This was the first time we have trailered her since we brought her home in February, and I must say I was quite a bit skeptical as to how willingly she would load... and behave. Sure enough, the old lady stepped right on without even the slightest hesitation!
We had three horses going to the showgrounds this morning, and therefore needed to bring our bigger slant-load, step-up trailer. Faith waited patiently as we had to make some adjustments for her - she is too large to fit in a single stall, so we had to move the partitions back so she could fit comfortably.
Faith made the 30 minute trip wonderfully. She rode quietly and didn't seem the least bit nervous or sweaty when we unloaded her. The only thing that was a little bit of an issue was stepping down from the trailer. It was a little difficult for her, so the next time we trailer her we'll put her in our two-horse that has a ramp.
Much to my surprise, Faith was very quiet and well-behaved. She stood tied to the trailer for about 20 minutes while we brushed her, wrapped her and tacked her up. I led her towards the warm up arena and she willingly followed, stopping once to whinny and again to look for boogey-monsters in the trash can.
My good friend Courtney graciously offered to school Faith for me. Courtney and I have been buddies for quite a while, Courtney coming from a background of showing Hunter/Jumper warmbloods and myself coming from a background of showing Morgan and Arab hunter pleasure on the flat horses. Needless to say, our styles are quite different, but it makes for interesting conversation. We have learned a lot from each other. She can now canter with her butt in the saddle; I now have a better understanding of "hunter hair". I no longer use show bows or stock pins; she now tolerates a bit of "bling" on her show outfits and no longer ties her number with a shoestring. It's all about compromise. We're a fun pair. :-)
Faith getting used to the scenery...
Faith looking at a small crowd that gathered to watch her...
She looks interested in her new surroundings, but still relaxed...
Courtney being a wise-ass and practicing her long crest release... (This horse's days of schooling over fences are long gone, but her rider today has a great sense of humor!)
Schooling at the trot...
Courtney practicing her "perfect 30-degree upper body position" that her idol George Morris requires...
A focused team...
A content pair, both with smiles on their faces...
Cooling out in the field. The sign may say "2", but we all know that faith is #1...
Courtney looks at home on a warmblood again...
Enjoying a well-deserved peppermint...
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Awww so cute=)
ReplyDelete~Margaret
Did you ever think during those long hard days trying to pull her through that this would be the end result? A gorgeous horse with a future ahead of her and many more years of being beautiful and useful? She gives me goosebumps.
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