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.