Bonding Day.

Upon arriving at the ranch, I was greeted with this:



Today Solomon was a very soft and good hoss.

There were people there shopping for horses all day (I think Reiny Day has been sold!) so Sol and I were left to our own devices again.

First I lunged him! We are really learning how to communicate with each other. I am learning how to tell Sol to do things, and he is learning how to listen. He transitioned between walk, trot, and canter beautifully today. He also rolled back on the fence very well. The one thing he did not do well was whoa. He wanted to come all the way in again, like he used to do. I think he was feeling cuddly or something, but of course I didn't let him.



After I lunged him, we went for a walk! I was busy leading and could not get any photographs of this part, but we ran a barrel pattern on the ground, just for fun. There are some traffic cones set up out there, and we wove around them. Solomon actually did a really good job with it.

Then I took him through the wood milling area. We walked over a tarp (Solomon says "yawn" to that,) between logs and wood piles, over some really soft sawdust in a pile (he was very careful on that) and then over a big huge log. He was a little worried about the log but he trusted me and stepped over it. He did drag his back feet over it a little bit, but didn't scrape himself up, and I was very proud of how brave he was. He'll make a good trail horse yet! He is getting a lot more willing.

So after he did the obstacle course with me, he was rewarded by going to our special place.



Look at the size of that butt!



Solomon would wander a bit to graze, but he always came back to me to check in. A quick sniff with his velvety nose, a gentle nuzzle, or a little thieving.



Hat thief!!!

This is why I can't get a straw hat. He would crush it.

And now, your moment of zen. Warning- dull, but soothing.



On the way back, the herd came thundering up to the fence. Pooh Bear was in with them. Pooh Bear is a gelding raised (I do believe) on the ranch, but sold some years ago. His owners are out of town on personal business, so he is boarding at the ranch for a little while. He also has decided that the big pasture herd is HIS and NO ONE ELSE'S. Solomon was all about matching him pose for pose, but he was pretty willing to listen to me as well. If he hadn't been, it would have been the halter for him. By the way, despite what I say to Solomon, the horses are NOT for suckers- they are very fine horses.



The alpha boy in all his glory. He looks like a Fashion Star Filly. I mean his legs don't look like they have socks, they look dusted with gold, and his eyes look like they are made of amber.





How cool is that?

But yeah, very protective.

Here is Solomon, eating his grain pan. Hrm. I think he might be getting a wee bit fat. I will need to watch him! Perhaps it is just time for more work.



At the end of the day I went into the pasture with him.



He had to tell Poco Joe in no uncertain terms that I was HIS human.



But mostly he was a sweetheart and he enjoyed his massage so much that he dozed off.

Okay, two more pictures because I think he is such a pretty boy.