Derby passed the test! Jess gets to drive!!!!

Big day. Her perseverance paid off. Jess has daily tortured Derby with all sorts of scary noise makers and other objects intended to spook. Tarps, bags, bells, cans, buckets, etc have been walked over, worn and dragged. Derby was a kicker and a bolter when scared, but through Jess's daily work, her brain flipped a switch and she is willing to look at anything and stay relaxed. I am excited about the lessons Jess has learned from her!!! I am also very proud of her. She adores Derby and is thrilled. Derby has talent! You can't probably see it in these videos because we are asking her for nothing other than to be relaxed with the cart attached.

I see fancy horses who are fancy because they are hot on grain or are scared, but I want Derby to be fancy, yet to stay calm to some degree. In order to train her how to bend, use her shoulders, carry her weight, we needed her mind. Jess won her mind!! Now the real work can begin!!!!!

Jess then drove Derby about 10 times around the arena which I videotaped. She has no over check and we don't ask anything of her, but she is calm! Wonderfully calm! This mare is very talented. Very! We know how she looks when she rocks back and collects, but I told Jess to just take it slow for the next few drives.



Rain? Rain??? What is that? It is a rare occurrence here in Phoenix, but we are preparing for 3 days worth of it!!