Practicing Obstacles again

Today I hauled the boys over to ride with Brooke at Upper Pond Stable. We practiced doing the obstacles in the cowboy field. Both boys were wonderful. And Buckshot is really starting to trust Brooke. It really cool seeing the bond that is starting to form between the two of them. Buckshot was fine with the tarp, sand pile, water obstacle and bridge today.  He did very well with the barrel and plank. He was a little spooked by the plank when he stepped too far away and the end feel off the barrel but he didn't make any big move. Brooke wasn't quite able to get the plank back on the barrel but came close. Shots did MUCH better at backing the "L" today. And he did his best at the gate but just couldn't quite figure out what Brooke wanted. He would not walk though the tires but again, only because he did not understand what was being asked of him. Once we reconfigured the tires into another pattern, he figured it out and was happy to walk through the tire. I had brought along my hula hoop. I carried it while riding Luke and Brooke rode beside me. Buckshot wasn't too sure of that at first, but again, didn't make any big fuss about it either. In a short time I was able to pass the hula hoop to Brooke and she was able to move it around and even touch Buckshot's head with it. He was very good about it. Then I got out the dreaded coffee container drag. Buckshot really was not to impressed with this. Brooke followed me around the field as I dragged the containers with Luke. Then she rode beside me. Buckshot did all that Brooke asked him to do but was not convinced that the containers might eat him at any moment. Then Brooke did the bank jump with him. He caught Brooke a little by surprise when he didn't hesitate for even a second and jumped right up the bank. Our friend Lindsay had stopped by and she helped us with some of the obstacles, and took some pictures. On the way out of the field after we had dismounted, Brooke dragged the coffee containers while leading Buckshot. He did not like this but he stayed with Brooke and was a good boy. 

Luke was a very good boy with all the obstacles and it was a fun afternoon. 

Brooke and Buckshot going over the tarp

Brooke and Buckshot going into the water obstacle

Brooke and Buckshot going over the sand pile

Brooke on Buckshot working the gate (that you can't see)

Brooke on Buckshot going over the bridge

Brooke on Buckshot backing the "L"

Brooke on Buckshot doing the bank jump

Cindy on Luke going through the water obstacle

Cindy on Luke going over the tarp

Cindy on Luke going over the sand pile

Brooke on Buckshot

Cindy on Luke crossing the bridge

Brooke on Buckshot and Cindy on Luke crossing ditch

Luke putting his front feet, then back feet into the tire

Two of the finest mule boys, Buckshot and Luke

Brooke on Buckshot with the Hula hoop

Brooke following me and Luke as we drag the coffee containers