I had a training ride planned on Max for this morning but wanted to make sure to take Maya out for even a short amount of time. My focus for her right now is building our relationship. I took her out of her paddock a different way than from our usual route since Max was still eating his breakfast. She leads much better now and is a little more polite, still has work to do to not be quite so on top of me but she's not pushing the way she used to. We passed through a gate and she spooked, silly mare. So I squeezed her past the spot 2-3 times until she realized that the poop pile was not in fact going to get her.
I groomed her making sure to touch her everywhere and she did very well. Up until I was cleaning her back foot and something startled her and she went straight up, landing on my foot. I got away with a bruise and was glad for my leather endurance shoes.
Since I was pressed for time, I did not take her to the arena, I played with her next to the grooming area. We did friendly game, some yo-yo, porcupine, and a little driving. She was a champ for all of it. I even was able to fly spray her which is a big deal.
I am working on my own patience going one step at a time with her. She is sensitive and reactive and in so many ways I could be better off with a different horse, but something about Maya compels me. I feel as if I am going to grow as a horsewoman with her and that she will take me to my goals even if I don't have them set yet.
Here is Max ready to go for our trail ride. He is my heart horse but I know that I need to develop a relationship with Maya that will be different but as strong as the one I have with Max.
