[ShadyBro]

 Owner       >>> WildHorse32
 Name                >>> Athena
 Gender         >>> Mare
 Adoption Price         >>> x
 Training         >>> [Complete]
  =====
  . Very stubborn
  . Only eats sweet food
  . Enjoys the company of other Neras

 Offspring;
 I025
 Parents;
 Dam
 Sire

 [Discipline >>>>> ]
 [Shows Entered > R: W: E:]
 [Shows Won >>>> R: W: E:]

 [Ej > ] [Ep > ]
 [Eh > ] [Ws > ]
 [Wp > ] [Wt > ]
 [Rf > ] [Rs > ]

[KathrynKat]

"First Touch"

It was time that Sassy was giving birth to her baby. I hurried over to watch the birthing of the new foal. I was excited to see what the 2 were producing. I had prepared things in case Sassy had needed my help with birthing. After an hour things were well and the foal was born. I watched for awhile as Sassy bathed her new foal. I just sat thinking of names for the new baby. "Irene, no... Jacky, no.... Hmmm how about Athena?" The foal looked up at me when I said the name. So I repeated the name as I greeted the little filly. I stroked the filly, with a smile, and then gave some attention to Sassy as well.

"First Tack"

Some time had passed and it was time to get Athena used to tack. She's been used to the halter, and is ready to learn more. I collected Athena, and brought her to the round pen. I made her move her feet then attempted in placing the pad onto her back.
she snorted being stubborn then trotted away, so I continued to ask her to move her feet. I stopped and waited for her to stop moving and move towards me. I then walked away as she approached, and she followed me to the tack. Again she moved as I began to approach with the pad, so I just repeated moving her feet. She got sick of me asking to move her feet so she finally stood in place as I tacked her up.

I had gotten her tacked, and did some practices with her for awhile before attempting in mounting. She got stubborn a bit but eventually I managed to get her to listen by rewarding good behavior with sweets from time to time.

"First Ride"

Finally after working on ground work for about an hour, I finally felt ready to mount up onto Athena. I practiced weight in each stirrup a few times before actually mounting. Finally I pulled myself up and into the saddle slowly putting weight into the saddle. I then sit for just a moment to get her used to the weight. I then signaled her to move and she didn't move a muscle so I gave a soft tap on her sides with my heels. Still no response... so I squeezed once more with my heels after 5 seconds. I didn't let go of pressure until she started to move for me. I waited about 10 seconds then clucked and bumped my heels against her sides once. Finally she began to walk but with her ears back. She was being very stubborn today, that's for sure.

I patted Athena on the neck and spoke quietly to see if it would relax her as we walked. She rose her head and trotted soon as I signaled her. We rode around for about 10 minutes, between walk and trot in the round pen. I signaled her to the gait and to stop, I then lean over to unlatch and she stayed pretty calm. I then asked her to move the opposite direction of the gate as I held onto it to open the gate. She then spooked and moved away quickly and I lost grip of the gate so it slammed shut and Athena spooked more and I slipped off of Athena. I grumble to myself "I should've known she wasn't ready for that."

I get up and dust off my pants and settle her down as I collect her reins. I lead her out of the pen opening the gate as I lead her to show her it was okay. I stopped by the gate, and shut it right beside her so she would understand it's no harm. I then lead her to the arena and latch the gate. I then mount up and continue her training. I trotted her over poles, walked and trotted her by, an over then under a tarp. I continued different practices for about an hour and half then finally dismounted. She was warn, and tired but I rewarded her with her favorite sweet, and hosed her down. I then released her back into her pasture and went to shower and rest for the day.

[KathrynKat]

I025
with Duncan