Whats up with Monroe?

Well, even though I haven't posted for awhile I have been working with baby Monroe. We have come quite a ways actually. He has become very consistant on a lunge line at walk, trot and canter commands. He has improved on the long lines as well but we definatly still need some work. Thanks to the help of Tim we also started desensitizing him to weight on his back. I was surprised that he was a little jumpy the first time we walked forward with me laying on him. But he recovered well and by the end of that session he was fine. I have to say Tim did really well too. He did not overreact and he just listened to my directions.
Today (Thursday) I sat on Monroe for the first time!!! He did really well and I am glad that his voice commands are so strong. He walks and halts very consistantly just based on my voice. I even had Tim let go of him for the last few minutes. He did well, but steering still needs adjusting. We only had one issue...we were in a halt and I asked him to walk and clucked...no response...I asked again...no response...I repeated myself and squeezed more than I had been...we launched forward and probably had all legs off the ground...Tim yells "Shaaannnnaa" queitly and I very easily calm baby boy down. So not too bad right? We have a lot of work ahead of us...but it is rewarding watching Monroe mature so quickly. Pics next time!
P.s. I was wearing my helmet!

Family Fun

Yes this is a very late post about our great weekend with my family. My Mom and Dad and Gram and Zaid came down last Friday...oh and Lydia too :) We started the weekend off with a great lamb dinner on Friday and just enjoyed the view from our house. It was Gram and Zaid's first time here so it was really great to show them our place. We also spent a lot of time petting and feeding the horses. You know the fastest way to anyone's heart is carrots right?
Saturday the boys headed to Chumash casino for a little gambling and us girls lounged around and relaxed. Gram kept Missy and Cooper company while Mom and I worked Monroe and cleaned up after the horses. We were shocked when the boys came home and Tim had a wad of cash...he won $450 in a poker tourney!!! Awesome!!!

Then we all loaded up and headed to Roblar winery for some wine tasting. We lucked into a deal on the cooking class and dinner for that night and enjoyed ourselves despite the ditzy cook. We have all been wanting to partake in these cooking classes so it was a fun thing to be able to do together.

Sunday the boys went fishing at Lake Cachuma and the girls lounged again. Mom and I gave Chuckles a much needed grooming and walked him around the neighborhood. In the meantime Gram and Cooper became fast friends :) We then went out to lunch and did a little shopping. Ahhh...shopping...it was great! Thanks Gram for everything...it was such a treat!

Sunday night we went out to dinner at Grapalo's and even saw Bo Derrick!

Monday came much to soon! Back to work for us and back to the bay area for the fam! Thanks for coming down guys! It was so nice to have you here!! Hope we can do it again soon!