sure didn't want to walk! It was dumb and I kept pulling and trying to trot and bouncing. She just kept making me go in that stupid circle.

Finally I got really mad and I twirled around and reared up and struck out with my front feet! I wasn't trying to hurt Sparky's Mom. That wouldn't be Manners. I was just trying to tell her that I didn't want to make dumb small circles and walk and stuff. But she just got mad and made me go some more.

After about forever, she took off the lunge line and told me to run. I did, too. I ran and ran. But then she made me keep running. I kind of wanted to stop running after a while but she kept pushing me so I kept going. I can run as long as anyone wants me to, after all. Then she decided she was going to make me go in the other direction. I didn't want to do that and I got sassy again and kept running the same way I was going. I knew it was bad - my mom has been really firm about making me change direction when she says - but I was mad and I didn't think Sparky's Mom was being very nice. But then she got right in front of me and put up her arms and looked kind of scary so I slid to a stop and finally turned. I didn't want to but she looked like she might do something crazy.

She made me run around that way for a long time too. I was pretty tired when I was done. When she finally let me stop, I walked up to her and nuzzled her. I just wanted to be friends and do nice things together. I don't see why I have to do dumb things. She was nice to me then though and petted me. She let me cool down a little bit and when she led me out of the Round Pen, she even brought me up on the grass to graze for a little bit. So that was nice but it wasn't much fun other than that!

The next day, her and my mom came out late. It was already dark and I'd finished my alfalfa by then. They just gave me my bucket dinner outside my stall and Sparky's Mom held a little stick that made light while my mom gave my stall a quick clean. She smelled pretty sick to me so I was right about that. Then they put me back to bed and that was that.

Which brings me to yesterday. Yesterday was a really Nice day. My mom came kind of early. I was napping in my stall, just standing up. Horses do that, you know. Sometimes we lie down but we can doze standing up too. Anyway, I was all sleepy and comfortable when I heard her voice say, "Hi sleepyhead!" My head popped up and I looked out my door to see her in her car! She'd come from the other direction over by the pasture and snuck up on me! I let out a big whinney and she went to put her car over where all the cars go and then came to see me.

She gave me my hay snack and cleaned my stall and then she brushed me. I could tell she had some cookies in her pocket because I could smell them but she didn't give me any unless I was a Good Girl. She told me to whoa while she brushed me and when I stood nice and still, she gave me one. And she asked me to give her my feet nicely so she could clean them and when she'd done all of them, she gave me on. It was like doing my tricks. I started feeling pretty good because I understood what she wanted and knew nice things would happen if I did it.

Then she put my lead on and brought me to the Flat Arena. It was really muddy and wet but we found a part that wasn't too bad and walked around for a little bit, doing tricks. One trick she wanted me to do was to stop at her shoulder when she says whoa. Sometimes I stop and then swing my butt around so I'm facing her but that's not how it's properly done. It was hard but I started to figure out what she was asking for and by the time we left the arena, I'd gotten better at it.

I thought we might go to the Round Pen or even back to my stall then but we didn't. Instead we started down the road toward the Little Rolling Arena. I hadn't been that way since the day we had our Awful Accident but it was a nice day and the sun was shining and I still felt pretty relaxed from my nap so I went along. As we got further from the barn, I got a little nervous and started looking around but Mom asked me to do a couple of tricks and I got so busy thinking about them that I forgot about being nervous. We did that all the way - we'd walk along for a while and then she'd ask me to do something and it would give me something to think about.

Before I knew it, we were at the Little Rolling Arena. I felt pretty relaxed and I knew Mom was happy with me. She was telling me what a Good Girl I was as we walked. We just kept going past it and headed across the parking lot. That's where I started getting in trouble that day. I got all excited about being near the Pony Arena because I wanted a turnout and then Bad Things happened. This time though, my mom just kept asking me to do my tricks every time I lost my focus and it helped a lot. I got a little fussy going down the hill to the arena and she had to speak sternly to me but that reminded me and I settled down. I walked right into the arena nicely and then she slipped my halter off and told me to go play!

That was really nice. I ran around a little bit and then I came back and visited with Mom. Then I wandered off again and sniffed poop and played in puddles and checked to see if there was a good place to roll (there wasn't). After a while, Mom walked away from the arena a little way and I got a little afraid she was leaving so I started racing around. She came back but I was feeling frisky by then so I did some good running and bucking and playing. I got kind of hot and sweaty and felt really good.

She let me stay in there for a long time. It was nice. I haven't been out in a big space in a long time except for that one day with Spark in the Gremlin Arena. Sometimes it's nice just to be able to do whatever you want. I know that's one reason Sparky likes living in the pasture because he can run and play when he wants, and he can nap when he wants, and he doesn't have to wait for his mom to bring him somewhere to do it. I wish I could live in a pasture but my mom says they only let geldings in. I think that's stupid.

Finally my mom came in with me. She put my halter and lead on and walked around in the arena with me, asking me to do tricks. I was kind of excited at first from running but doing my tricks settled me down again and when we went out the gate, I was able to think about what I was doing. Mom asked me to whoa nicely at it and not barge through and I was good about it. I started dancing a little bit going up the hill and across the parking lot but she talked calmly to me and asked for a trick or two and I stopped. I walked all the way back nicely and by the time we got to my barn, I was cooled out. I wanted to go on the grass and I kind of pulled that way. My mom straightened me out and led me on but once I was walking nicely, she asked me to go on the grass! She made me walk instead of trot onto it but then she let me graze for a while. That was really nice.

So we had a good day and I think I learned something. It's really hard to pay attention sometimes but if my mom helps me, and I try really hard, I can be a Good Girl and she won't get mad at me.

Ups and downs

My mom's been sick. I can tell by the way she smells. Horses can tell things like that, you know, but people can't. Sometimes I wonder why people are in charge of everything because they really aren't that smart about a lot of stuff. They can't smell if their horse is sick. They have to poke you in the butt with that little stick thing, and put funny metal things up against you that are attached to their ears, and look at your mouth, and poke you, and all kinds of things. They can't tell what horse pooped in the road while I can tell you in a minute who it was once I smell it. They don't seem to know how to eat good things like grass or hay or leaves or dirt. I do sometimes wonder about it.

But anyway, that's not what this is about except to say that I probably knew she was sick before she did. Her and Sparky's mom came out a few days ago and I could smell it then. But she acted okay and cleaned my stall and stuff. Then she took me into the Round Pen. I was happy about that because I figured I'd get to run and play but then she told, "Oh, I forgot to put your wraps on." She want and got them and then we did a really, really hard trick.

She told me to whoa and then reached down to put a wrap on me. Well, I poked my nose down to see what she was doing and backed up a step so I could see better. She told me whoa again and tried once more but the same thing happened. So she put my halter and lead on but instead of holding the lead, she just dropped it on the ground. Then she said whoa again and got down next to my front foot.

Now I knew what she wanted. She wanted me to stand still. That's what whoa means but I kind of forgot because I wasn't wearing anything. Standing still is really hard. It's hard enough when I'm tied or when I'm in my stall, but when I'm kind of frisky and I'm in the Round Pen, it's even harder. But I did it! She put the wrap on my front leg and then she got up and called me a Good Girl lots of times and gave me a cookie!

Well, that was nice. So when she said whoa again, I figured I'd do it. And I did, while she put the other front wrap on. And I got another cookie. That was the easy part, believe it or not. My front wraps just fit onto my leg and attach with these little straps that stick to the wrap itself. They go one really quickly so I don't have to stand still very long. But I wear polos or stable wraps on my back legs and Mom has to wrap them around and around up and down my leg until they finally attach at the end. It takes a lot longer.

But she told me to whoa again and headed for a back leg. It was so hard not to turn around in a circle to see what she was doing! But I knew she wanted me to stand still while she put that wrap on. The whole time she was wrapping it around my leg, she was saying, "Good girl, Bella, you're doing great!" That helped a lot. I know when my mom talks in a nice low voice like that I'm doing the right thing. It was still really hard though.

She knew it. When she finished, she praised me even more than before and told me how proud of me she was. She gave me my cookie but having her so happy with me was just as good (well, almost). Then she said whoa one more time and put on the other back wrap. I stood still for all of them! It was so hard but I did it and my mom was really happy with me.

She let me run a bunch after that and it was lots of fun. Then we left the Round Pen and I figured we were done but she tied me back up outside my stall and started brushing me. That was kind of funny. Then she put my saddle on. I haven't had my saddle on in a long time and it felt kind of funny. I wasn't really sure about the whole thing and Mom seemed to be in kind of a hurry. I didn't like that either. She put my bridle on and started leading me toward the Flat Arena but then she led me back to my stall so she could get her head bucket thing. I was confused. First we left, then we went back, then left again and went back again. I just wanted to go in my stall and have my bucket dinner.

So I was kind of cranky when she got on me. It wasn't a good ride. I was sort of stressed and I felt awkward, like I didn't know what I was doing. Mom was patient at first but then she got after me to keep walking and to stay on the rail and all this other stuff. So I got mad and started to fuss.

When I get mad, it's strange. It's like I can't even think right. I just want everything to stop and for everyone to leave me alone. That's how I was. I wouldn't turn, and I wouldn't do anything - I just fussed and tossed my head and acted up. Mom finally got off me and took me into the Round Pen where she tried to lunge me. I think she was trying to get me to pay attention but I just couldn't at that point. I kept trying to run, and to buck, and to get away. It was awful. She was frustrated and I was frustrated and it just wasn't nice.

Finally she stopped me and walked up to my head. She took off the lunge line and talked to me and then she just got on me in the Round Pen and rode me in there, just walking around a little bit. I was still kind of fussy but she rode with a loose rein and didn't get pushy so I calmed down some and finished up by just walking a few circuits. Then she got off and took me home. It wasn't one of our better days.

I'll tell you about the next couple of days next time. I'm ready for a nap right now.

Remembering how to lunge

I had another nice day today. It was a little rainy off and on but not cold and I spent a lot of time out in my paddock. I like to stand in my paddock. I can see the Flat Arena really well from there and it's fun to watch other horses while they're working. Sometimes I see my neighbors working out there. Spencer's mom rides him a lot in the Flat Arena and Raz's dad rides him there sometimes too. I think it's especially fun to watch horses I know. When Kia lived next to me, I watched her all the time. She was so pretty and she knew how to do lots of stuff so it was interesting. Someday I'm going to do stuff like that.

In the afternoon my mom came with Sparky's mom and she put me right out in the Round Pen for a turnout without even giving me a hay snack! That was kind of strange. Then I saw Sparky's mom get him and tie him in front of my stall and my mom brought the hay bag over and he got a hay snack! I didn't really think that was fair and I was a little mad about it. But it was nice to be turned out. I kind of like it when I go out and get to do whatever I want to do. I kind of wanted to eat a hay snack though.

Pretty soon my mom came to see me and she brought the lunge line and her whip. She put my halter on and clipped the lunge line to it and asked me to go around in circles. I could smell that she had cookies in her pocket so I tried acting all cute and nuzzling up to her but she just kept pushing me away and telling me to go around her so I finally did. I fussed a little about it but once I was going it was kind of fun. She had me go around the way I don't like first and then made me change direction and go the way I do like. I did some trotting and cantering along with walking and she seemed pretty happy with me. I don't really mind lungeing. Sometimes it's pretty fun.

When we were done, she dropped her whip and took off the lunge line and praised me. She gave me a cookie too. Then she stepped next to me and stretched out her arm like she does when she's asking me to pivot on my forehand. Usually though, I have a lead rope on and she holds onto it to keep my front feet still. I didn't even think about it though. I've been practicing my tricks so much, I know exactly what it means when she does that so I just pivoted right around without her having to touch me at all. She was really proud and gave me another cookie and lots of praise.

Then we did more tricks. She asked me to walk forward by just following her instead of her leading me and I did it. I even whoaed nicely when she stopped and said whoa. Then she turned to face me and said "back" while she walked toward my shoulder. Well, I know what "back" means. It means I'm supposed to back up and I just dropped my head and backed up nice and straight. As soon as she stopped walking, I figured I could stop too and that must have been the right thing to do because I got another cookie and more praise.

We played all my tricks like that, even the hard ones like sidepassing. For that one, she held my halter lightly at first while she put her hand by my side but as soon as I realized what she wanted and started going, she let go and I kept doing it. And I did a nice pivot on the hind with her just putting her hand up and walking toward my shoulder. She said it was just like a showmanship class. I don't know what that means but she sounded happy about it.

It's funny. I really love to do my tricks now. A long time ago, she used to ask me to do those things and I'd get mad and swish my tail and try to bite her. Now I love it when she asks me. I'm always ready to do my tricks. It's not just because I get cookies either because I don't always get cookies. Sometimes she just pets me and calls me a Good Girl and that's almost as nice. I just think it's fun. I guess it's because I understand what she wants now and before I didn't. I think it must be part of growing up.

I've seen some horses do tricks like mine when they're being ridden. That's pretty neat. I'd kind of like to learn how to do that. I think my mom will probably start riding me again soon. I feel all better and I think she does. I'm going to really try to behave and do what she asks me but it is hard sometimes. I do get excited easily.

So that was my day. It wasn't a hard day or anything but it was fun. And when we were done, she brought me back to my stall and gave me a nice hay snack so I did end up getting one. So that was good.

Another fun turnout

The last few days have been really nice. I feel like life is getting back to normal and I really like that. Two days ago, my mom came out and worked me in the Round Pen. She really worked me instead of just letting me play on my own. It was fun though. She free lunged me still instead of putting me on the lunge line but she stood in the center with her whip and asked me to do what she said.

I was having a good time. I was frisky and wanted to run so I did a little bit and then I trotted when she told me to. Everything was nice and then she told me to walk and then whoa and then she told me to change direction. Well, I really don't like to change direction. There's one way I prefer to go and I don't much like going the other way. Lots of times when we free lunge, I'm bad about it. Sometimes I won't do it at all and even when Mom gets right in front of me and cracks her whip, I'll get sassy and give her a hard time about it. Sometimes I rear and make a big fuss.

This time though she wasn't in any mood for my fussing. She's been like that ever since she got hurt. She's really been firm about Manners and about being a Good Horse. It was wet in the Round Pen and there were some big puddles and she got right in front of me with her whip and snapped it at me. I tossed my head and pretended I didn't know what she wanted and she dipped it in a puddle and then snapped it at me all wet so it splashed my face. I didn't really like that but I held my ground and sassed back.

And then she got really firm. She flipped that whip so that it hit my chest, then did it again and again, all the while telling me, "Turn Bella!" I was really mad but you know what? I didn't quite dare rear. She's been after me so much about behaving and I know it was rearing that got me into trouble and hurt her and I just didn't want to do it. So I finally took a step back and she stepped right toward me and kept insisting with that stupid whip. Then she reached out and pushed me around with her hand. So I finally went the other way.

She immediately told me I was a Good Girl and asked me to trot. I did but once I was about halfway around, I tried to turn quickly and get past her before she could stop me. She was ready for me though and stomped right toward my head fast making the Bad Girl sound and cracking that whip and I quick turned around again and went the right way. I tried a couple more times but every time she was on to me and I got sick of arguing about it. She made me work a good while in that direction then asked me to stop and turn back the way I like.

I was happy to do that. She worked me that way for a while and then wouldn't you know it, she asked me to turn back the bad way again! I tried to do my stubborn thing but since I'd already caved in once I knew I didn't have any chance of getting away with it and sure enough, she insisted and I gave up. It's really not so bad. I don't know why I don't like going that way but I guess I have to do it now.

It was a good workout and it ended up being a lot of fun. I did some nice running and I got all hot and sweaty. Mom gave me another Vetrolin bath and cooled me out and that was nice. Yesterday I didn't do any work. She came out at dinner time so she just cleaned my stall and gave me my bucket dinner. I was happy about that. It was kind of rainy and I was sleepy and relaxed. Sometimes it's nice to do nothing.

But today I was frisky. Sparky's mom got here first and I figured she was going to take care of me because my mom wasn't with her. I waited for her to get me out and give me a hay snack but she just stayed outside my stall and began talking to Spencer's mom. I was mad! I bounced around my stall and kicked my walls and cantered in and out of my paddock to try to get her attention but she just called me a silly horse and kept yakking. I didn't think I'd ever get out! Finally though, I heard my mom's car and I knew she'd take care of me. She always does. And sure enough, she came along with my hay snack and got me out and petted me and made me feel lots better. Sparky's mom just doesn't know how to do it right, that's all.

After my stall was all clean, Mom put my wraps on so I knew we were going to do something. Sure enough, she put my chain lead on and we started walking up the hill by the pasture with Sparky and his mom following. I was kind of excited. Since I hadn't been out yesterday, I had some extra energy and it was muddy and there were some funny noises going on so all that was enough to get me sort of snorty. Mom made me walk nicely and every time I started to jig impatiently she told me no, that I had to walk with her. It was hard.

We got about halfway up the hill and I started hearing this strange pounding sound. It was coming from one of the stalls along there. I think someone's dad was building something or fixing something the way dads do but it was kind of scary because I couldn't see what was making the noise. I kind of got jumpy as we were going past and then I got really jumpy when it kept up from behind me. I'm afraid I danced quite a lot and even sort of kicked out one time. There was a person on a horse going by at the time and Mom was very angry with me for being so bad when a rider was nearby. It was hard for me to calm down but I finally managed it. Mom was firm but she was also petting me and telling me it was okay, and she gave me a cookie to settle me down. That helped a lot.

Once we were at the top of the hill, I was better and she brought me into the Gremlin Arena. I was happy then because I knew I could run there. Sparky's mom brought him in and closed the gate and then they let us loose. I was excited! I started running really fast up and down the arena, kicking my heels up and racing. Mom wasn't real happy with me a couple of times because I kept running really close to her and Sparky's mom and my flying heels were coming kind of close to them. I wasn't trying to hurt them - I was just excited. And I like to play with people. Sparky's no fun. He doesn't run hardly at all.

I ran and ran until I was out of breath and sweat and steam were coming off me. I felt so good! Mom petted me and praised me for being so good and she gave me some cookies too. Then Sparky's mom decided to make him work and she chased him around with the whip a bit and made him trot and canter. I was glad to see it. I shouldn't be the only one who has to work.

The wraps on my back legs were all soggy wet from running through the puddles and one of them was kind of loose and falling down around my ankle. After Sparky's mom finished working him and we were both just standing with our moms getting petted, my mom told me to whoa and then she went to my back leg and began unwrapping it. I knew she wanted me to stand still while she did it so I tried really hard and I managed to do it. It was really, really hard. I was loose with no halter or lead rope on and I'd just been running around a lot but I was a Good Girl and stood perfectly still. My mom was so happy with me. Once she had that wrap off, she praised me and praised me and gave me a cookie. Even Sparky's mom praised me. Sparky tried to horn in on the attention but I flashed my teeth at him. I deserved to get fussed over.

Then she told me to whoa again and went to get the other hind wrap. This time it was a little easier because I knew how happy she'd be and I figured I'd get another cookie. And I did. My mom was really proud of me and I felt pretty proud of myself. That's a hard trick to do for me. I'm not very good at holding still.

After that, we left the arena and walked back to the barn. I was a little bratty going out the gate but Mom made me behave and I settled down after a little bit. I was still a little excited about all the running but she just kept talking to me and asking me to do tricks. That takes my mind off being fussy, you know. She's pretty smart that way.

She gave me my Vetrolin bath and put Sparky's cooler on me because I was soaking wet. The walk had cooled me down a lot though so I wasn't so steamy but she left me in my stall to rest and relax for a long time before she brought my bucket dinner. She doesn't want me to get a tummy ache. and neither do I. Now I'm nice and relaxed and I think I'll go to bed. Tomorrow should be another good day.

Walk around the farm

Last night was so wild and windy, I was glad my mom closed my paddock door. All my neighbors got wet and uncomfortable but I had a nice comfy bed and shelter from the wind. By this morning, the weather had calmed down but I didn't really have a chance to get bored or restless. First I had my breakfast hay to eat and then it was my nap time. I always take a nap after breakfast. It's a nice time to do it. I curled up in my shavings and took a good long one and I had just woken up and gotten to my feet when I heard my mom's car arrive.

I had shavings all over me and she laughed when she saw me because she said I looked cute. I had them all over my back, and in my mane and tail, and even on my ears. But I didn't care. I love to snuggle in my shavings. She got me out and gave me my hay snack and cleaned out my stall. She just pulled out the whole thing because I'd been in all night so it was kind of a mess. Normally I do most of my business outside but I can't if the door is closed.

I had a new bag of shavings outside my stall though so I knew I'd have a good bed. My mom makes sure I'm comfy. I like that. Sparky's mom was there too and she got Spark out. He had a hay snack over near Cocoa and Spencer and then when my mom was done with my stall, she put on my polo wraps and bell boots and asked if I wanted to go for a walk.

Well, I did. I feel really good now that I can get out and do something besides be cooped up in my stall all the time. Sparky's mom untied him and we set off with out moms. We went up the hill by the pasture and walked all the way up to where I used to live. We didn't go in the Gremlin Arena this time, though. We kept going all the way down the hill and past the Rolling Arena. It was fun. I was a very good girl all the way and my mom was proud of me. She gave me cookies now and then when I was being especially good.

I did get a little excited when we reached the hay barn and the Little Rolling Arena and I realized we were heading back towards my stall. I started dancing and prancing a little bit but Mom was firm with me and told me no so I settled down. It was hard. It was the first time in so long that I've gone all the way around the farm. It was almost like doing it for the first time. There were so many things to see, and horses to smell, and exciting things going on. But I'm really trying to be on my best behavior.

When we got back to our barn, our moms put us in the Round Pen to play. That was great! I love to just go out with Spark and do whatever we want to. We didn't run around today but we did play a lot of bite-face. Spark is really good at bite-face. It's so hard for me to get him and I get frustrated sometimes. He gets me all the time and then I try to get him but he's so quick! And he knows how to duck down and snake his head up from below and take me by surprise. It's so exciting when you get a really good game of bite-face going! Sometimes we rear and strike but we don't hit each other. It's all just play.

We stayed out there for a long time and then our moms came and got us. I was really good and stood nicely while my mom put my halter on but Sparky was bad, and tried to buffalo out the gate, and wouldn't whoa nicely. His mom got very firm with him and made him play the whoa game and back up and stuff. I was sorry to see Spark be bad but I was happy not to be the one in trouble. My mom praised me because I was being good even though he wasn't. That made me feel really good.

He was good after that though and my mom put me in my stall and went to lead Spark a little bit while his mom rode him bareback with just a halter and lead. My mom just led him a little bit and then let go and Spark was very good and let his mom tell him what to do. He even backed up nicely with just a halter and lead which was pretty good, I thought. And then his mom had my mom take the lead right off and rode him back to his tack box without anything but a halter. Well, I have to admit, I wouldn't have done that. I probably would have run off to the grass or something.

It was a nice day anyway. I love spending time with Spark and his mom and my mom. Maybe soon we can go riding together.

Blustery day

It's a windy and rainy day today. At least it is now. Earlier it was kind of nice even though it was raining a bit. I don't mind rain - in fact I like it most of the time. So I spent most of the morning in my paddock enjoying a light rain and watching horses working in the Flat Arena. It smelled nice, and it wasn't really cold, so it was quite pleasant.

I heard my mom's car just about when it started to come down harder and by the time she got to my stall, it was pouring. She brought me out and gave me my hay snack and then went to get Sparky out of the pasture. I wondered if we might go out for another turnout together. Yesterday we walked all the way up the Gremlin Arena and had a turnout. That was wonderful! I wasn't sure about it at first. It's been kind of a long time since I was up that way and I'd sort of forgotten things. I was a little excited and jumpy but Mom kept petting me and giving me cookies and that kept me distracted.

When we got to the top, I remembered because I used to live up there. I was happy to go in the arena and when Mom and Sparky's mom let us loose, I wanted to play! Spark wasn't really in the mood to run but I made up for him because I raced around for a while. It was so fun! I was able to really stretch my legs and gallop because the arena is lots bigger than the Round Pen.

After I was done running, me and Spark played some bite face and then our moms put our halters on and led us around. I did my tricks and my mom reminded me again about manners. I was really good. Now that I can exercise, it's easier for me to remember how to behave. And I was perfect all the way back to my stall - she said. I even did some of my tricks on the way and that was fun.

But today it was just too wild. The wind started blowing and it was coming right in the door from my paddock and blowing my shavings around. Mom just closed it so she could clean and she put Sparky's cooler on him to dry him because he was all wet. We both had a nice big hay snack because Mom knows how important it is for us to eat when it's cold and nasty.

By the time Sparky's mom arrived, the rain was just pounding down and the wind was whistling. Poor Cocoa was shivering in her stall and getting excited by the wind. I felt sorry for her. The hay truck had already gone by so I was back in my stall with my alfalfa but Spark was tied in the aisly still. His mom gave him his bucket dinner and put on his rain duds. He has a rain blanket like I do now, only his is light so he wears a warm blanket under it. Spark likes to wear a blanket when it's cold and rainy but I hate it. They feel funny and I can't roll properly. It's stupid. I roll but I can't really FEEL it because the blanket is in the way.

Mom knows how I feel so she almost never makes me wear a blanket. Instead, she closed the door to my paddock so the wind wouldn't blow the rain in and get my bed all wet. I don't really like having my door closed either but I suppose it's better than being blanketed. And I don't like having a wet bed. I'm one of those horses that likes to lay down in my bed so it's important to me that it's comfy.

So we didn't do much of anything today except eat but that's okay. I like to eat, after all, and it wasn't much of a day to do anything else. Now I'm just hanging around in my stall listening to the wind rattle the doors and the rain on the roof and feeling pretty cozy. I have a pretty nice life when I think about it.

I don't have a rainy day picture to post so I'm going to post one of me in the Round Pen.

Fun, fun, fun, FUN day!

I got to run today! Oh, it's been so long since I was able to really run! It felt so good and my mom was happy with me and I feel lots better now. And my leg that I hurt before was fine.

I also have a beautiful new halter which you can see in the picture. My mom got it special for me because she knew it would look so nice on me. It's red like my other halter but it has all these pretty glittery things on it that shine and make me look so fancy. I love it. It's soft and pretty and it matches all my other red stuff. Mom put it on me today when she came to the barn and then she gave me my hay snack and cleaned my stall.

After that, she groomed me. I made kind of a fuss about it. Mom hasn't been thoroughly grooming me much lately - just a quick brush and she always picks out my feet - but lately she's been doing a good job of it and I hate it! I have to stand still and I have tickly parts and I don't like to be touched much. Mom is gentle and she only uses soft brushes but I've gotten used to not doing it so I'm afraid I'm a little bad. She got mad at me today because I got fussy about moving over and swished my tail at her so she made me move over both ways a bunch of times. I was sorry I fussed after that.

But it was okay because I did look nice when she was done. And she did brush my face with my little soft red face brush. When she does that, she talks quietly to me so only I can hear, and she tells me how pretty I am and how much she loves me and sometimes she kisses the tip of my ear. It's nice. It's like our special little quiet time.

After all that, she put my wraps on. First she put soft puffy wraps around each leg and then put a polo wrap around it. I felt like I had big round legs but I suppose it protects them from getting hurt. She also put my bell boots on. Then she grabbed a lunge whip and brought me to the Round Pen. She let me loose and asked me to walk and I did and then she asked me to trot and I did. I trotted around a little bit and then I just took off and RAN! And she let me!

I ran around that Round Pen about a million times. I was running so fast I was almost sideways because I was going in a circle. I wasn't kicking up my heels or bucking or anything like that because I was running so fast - about as fast as any racehorse, I bet. Oh, it felt good! My mom just stood in the middle watching me and letting me go. Every once in a while she'd say, "Carefully, Bella" or "Easy, girl" but mostly she just let me do what I needed to do and that was run my heart out.

Finally I started to slow down and she started saying, "Trrrrot, Bella.... trrrrrot..." I didn't trot for the longest time; I just wasn't ready yet but finally it seemed like a good idea and I dropped down into one. She praised me for it and then gradually asked me to walk and then stop. I walked up to her then and put my head in her hands to say thank you because I was so happy she let me run.

She put her whip down then and walked around with me just loose with her. It was nice. Then I found a good place to roll and had a really good one. After that, she picked up her whip again and asked me to trot some more. She had me walk and trot and canter both ways and when I was a little fussy about changing direction she got really firm and reminded me that when she's holding that whip and telling me what to do, I have to be a Good Girl and do it. So I did.

I got all hot and sweaty and it felt really nice. Then she put a cooler on me and walked me around in the Flat Arena to cool down. When she brought me back to my stall, she washed me all over with warm water with Vetrolin in it. Vetrolin is this good smelling stuff that makes your muscles feel good after they've been working hard. She let me roll in my new shavings and then put my warm blanket on so I could dry off and not catch a chill and then she gave me a carrot and let me rest for a while.

I felt so nice. I was all relaxed and I had a clean stall and my mom was happy with me. She let me cool off all the way before she took off my blanket and gave me my bucket dinner. I was hungry by then and it tasted wonderful! And she said my leg looked fine with no swelling and no heat so I was glad of that. Looks like I'm getting better and better!

Pretty things

My mom likes to get me pretty things. I like that. I like to look nice. It makes me feel special. I have lots and lots of pretty things in my duds closet and my mom puts them on me lots of times. People always notice and say nice things about my pretty saddle pads or my wraps or my jingly beads. I have the prettiest jingly beads that my mom sometimes puts around my neck. They're all different shades of red with pretty silver bits and a big silver medallion hanging down in the middle of my chest. All along the beads are little silver bells that make a pretty tinkling sound when I walk or trot. They're so pretty! And I have a little string of beads to wear in my tail to match.

I love the color red. It's my favorite color because it looks so good on me. I have a nice red halter with a pretty red and white lead rope. I have my red leg wraps with the red bell boots. I have lots of red saddle pads. And yesterday my mom brought out a set of brand new polo wraps that are black with red hearts all over them. They're so nice! They're soft and pretty and they make my legs look so nice.

We had a nice day. She came out with Sparky's mom and while she was cleaning my stall, Sparky's mom started poking around on me and feeling all over my body. She does that to Sparky all the time but he doesn't seem to mind. I don't like it. It feels funny and bugs me when I'm trying to eat. She says she's looking for ticks which are little bugs that bite you. I don't much like ticks but I don't like being bothered when I'm eating either so I kind of bit her leg. She and my mom both got mad then and they made me stand still and behave while she checked me all over. She even checked under my belly and between my legs and all kinds of places. It was stupid. But then she checked my tail and I guess there were some ticks there because it felt pretty good when she got them out and then scratched my tail really well. It's hard to scratch your own tail. You have to back up to something and rub on it or get another horse to bite in just the right place. Sparky's mom seems to know just where to do it though and it felt pretty good. I was sorry I bit her when she did that.

Then my mom groomed me really well. I was a little fussy about it. I don't much like to be groomed even though I like to be pretty. It's just so boring to stand still! But she was firm with me and made me do it so I did. She didn't even let me play games with her with my mouth. She's gotten really strict on Manners since we had our accident. I guess I don't blame her.

Even so, it felt nice when she was done. She combed out my mane and forelock, and brushed my face which I love. She put some nice smelling stuff in my tail to make the tangles go away and brushed it all out so it looked really pretty. She cleaned my feet and brushed my legs and when she was done, I felt really special. Then she put my new polo wraps on and took me for my walk.

It as nice. Sparky and his mom were already in the Flat Arena riding and we walked around while they rode around. I tried to be a Good Girl and my mom seemed pretty happy with me. I got excited one time when Raz and his person came in the arena and started to trot around. They took me by surprise kind of and I got a little bouncy but Mom was very firm and told me no so I calmed down again. Later when Spark did some trotting, I was good as gold and just kept walking nicely.

I did all my tricks while we walked and that was fun. It makes it more interesting to do my tricks when we take a walk. I never know what Mom is going to ask for so I have to really pay attention. She likes it when i pay attention. And then when Sparky and his mom finished up and went to take his saddle off, my mom walked me up the road a little way. I was kind of excited about it but tried to behave and I did pretty well. Mom praised me and told me I was a Good Girl and then she turned me out in the Round Pen. That was nice. After behaving so much, I was kind of frisky so I did some bucking and playing and running around and Mom told me that was good. I guess it's okay when I play durning a turnout but it's not when I'm on my lead. That makes sense, I suppose. I could hurt someone when I play on my lead.

Mom left me out there for a long time so I had a good time playing and bucking and then walked around and sniffed poop and made nose trails in the dirt. She took some pictures of me in my new wraps which I was glad of. I like it when she takes pictures of me in my pretty things. Then she took me out again and I thought we'd go back to my stall but we didn't. Instead she walked me up and down the road a few more times.

I was a little excited from being turned out so I bounced a little bit and she was very firm and told me no. That made me a little nervous but she stopped me and calmed me down and let me know she wasn't mad at me, she just wanted me to behave. I felt better then. I'm not used to my mom being so strict. Usually she lets me bounce a little bit but I think she doesn't want me to do it at all anymore. Well, I can't blame her. I did hurt her after all.

I settled down then and walked nicely and she took me back and forth a few times and then let me visit with Chip. I was glad. I love Chip so much. He's such a nice boy and we nuzzled and gently bit each other and I kind of sucked on his lower lip for a little bit because it felt good and he seemed to like it. He's one of my favorite friends. We don't ever get mad at each other or bite hard or anything. We just wind our necks around each other and do gentle things. It makes me feel nice.

Mom brought me to my stall after that and took off my wraps. I had a little cut on one foot near the hoof - I'm not sure how I did that. Mom says I have to wear bell boots from now on. But my bad leg wasn't swollen or hot or anything so that's good. I'm getting better every day.