A Day At The Beach

While watching Guy McClain start a young horse this weekend, he told the audience, "Don't ask a little from your horse, ask a lot, in the right way".

On Sunday, November 11th, I asked a lot of Miss Isabel.

I had hoped to work on trailer loading this week but the weather and schedule didn't cooperate.  So I finally got to bring Isabel out to the trailer on Sunday.  After our whole 'leaving the barn' issue, I planned on the trailer giving us an issue.  After all, the last time she got on a trailer she went on a 24 hour journey that landed her in a strange, new place.

I brought her bowl of liquid breakfast out to the trailer.  I opened the doors and set her food down on the floor and before I had time to ask her, she was already in the trailer!  Yes, the girl likes her food.  But still, that went better than I had planned.

She finished her breakfast and then walked out of the trailer.  Like a pro!

So I got some shipping boots and put them on her.  At first she walked like a drunk Tennessee Walker but it was far from bothering her.  I returned her to her small paddock and let her walk around in them for about a half an hour.  All was good.

Then I decided it was time for a test drive.

We loaded Storm in the trailer just as a bit of added security to make it a positive experience.  And then it was Isabel's turn to get in.  It took her a bit to figure out how to bend her knees to step up while wearing some over sized shipping boots.

I turned on my new camera system and my niece, Courtney, rode in the 3rd stall* with the cell phone on, and we headed down the road... at 3 miles per hour.

It took a bit but she soon got her balance and her driving legs.  I drove 3 miles to the gas station for a quick fill up and then back to the farm.  Isabel spent the time looking out her window or munching on hay.  Far from being stressed by the situation.

She did so good we decided to let Courtney ride in the truck... and we headed for the beach!

"let's hit the beach!"

 

 

 

Isabel was such a good girl!  We walked up and down the beach, got our feet wet and played in the sand.  Courtney and Storm took off for a good gallop down the beach and Izzy was happy to just stay and run her nose in the salty sand.



As the sun set, we loaded up (and once again, she hopped right in!) and headed home.  I'm sure she was one tired baby.  It was a big day for her.  I asked a lot of her and she gave me everything.  I couldn't be more proud of this girl!


* I will of course deny this.  I would never make my niece ride in the trailer**.

** Without leg wraps and a head bumper.