Hey Reader!

It's been a long day for me so I'm ending on a happy note! 😊

I could tell just by looking out the window this morning, that the air was much clearer than it's been for awhile!

I didn't even bother to take our air quality monitor out. I just got going as quickly as I could, and set about watching videos from the horse trainer I follow.

You see, I was about to take a big step!

I was about to put a saddle on my young mare for the first time! 😬

I didn't anticipate any trouble, as long as I kept following through with my programme, but 🤷🏻‍♀️ horses have a mind of their own so you always have to 'hope for the best but be prepared for the worst'!

It was a busy morning at the stable! Lots going on. ...and I had to be back home in enough time to eat lunch and be prepared for a 2-hour afternoon meeting! ...the last thing I wanted was to be in a rush while working with my horse. 😐

So I did my best to keep my breathing slow and steady and all my actions as typical as any other day. ...which was really hard because I was so excited!

Then she balked while walking to the arena ...not once, not twice, but three times! (She hasn't done that for weeeeeks!)

I began to question if today would really be the day. 🤔

I brought her in, I proceeded as I had every other day, by walking her in hand both ways of the arena and stopping at random places. No trotting this time, as I didn't want her to get her energy up before saddling her.

I introduced her to the saddle, letting her sniff it. Then I put the saddle pad up on her, from both sides, watching for any negative responses.

Then I put just the saddle up on her, no pad, no girth, and watched for her reactions. Each time she had a positive response, I removed it.

We did this from both sides, many times ...my arms were aching! 😂

Then I put the saddle pad up with the saddle on top. No problem with that on either side.

I attached the saddle pad to the saddle (so I didn't have to worry about it slipping off under the saddle), and popped them both up on her (from both sides) and watched for any negative reactions.

Finally, I found a girth that would fit her, cinched it up loosely and later more tightly, and moved her hind end away from both sides, until she was carrying the saddle without a concern.

This is only the beginning of this exercise. I'll do more work similar to this for a day or two before we move forward with more.

I want to be absolutely certain she's cool with the saddle on her back before 😬 adding my weight to the mix! 🤠

Everything went very smoothly except I put my retractable flag down at some point and she stepped on it 🤦🏻‍♀️ It's permanently extended now 😓 ...thankfully the only casualty!

How about you? Do you have a win to share? ...horsey or otherwise, I'd love to hear about it!

Well, I hope your weekend is beginning well!

...until I hear from you, stay well and take care...

Remember, if you’ve missed previous emails (the public ones, at least), you can go here to read them.​

-Sylvia (sharing a win) Schneider

PS - Here are some handy links to information:

1. ​15 Ways Horses Can Improve Your Life​
2. ​15 Lessons Experienced Horse People Have Learned ...and Want to Help New Horse Lovers Understand!​
3. ​Are You Ready for Horse Ownership? (A Comprehensive Checklist)​

Need the 'Easy Button'? If you have a pressing concern regarding a horse or equine related matter, and you need help NOW, you might want to consult about it using this link as your 'Easy Button'.