Been working on leading manners and "my space" manners. She's picking up very quickly. Bothers me that her attention is always on the other horses. She's always looking for/at them and not at me.

Hooked up the trailer yesterday to practice loading since she's going to the vet on Thurs. Decided to load Dusty first and show her it's not a horse eating monster She hopped right in but DID NOT like all the banging and clanging. I made her stand for about 2 seconds then let her back out. She couldn't get out fast enough or far enough away once out.

Oh, tried tying again. She snapped the lead rope (one of those thick cotton ones) right in half. Not even a dent in her head from pulling on the halter!?!

TODAY: Tied her up close to the trailer and tied Dusty up a little farther away today. I used 2 leadropes. She tried the rodeo queen act and managed to untie both ropes . At least they didn't break. Tied her back up and let her stand there while I groomed Dusty then her. I also fitted and cut new floor mats for the trailer, making sure to bang around as much as possible.

Loaded up Dusty. Got Sarah and stepped up into the trailer but she was having none of it. Lots of pulling, little rears, just being a jerk. Enough Mrs. Nice Gal. I plopped her in the round pen and went to put Dusty and Scout back in the horse pasture. Sarah acted like she was going to die. I got my lunge whip and she and I had a little "Come to Jesus meeting" in the round pen. She ran and ran and ran and ran and ran...I didn't have to do anything. I'd make her change directions every once in a while. After a while I thought she would either 1) melt from sweating so much or 2) have a heart attack. Once I saw her slightly dip her head and start chewing I allowed her to stop. I walked her through the pasture (away from the horse pen) to cool her. Used my crop to keep her out of my space. Practiced "whoa". She did great. We worked our way back to the trailer and on the second try she got in and walked up to the front! She stood quietly, albeit nervously, for about a minute and then I backed her out.

She was still dripping sweat but her breathing was back to normal so I decided I should try rinsing her off before putting her back with others. I know, a glutton for punishment. I was prepared for her to explode when I put the hose on her. She stood there. Moved up the legs to her back. She stood there. Sprayed her neck. She stood there. Dribbled water on her face. She loved it!! Was even trying to drink from the hose! What a maroon!!