Day 98 and 99 - a couple of firsts....

 Friday, Jan 14, 2011 - Doc (finally) received his first hoof trim. It certainly wasn't picture perfect, but it was great for a first trim. He's still sporting a large amount of toe flare, but he's growing in a new hoof with much better wall connection. I'm going to fit him for boots on those front feet. He's been a little ouchy on the rocks.

Saturday, Jan 15th, 2011 - Doc went to his first Parelli Study Group at Cottonwood Creek Equestrian Center....even though our arrival time was an hour late, Doc refused to get in the trailer, but after much schooling, to the point where he was huffing and puffing, he decided it was a lot easier to get in the trailer. He was really testing me and tried to come over the top of me twice, I had to really get after him a couple times... he seemed a little surprised at that. For support (and because I wanted to RIDE) 'Papa' Rolex came along.
Everyone commented on how awful his legs looked, "it's so much worse looking in person!" ... but actually his legs look A LOT better!
The goal at Study Group was Circling Game, and so we circled all around the arena. We walked over logs, weaved a line of barrels, even backed around two barrels in the figure 8 pattern. Somebody's son was waiting outside the arena, and would pop up over the fence every once and a while, Doc was pretty sure he was a horse killin' kid! We did lots of squeeze game there until he realized kids don't hurt horses. Then I locked him in a small pen while I tacked up Rolex, and Doc hollered and screamed for his Papa Rolex to come back!!! Everyone was very tolerant!
I handed Doc over to Gail, then Jennifer showed me how to teach Rolex to move over to the fence for easy access (Thank you Jenn!)....and I took Doc from Gail and began our adventure. Doc did GREAT! His only downfall is trying to nibble on Rolex, which mostly went away after Rolex swung around to bite him! We trotted and briefly loped in the arena, then we went outside the arena and explored.
This week is supposed to be sunny, so I hope to fit in some more riding and ponying in!
And yes, I know I should have taken pictures... please forgive me...
~ Alicia