Slow and Steady Wins the Race

 Day one back to working with Tumbleweed was all about showing me his moves. 

Which I have to say, for sitting around all winter, they were quite impressive.

In fact, my herd is so old and decrepit, he and Epona are the only ones who have moves like this left anymore.

And they know it.

Epona wants her some Tumbleweed, but she is being babysat by Cowboy. (I love to watch the elders manage the wildness of the young ones.)

Oops, it's not working anymore. Epona has eyes on the bucking, running, young stud gelding.

However, Tumbleweed has his own elder babysitter, Little Joe.

After much running around and whinnying by Epona, old mama, Cowgirl, had to come to do the babysitting.

Yet, eventually, the inevitable occurred, and Epona grazed with Tumbleweed over the fence.

Today was day 2, and shockingly calm. Tumbleweed got all of his moves out yesterday, and he was very pleasant on the lead line today. I worked with him at the walk and trot, disengaging, and over obstacles, and he did everything I asked without any drama, so I released him much earlier than I had planned. 

My attitude is this: take it slow and reward him if he's calm. I'm not trying to "push his buttons," or "work out the buck," or anything like that. There will be plenty of situations very soon that will push his buttons and work out the buck without me having to even try. Right now, I just want him to be okay leaving his little mare herd and joining up with me. So far, so good.

I have a lesson with Rebecca Friday, and I'll be building on this each day until then. I hope to be back in saddle by Friday, but we will see. No rush.

I had forgotten how physical working with horses is. During the winter I kept walking, cleaning stalls (of course) and I'd be happy to get in 14,000 steps a day. Yesterday, first day back working with Tweed and taking a normal, short hike, cleaning house, stalls, etc.--20,000 steps. It's very physical work keeping up with young horses.