Ruby's Big Adventure

Yesterday evening, Ruby left the comfort and familiarity of Walnut Grove and traveled to Journey's End Farm near Bristol where she will board for a month and receieve obedience training. Her adventure had a rocky start, as Ruby did not appreciate being loaded into the horse trailer. After an initial fight, though, she rode smoothly up the road--with her pal Jezebel by her side (for security and peace of mind, both human and equine). Showing her stubborn streak, she at first refused to back out of the trailer when we arrived at the barn, but after watching Jezebel do it (and receieve a handful of hay as reward), Ruby aquiesced. She made herself right at home in her new stall and introduced herself to her neighbor, Stony, with a loud "neigh!" Today, Mom and I visited her and watched Lisa, the trainer, work with her in a round pen. Utilizing natural horsemanship methods (as seen in "The Horse Whisperer" for instance), Lisa had Ruby obeying commands in about 30 minutes. Though sometimes more interested in fellow animals--horses grazing nearby, Chompers the dog, and Hamlet the three-legged cat--than Lisa, Ruby nevertheless aced her lesson. After a pat on the neck and an apple/oat treat, Mom and I left Ruby to bask in the temporary glory of a job well done. Copper would be proud.