What a wonderful day on the farm!

After work this morning I went out to see Moo and, since we've been letting the goats back out, she was laying on her side getting groomed by Buck's horns. As soon as he saw me he took off so she let me pet her for a while and we talked a little. I went on to the back so I could look over the horses since they weren't in the barn for breakfast and Moo stood up watching me intently the whole half hour I was out there. I'm not sure if she was thinking I was a fool for going in the middle of those crazy prancing horses or thinking she'd come rescue me if they ran over me. Of course, since she was hiding behind a tree with her head poking out I'd say the latter. I didn't have the heart to tell her that the tree didn't have leaves and I could see her big butt sticking out behind it.

I then went out to check on our three horses in the front pasture and they ran to welcome me, Smoke leading the way and nudging me to see if I had treats. I noticed that Midnight seemed more insistent that the other two allow him in the circle for a few strokes so I took his lead and had Vincent bring me a lead rope. As I walked away from the circle he followed me and after standing next to him for several minutes he nudged me! I attached the lead and we started work. After a short walk he stood still for a full five minutes with his ears right on me. Then I rubbed and scratched him all over his body including his butt and leggs. He never flinched. Then I sacked him out with the rope and after one quick start he stood stock still the rest of the time. We did a few turns in both directions and I then went in for some nuzzling before removing the lead. I was very impressed!

The best news of all is that I made contact with someone I used to work with at Walmart who is currently in training to be a Parelli instruction and she's also a certified farrier. I scheduled a two hour training session in a couple weeks for Fizzle's owner and myself. We are both very excited to get some one on one personal time with her! And it will be great to have her as a recommended farrier to our boarders.