Day 71

Thought I better review some things Rose learned several weeks back so we brought out the big green ball and practiced some jumps again.  Don't think I will include jumps in my routine but you never know when you may have to improvise.

Day 70

OH MY GOSH the competition is only 3 weeks away!!!  Butterflies are starting to flutter around in my belly.  Rose is really doing well.  We have all of our maneuvers down and she looks relaxed and willing when we do them.  Working on our finals program.....hoping we get in the top ten!!  Can't wait til the last minute and expect to wow the crowd and the judges so we are working on some really cool stuff.  Haven't taken any pictures in over a week.  I'll see if we can take some tomorrow.

Day 60

Today we started "2 a days".  With only 30 days left and 60 days under our belt I am going to step up the pressure on Rose a little bit.  I think she can handle it fine.  If not I will back off again.  She did side pass a couple of steps down the feed trough but it is so slick she stepped on herself.  I decided to leave that project for another day when I can figure out how to fix the slickness issue.  Continuing to fine tune our compulsory moves and verbal cues.

Day 59

Just got back from the Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover in Ft. Worth.  What a great job those trainers did with their 120 day mustangs.  Learned a lot and really enjoyed all the events.  Got to see the film documentary Wild Horse Wild Ride.  Great story about some fantastic mustangs and their trainers.  Rose had a few days off while I was gone but we picked up right where we left off.  She really likes to learn new things and enjoys spending time with people.  Soaks up new things just like a sponge.  She amazes me every time I work with her.  Worked on more of our compulsory in hand maneuvers and side passing today.  Stepped right up in the feed trough and stood there wondering what I wanted her to do next.

Day 55

Rose got a day off today.  The wind started howling and the dirt was so thick I couldn't even find her pen this afternoon.  Too bad the wind blew those beautiful blue clouds away before they could drop some rain on us :(

Day 54

Rose had a great day today!  She had been resisting laying down a little but today she just said OK and down she went :) Did a lot of desensitizing to things while she was laying down.  Played peek-a-boo as you can tell by the picture ;) Doing much better with our in hand maneuvers. 

Day 53

Rose was a little stinker today.  Did not want to listen very well or try very hard.  Hopefully she was just having an off moment or a little tired from the trail ride this weekend.  She did really well at the ride.  Everyone loved her and thought she was just too cute! We worked on our in hand maneuvers and jumped some barrels today.  Put a slicker over her head and led her around and she did great with it!  Mom was having a hard time with the camera...needed new batteries so no pics of that yet but we will be doing lots more of that in the coming days.  Gonna post a couple of pics of her trotting and jumping over the barrels.

Day 50

Sorry I haven't updated in such a long time but I've been busy with school,etc.  Rose is really doing well.  She has gained some weight and her coat is shiny.  I've just about got her mane trained to lay to the right so everyone can see her brand.  Been keeping her shaded and her color is really getting dark...she is almost solid black now.  Took her to the state park and ponied her off of my other mustang Rainmaker for about 3 hours yesterday. She got to see and do lots of new stuff.  Tomorrow we are going back to the state park to participate in an ACTHA trail ride to benefit the Mustangs.  That will be good for her to be around all those other horses.