We decided to stay home for the weekend since the gas prices are going up and we're pretty low on cash.

I've been trying to rest and de-compress as much as possible and most of my confidence is back and I'm feeling determined as ever to live my dream with horses.

I went out to feed Lady this morning with quiet confidence (I wasn't nearly as nervous as I thought I would be) and when I entered her corral with my carrot stick at my side, she approached me with a very soft look. I was semi-shocked but I offered her my hand and then walked away to continue my business.
She circled around and tried to cut me off with a snotty look and I brought out some energy and popped her on the chest with the leather popper on the end of my Savvy string.

She backed up quite quickly, looked at me with a shocked expression and then licked her lips.

Every other time she tried to approach me, she had a soft and curious expression and I would offer her my hand and move away.
If I was doing something, she respected my space and she waited until I was out of her stall to go in.

I'm very satisfied with the results! I feel more in control and safer now that I know it's okay to protect my space and that it works. Thanks, Mariah!

In other news: I am on Lesson 8 in Level 1 and the next tasks are to teach Lady to lower her head from pressure and release. (Porcupine Game) and to pick up all four feet from one side.
We are already learning how to lower her head and so we shouldn't spend too much more time on that. The feet though.... oh goodness I think I'm going to skip that one and go to the next games! It's going to take a while and it's something I want to work on with Mariah.

That's it for tonight!

Katie