#plony

Day 15! She was a darling angel today. I introduced her to some more of my friends, so we just took a walk and did minimal conscious training activities. She let me catch her with very few Feelings about it and when we finished she didn’t even stop on the way back into the barn or her stall like she normally does.

She was an angel for the walk itself too! A bit of anxiety on the way up a hill to the big field, but other than that she was fine! She was willing to take a dirt bath and graze with new people nearby. She also let them pet her face without any reaction which is huge for her.

Favourite communication moment of the day was when I offered her an apple and she put her head really far down to ask me to put it on the ground for her. She still won’t take treats from the hand (except hay), but we’ll keep working on it!

Haven’t been taking many photos because I’m too busy kissing and hugging her. She’s getting really good at standing for hugs n kisses around the neck and face. I pressed my forehead to hers and she closed her eyes and leaned in.. I’m going to be sick she’s too sweet…… she magically taught herself to line up to me??? When I get up on the railing so I’m Tall she’s started moving so she’s perfectly parallel to the railing 6 inches away.

She got her tetanus vaccine finally! The needle bent because she threw her head but it didn’t break so all is well 🎉

Day 6! Did some great work in the arena. Continued to strengthen vocal cues for “Woah” and clucking. She’s getting pretty good at stopping! She gets frustrated with direct contact, but is doing great with being approached directly! I can touch her shoulder without holding her lead rope and can reach straight for her halter when I do have her lead rope in hand without putting any pressure on it.

We also learned a couple new skills! Starlight is fantastic at the art of standing and doing nothing. After a good 10ish seconds, she starts trying to get me to move by sidestepping really close to me, but she forgets she hates being touched so I just lean against her and she gives up 🐎

She got freaked out about only one thing today! It’s the first time she’s thrown a fit out of frustration instead of fear, but she still calmed down really well. I was working on touching her leg so that she can have her hooves worked on one day. She’ll let me touch down to the elbow — she’s not happy about it, but she’s patient, and that’s enough! If I touch any lower, she gets super upset, but we redirected and did some easier tasks for a while and then came back to just a down-to-the-elbow touch and she stood anxiously but very nicely.

I’ve started catching her from her stall instead of turning her out into the barn first because she’s staying calm enough that she doesn’t threaten to kick me or bolt when I approach anymore…