After some time off, a move and a bit more time off... It has been a month since Mazy has been worked at all. No lunging, long line work, riding or driving and yet for a young impressionable pony like she is- she has taken it all in stride and picked up where we left off.
Mazy hadn't been working since the little rat at the barn had been doing everything in her power to disrupt everyone's schedule and inconvenience everyone and anyone, every way possible. It was just easier to turn her out and wait for the move. My friend had found a different barn in a more pleasant part of town, our ponies would have more turnout, they had a smaller arena with better footing and it was covered. The drawback was the cost was a touch more, but well worth it. We would also be sharing feed and tack rooms with all of the other boarders.... Not sure how well that would work.
As the end of the month drew near, plans fell thru and it looked like we would be stuck dealing with the drama another month. 😞 Then things changed for the better. Another woman who had left the barn called to ask if we were still moving and could she have our stalls when we did. Where she was at was too far away for the 2 trips a day to feed... That barn happens to be closer for us and as it turns out- literally swapping stalls at the two barns worked out well for everyone. Yay!
With the new stalls came a private feed and tack room per stall. The arena is good sized for riding and driving and while having the jumps out there may not happen, the footing is good and there are no mosquitos. It isn't covered but it literally poured last night for probably 20-30 minutes and yet we were able to drive Mazy when I got there.
For the purpose of keeping everyone safe in the process, Mazy was lunged before harnessing up. She needed a brief reminder to mind her manners and walk a few laps before trotting or cantering but quickly acquisced and worked like she should. Harnessed up and ready to go, I walked Mazy back out to the arena where the cart was waiting. She stood like a rock while I put her to and again after our drive while I unhooked and removed the cart and harness. She literally did not budge. Love that about her.
Since we are in a new arena I wanted to be sure our steering and brakes were both functioning so I put the reins on the lowest hole of the curb settings on the bit. We started out at a walk, turned both directions making big circles and then started to work our way around the entire arena. At one point Mazy got a little worried about something outside the fence, but a little reminder to move on and words of encouragement to relax her, brought her focus back to her job and that was that. When the neighbor stray showed up and was barking along the fence, she raised her head in concern, but again- a few words and a reminder to ignore it and she moved on.
All and all it went well and for her 8th time being driven, Mazy is doing exceptionally well. Enough so that there has been some outside interest in her and I need to get video. Mazy has been a project pony all along and it may be time for he to move on soon.
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