In the days preceding Pebbles arrival at Sunrise Landing I hummed and hawed about how best to approach loading her without to much stress. Fortunately Melinda's horse trailer is a stock type that is inviting. We elected to back the trailer to the gate and then load Sugar first in hopes that Pebbles would follow. Both girls are highly food motivated so hay bags stuffed with nice hay was all the lure it took! Sugar got on and began munching away while Pebbles moved right to the edge of the step and reached for whatever she could get. I let her take her time and think about it without any pressure and after about 10 minutes she just stepped right on and we closed the door. It was so much quicker and easier than either of us had anticipated! We left Flat Iron Farm and started the hour trip feeling very good about things.
Once we got to the farm I shut my 3 geldings out in one pasture and we drove the truck and trailer in to the paddock and backed up to the barn. Pebbles casually stepped off and walked calmly down the isle and in to the area we had sectioned off for her. Easy peasy! I think she might have whinnied once or twice to Sugar but the lure of a grassy pasture had her out and grazing within minutes. The boys were doing their best to show off and get her attention but she hardly paid them any attention. I got her set up with some water and hay and then let the boys back in to the paddock and barn area. Even when sniffing noses she never squealed or kicked at anyone. I was, and continue to be, impressed by her sensible nature. She is not spooky in the slightest and if something does startle her she recovers very quickly. Once we have gained her trust and are able to really handle her I think she's going to progress quickly and make a great riding partner.
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