When does the confidence come? (Book warning)

I took Koda to church today. Ok I took her after church, and since our church is a cowboy church it's highly encouraged. Last time I took her there when there was stuff going on, she acted like a demon. The pastor's comment from the pulpit was that he's "seen some of our horses, and some of us need to spend more time praying on them." My husband starts laughing because Pastor must be talking about Koda and me. She was THAT bad.

Today, I loaded her up. I have to put a longe line on her and loop it just below her rump to force her into the trailer, but she seems to load better and with less trauma that way. We got there and I did a few longe circles with her - walk, trot, turn and stuff. There were lots of adults and older teenagers. Very few children - that's how I wanted it next time I took her up there. There were steer and dairy calves and lots of noise and people everywhere.

I walked her around the barrels then just walked around the arena on her. Wanting to expose her to as much as possible I tried to be close to the action (but not in it). I was outside the arena when they were running the steers from the back of the arena to the front. Two of the steer escaped. Someone hollered and I was trying to figure out what to do. I want to be able to help run cattle on her, but have no experience. I turned Koda to get her out of the way. I guess she was as excited as I was. I think she was trying to decide if she was supposed to chase or run (just like me). When I turned her and started to walk her away, she decided that meant she was supposed to run. I reined her in though.

Life went on and I had to feed the family, so I took everyone home, fed everyone, and left them all home except the horse. Then I went back to the church.

I actually cantered!!

I decided to chase one of the calves. She didn't whoa when I told her, but I just kept turning her until she slowed down and listened again. I wish I had the confidence and the knowledge to ride her and concentrate on moving the cattle without having to convince my horse what she's supposed to do.

I seriously need a riding buddy who knows what she is doing. Maybe, if I keep praying, when we move to our new ranch (in 2 or 3 years) there will be a built in riding buddy living beside me.

Meanwhile, I need to get my hubby's camera and camera finger working again. Need some photos for you to see.