Progress....I Think

It's been just over 3 weeks since I brought the girls 'home', and although it seems like such a short amount of time, it also seems that I should be further along with each of them.

I know I'm being too hard on myself.

I have come a long way with each of them. Some days are good, some not so good. But I DO know that I am being very patient....never aggressive; and that's good news for all of us :)

Sierra seems to push my buttons like Spuds does...it seriously must be a RBI thing. And speaking of that...I really think that these horses eat to get out of things....its not that they are starving or are food-driven (or are they??), it just really seems that they do it to get out of pressure. Because after I have her mind focused on me and we are in-sync, she never wants to eat. Very interesting.

Things I have done:

• Friendly with stick, ropes, tarp, ball, saddle pad (Sierra)
• Move away from steady pressure, front and hind end
• Move away from rhythmic pressure, front and hind end
• Circling
• Figure 8
• Yo-yo
• Squeeze
• Sideways (started)
• Can pick front feet, working on hinds
• Lateral flexion
• Used Cricket with Spirit (one session)

Spirit seems RBI, but not nearly as tense/anxious as Sierra is. Maybe because she doesn't have baggage? She 'pays attention' to me, but is more focused on everything else going on...it takes a bit to get her completely focused on me instead of things around her. But she is a total sweetheart and learns very quickly. Sierra really wants to do the right thing, she tries really hard. They are both good horses, and I just keep praying that God will send me the perfect new human for them!