Abra: progress report

She is standing still much better. When I get on she is not in a big hurry to get moving.

I do lots of trotting with her - both sitting trot and posting trot.

She is certainly ready to canter. She knows how to do it on her own when out in the field. She will do it when I longe her. Hopefully she can add this soon to her list of accomplishments.

I watched her being ridden in the lessons a few times. Can I ride her again someone asked me. I said it was up to the barn management.

She is not too worried about noises in the arena. She is interested when she hears someone talking outside - I just tell her that they are not talking to her. Squirrels running around in the rafters or talkative barn cats do not seem to bother her.

She has lost some weight. A new girth is coming soon. I have bought a new bridle - it just needs to be oiled and prepared for use.

She gets quite warm when she exercises so she often wears the blue wool blanket. Now the ties on it are really finished - I cannot blame this on Bishop who seldom wore it. I am investigating some blanket clips to hold it together.

She moves very nicely on the longe line. She walks and trots on command. We are working on getting her to halt and stand still. Walter suggested free longeing her - letting her run around loose with a few directions with a longe whip - never touching her with it but encouraging her along in the required direction. Then she is ready to canter some.

I have checked out the vet program for next year - she will be part of that. The blacksmith who took such good care of Bishop will be attending to her as well. She will probably be barefoot by the spring.

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Abra has bonded well with the other horses and people too. There are certain ones she likes and does not like when she is out in the field during the day.

I looked up the other morning and there was a staff member who had returned to work. He had just met Abra the day before. Now he can get top know her too. He took very good care of Bishop with various aliments.

I feel like I am getting to know her and want to spend more time with her. I am riding or longeing her four times a week. She is such a gentle little mare with a gentle personality. She is easy to ride and I feel safe with her. The only time I notice that she is shorter than Bishop is when I jump off her - the ground is a lot closer.