Getting back into the swing....

This was the third beautiful evening that I have been able to get Faith out on to the yard again, and this evening she was visibly more relaxed.

We had a lovely groom, and as I managed to get about half a gallon of conditioner into her mane yesterday, having that brushed through was a more pleasant experience for both of us, and took considerably less time than it normally does. She was also brilliant having all her feet picked up and handled.
Nobody got any electric shocks this evening, although I still can’t work out what the trigger is.

Up until this evening Faith has not crossed the ‘drain of doom’ , even though the yard has been perfectly dry. However, this evening I wondered across to the other side of the yard to get something, and lo and behold Faith followed me! When she decided to go it alone back in the opposite direction however, she felt it necessary to execute an enormous leap over the drain, and nearly crashed into the wall of the stable block on the other side!

My neighbour happened to be exercising her youngster in our hayfield, and her companion mare was going ballistic in her paddock, hooning around and neighing her head off. Faith suddenly became very alert at this point, and grew to about 18hh. I stepped back from her, expecting her to rush towards the yard gate, but she just stood like a very impressive statue staring at the little mare running around the field. I went over and stood by Faith’s shoulder and just started scratching her withers and neck, and within seconds she visibly relaxed, and I clicked and treated every time her head dropped and her muscles relaxed.

I was even more pleased when I asked her to walk away from the spectacle, and follow me into her stable, which she did without a moment’s hesitation. So I gave her her jackpot, and left it at that.