The Trust Grows

   In the couple of days since my last post things have continued to progress at a pretty rapid pace. Once Pebbles made the choice to trust me her guarding behaviors all but disappeared. My biggest obstacle now is that she wants to be to close to me. Each day the “no touch” zone shrinks. Taylor and I are both able to walk right up to her and put the lead rope on. Yesterday I got a video of her clearly enjoying me scratching her neck that I am going to share. That was taken in the morning and by last night she was actively seeking out being touched. This morning I didn’t have time to “work” with her but she did get to have a new experience. I turned my 3 geldings out in the pasture across my driveway and that allowed Pebbles to come in to the paddock area and explore the other part of the barn. I had wondered how she would react to their leaving but she never whinnied or ran around. Of course they were still within her sight but, no longer sharing a fence line. She explored the paddock, checked in with me a couple of times, and then got down to the business of grazing. If I have learned anything about her in the last week and a half it’s that she has a really level head. Things startle her but she typically shudders or just side steps before coming right back and analyzing what it was that she found scary. He ability to settle herself so quickly is contributing to her rapid progress.

     This evening I finally got to do the one thing that has been bothering me since she came. Detangle her mane. Taylor held her on a lead rope and I applied detangler and gently picked away all of the knots and twists. She stood with her hind leg resting for almost 30 minutes while I worked and never once made a fuss. Taylor made sure to monitor her expression for distress or irritation but her eyes stayed soft and mid way her lower lip started dropping. I’d dare say she was enjoying her grooming time! Unfortunately it was after dark by the time I finished so pictures of her lovely mane will have to come later. For now, enjoy the scratching video and few pics from her time in the paddock today.