Sunday it was back to the ring with Lilly. Nothing like the hair o' the dog that bit ya! We brought down the tarp and the rope and got started. Right away it was clear that the rope was just as scary as the tarp.
Brandon came along as the pictographer. This is how we got started: With baby steps. I am leading Lilly while Bill has the rope which is simply laying on the saddle. She can see the loose end out of the corner of her eye. You know how you know a horse is looking at something with fretful concentration? Well, that is exactly how Lilly was looking at the rope.
Slowly we walked around the ring. Again and again. Bill moved the rope so it was across the saddle and dangling down on the other side.
This picture reveals that even baby steps require a lot of patience. This happened on a turn where Lilly could feel the rope on her legs. And then she saw the rope as if for the first time all over again. Easy does it, brumby. This rope will not hurt you. Whoooooooah. Whoooooooah.
Later Bill was able to move behind her. I could see her looking to make sure where Bill was. She sure wanted to keep an eye on him and that rope.
Every time Bill pulled on the rope (kind of like a skijorer might), Lilly would start walking a wee bit faster. She didn't like it, but she was very brave and most of the time kept walking. I even saw some licking and chewing. My brumby was bravely pressing her heart forward.
Sometimes when she was worried, she'd push into me.
Or try to flip around. Sometimes I'd point her (literally) in the right direction and she'd reluctantly go there. Other times we'd have to turn a tight 360 to get her going in the right direction again. Baby steps. Patience
really is a virtue.
But she was doing just fine! She was trying hard to get it right, and to trust us.
Keep pressing with that heart, Brumby! 
We did this with Lilly for about an hour. Bill thought it was essential to end on a good note. So then I got on her. She was very good with me on her, a relief since you never know how much of the freakiness will carry over to another activity. She was stellar. Maybe she was glad to trade the ropes for me. Good ole brumby.
Sunday it was back to the ring with Lilly. Nothing like the hair o' the dog that bit ya! We brought down the tarp and the rope and got started. Right away it was clear that the rope was just as scary as the tarp.
Brandon came along as the pictographer. This is how we got started: With baby steps. I am leading Lilly while Bill has the rope which is simply laying on the saddle. She can see the loose end out of the corner of her eye. You know how you know a horse is looking at something with fretful concentration? Well, that is exactly how Lilly was looking at the rope.
Slowly we walked around the ring. Again and again. Bill moved the rope so it was across the saddle and dangling down on the other side.
This picture reveals that even baby steps require a lot of patience. This happened on a turn where Lilly could feel the rope on her legs. And then she saw the rope as if for the first time all over again. Easy does it, brumby. This rope will not hurt you. Whoooooooah. Whoooooooah.
Later Bill was able to move behind her. I could see her looking to make sure where Bill was. She sure wanted to keep an eye on him and that rope.
Every time Bill pulled on the rope (kind of like a skijorer might), Lilly would start walking a wee bit faster. She didn't like it, but she was very brave and most of the time kept walking. I even saw some licking and chewing. My brumby was bravely pressing her heart forward.
Sometimes when she was worried, she'd push into me.
Or try to flip around. Sometimes I'd point her (literally) in the right direction and she'd reluctantly go there. Other times we'd have to turn a tight 360 to get her going in the right direction again. Baby steps. Patience really is a virtue.
But she was doing just fine! She was trying hard to get it right, and to trust us. Keep pressing with that heart, Brumby! 
We did this with Lilly for about an hour. Bill thought it was essential to end on a good note. So then I got on her. She was very good with me on her, a relief since you never know how much of the freakiness will carry over to another activity. She was stellar. Maybe she was glad to trade the ropes for me. Good ole brumby.
3 comments:
Poor sweetie. I am glad it ended better. I know that head push when scared. Pie uses that often to communicate that I am taking it too fast. Glad she was good to ride. Kiss her up and spoil her for trying! She is a little angel in the snow.
Aw little Lilly. She is trying something new and not so sure about it. She'll get it ..patience is the key and Bill is sure great about the on hands training and support. How smart of you to think of a way to get your Hubbie out there to have some fun!! Hmmm..now only if Laz could slam dunk a Basketball.....
xo!
Funny how something she should have been used to from early traning, would make her so worried now. You would think a riders legs would be more worriesome than a thin piece of rope.
Watching the photos of you guys following her behind gave me a fright, remembering when my mare kicked me in the face last summer when I was following her...just about the same distance.
I'm so glad that your beautiful brumby was well behaved and didn't kick out at anyone on fear.
Be careful...
~Lisa
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