First visit to Camp

I drove to La Grange today to see how Paloma's doing. She is definitely settled into her new life as a ranch horse and seems pretty happy. I helped get all the horses out in the corral, there were 5 people managing 6 or 7 horses, all charging around the outside, getting aired out. Paloma is pretty good at this, she's learning to stay away from trouble and keep in the clear. She has such fun galloping along, she really shows her thoroughbred side. And while the others were puffing away, heaving after their run, she seemed like she wasn't tired at all.
Steve rode her and I followed along on his horse, Gunnar, a nice little palomino who does everything you ask (take note Kona!). Steve showed me how he's working on her yielding, turns, walking out, trotting out and moving into the canter from a big reaching trot. She has shown him her sticky places, where she gets herself worked up and he told me how he's dealing with her, which is to manage her steps and to insist that she go forward. And over time he's giving her a little less time to deliberate about what she wants to do, instead he's expecting her to do as she's asked. It's just what she needs. and while he's riding her on a loose rein now, he'll soon start asking her for more softness and start to take a feel. but not until she gets the going forward part.
Steve said she does all her ground work and round pen work really well, so her learning needs to be under saddle. He also ground drives her, which also helps her with bit acceptance. He'll be taking her out on trail and exposing her to everything in the neighborhood, charging dogs, big tractors, sheep, etc. etc. Again, it's exactly what she needs to boost her confidence .

Paloma seems to really like Steve, and he seems to like her a lot. Paloma is turned out daily with Pearl, a little black arab mare. when Paloma comes home she's going to go into a pasture situation, to help keep her happy. I'm really looking forward to my next visit in a couple of weeks when I'll ride her...