Starting point

We went out to the round pen and I got to show my new person how fancy I am when I move. First I walked one direction, then trotted. Then she had me change directions and go the other way. 

At first I start out unsure and walking with short strides. I was a bit reserved. 

Then I started to loosen up and walk forward more freely. I heard a lot of good sounding, happy words for this. 

Trotting was much the same. I was a little reluctant to move out. My person encouraged me to go forward more, but I didn't quite move out much.  

I wasn't quite sure what she wanted or what she was looking for, but I did my best and she told me how good that was. It makes me want to try harder for her. 

Playing dress up

Once the goo bumps started to clear up, my person started to put a saddle on me. She started in the aisle where she always ties me up to brush me. She brushes me a Lot and it feels really good. My coat is starting to get really shiny and it's super soft.

Back to the saddles? Oh, right. First my person started by putting these weird wrap things on my legs. They are a bright color. I'm not sure if I like the color or not. My person says she doesn't like it normally, but the color looks good on me. For not liking this color, she sure bought everything she could that has it! My buckets and brushes are all the same bright color. I heard her call it pink, whatever that is.

Modeling my bright colored legs.

Then she put a pad on my back. I knew a saddle was coming next because I had worn one at my previous barn. To be honest, this was not what I expected.

If I close my eyes do you still see me? Hahaha!

Then I heard something about needing a pink pad. Oh good Lord. Here we go with that again. I guess if it's on my back, I don't have to look at it. The saddle she put on me felt different. It was a bit heavier and took up more of my back. The stirrups hung by my side and felt bigger than what I was used to. I guess I'm not in Kansas anymore?

Then she took that saddle off and put a dressage saddle on me. This one felt more like what I am used to. It was lighter and smaller feeling. A girl can really move with one of these! Lol

I'm putting my best foot forward, but I'm really starting to get bored with this. Can I just have my cookies please? Besides, are you sure this one fits me? It feels a bit large. 

Then came this. Well that sure got my attention!

She put this weird strappy contraption on my head and a cool, hard thing slipped into my mouth. 

I chewed at it and made faces to let her know I had never had this done before. I seen her smile as she stroked my neck and said it was okay to wear this thing she called a bridle. I believed her because I'm really starting to trust her. She's so good to me and then always gives me handfulls of cookies.... (ok maybe not handfulls, but she does give me a Lot!)

She took a few more pictures while I had the bridle on. I think I look fabulous. And the bridle thing looks good on me, so there is always that.