Cirrus' Graduation to Riding

What a nice night! Two down and none to go!

This fellow is younger but taller and bigger and much more "full of it" than brother Nimbus. He does everything with fire and flare. I told Jim this morning that today was Cirrus' day and he was telling me that he wasn't ready. Whatever :^)

Played with him a little bit and drove him around to freshen that idea in his head and then just got on. He stood for a long time. I moved his head from side to side and rubbed on him. He finally tried a step, but wasn't sure. I tried the same thing that had worked for Nim, but nothing. I wiggled and slapped and waved. Nothing except he put his head down and sighed. I gathered myself up and reached back and started patting his butt, lightly, then harder and harder until he made a move then I quit. Over and over until it was taking less and less and just my gathering the reins to get him to move a few steps. He was being so very careful where each step went. I got off and we walked around a bit and I rubbed on him and he was fine and frisky and bouncy. I got on and he lowered his head and nickered. I try not to be in the habit of projecting too much into the horse, but I had the distinct impression that he was "taking care" of me while I was up there and never made a move that might upset me even though I was getting like a small windmill up there trying to get some forward motion. We had a few more steps and he started to get the idea I was okay up there and was going more willingly so I quit. As I brought him out he was back to doing his happy Tigger impression.

Nim's turn. He was ready, ready! After all this is about cookies when you do good! We did very little ground prep and he stood still while I got on and did not move until asked and then took me for a nice little ride. Turns, backups, whatever I wanted. I think he has been waiting and waiting to show me what he knows. We had a couple of steps at the trot even.

While this is going on, Bella is entertaining Cirrus with a deer leg she has found. She would bring it to him where he was grazing and try to get him to chase her with it. She did everything she could to interest him in a game with that leg. Drop in just in reach. Grab it. Run. Drop it again. Hold it under his nose with her butt in the air. Race around some more. When he didn't respond, she finally dropped it and started eating grass with him.

Makes it all worthwhile! What treasures!