Didn't get to Ride

Louie giving me his halter


Well, my original plans for today were to go riding in the afternoon with Linda and Bonnie. But, as happens in life sometimes, this was not to be. My truck has been having some problems and needs to be inspected. So I had to take it in today to the repair shop. A call later in the day from the repair shop confirmed that one of my front brakes was shot. $$$ I also had a few other errand to run so by the time I got home, I just didn't have enough time to get a decent amount of sleep before riding. I was already short on sleep the past two days so was just really tired. Bonnie had called me at work to let me know that she was staying home today because her dog was sick and she was going to try to get an appointment with the vet. Bonnie and Linda did manage to hook up for a ride down at Brown's Point in the afternoon. I had a good long sleep. Well, not as long as planned as the repair shop called at about 3:30 pm and woke me up but long enough to at least feel human again.

Louie giving me the shedding blade


I wandered out to play with Louie an Marie about 4:00. Louie was ready to play, Marie was hanging back. I had Louie picking up a brush, shedding blade, hoof pick, screwdriver and his halter. He was happy to pick them all up. I took some pictures of him with all the different items but they weren't great as it's hard to take pictures of a moving subject that is alwasy waking towards you. So, I I got some good nostril shots and cut off his ears in most shots. I think it's totally cool he will pick up his halter. He is not a problem to catch but now I when I want him I can just toss the halter out of the barn and tell him to fetch it. And he will get it and bring it right to me. Caught mule! I worked with him on bowing also. He is doing pretty well. He did a few full bows but he still plunks his forehead right on the ground when he does a full bow.

Louie giving me the screwdriver


Louie giving me the hoof pick


Marie had finally come out of the run-in so I worked with her for a bit. I put all the "stuff" I was using for Louie to fetch in a pile along the side of the paddock. I then went out into the middle of the paddock to work with Marie. Or I TRIED to work with Marie. Evey time I dropped the rope bone in front of her to target, Louie would dart in to grab it so he could give it to me. I finally drove him off. So then he started going to the pile of things I'd had him picking up, getting an item and offering them to me one at a time until he'd moved the whole pile. If I ignored him, he would gently nudge me in the back with his nose to get my attention. He is such a goof ball!!! And too smart for his own good.

Louie giving me the brush



Louie fetching the rope bone