Day Three - Monday

Today would be a day of frustration and joy. Luckily my job approved that I could work from home this week, so I set up shop via a table directly outside of the round pen. I put a big pole of fresh hay directly in front of my desk, which Merry was definitely not about to touch at first. Since I didn't accomplish my goal yesterday, today I was determined that Merry was going to allow me to touch her! Inside the round pen, I worked her on and off all day. When we worked, I would only allow her to rest if I was standing in a close proximity. She had her drag rope on, so she would get the feeling of pressure whenever she happened to step on it. It was today that I discovered that Merry is one stubborn beast! She just would NOT let me in to her world!

At 5pm, the 4-H kids that I teach free riding lessons to two days a week came over to ride. I needed a break from this mare who just would not cave! We had our jumping lesson, the whole time which Merry was watching from her pen, following each of the horses. I know she had to be thinking, "why do they allow her to do that?" as the kids and I sailed over jump after jump in the lighted arena.

After the broke horses were cooled out and put away, and Merry back in her stall, the kids mother (Maria - who lent me the trailer to pick up the horse) said that they could stay while I tried to grab her rope in the stall and see if I could get close. At this point I was feeling very pessimistic, and with only 70 days to train this horse was starting to think that I had a dud who just could not be gentled! But to my amazement, when I got ahold of the rope, it was like a switch flicked to the on position, and she stood there quietly while I stroked her neck and shoulder! Utter SHOCK would best explain my reaction to this behavior! I quickly dropped the rope and left the stall, singing her praises. Maria gave me a BIG hug and a high five!

I then decided to push the envelope and re-enter to see if it was a fluke or if my horse would let me approach her again. Once again (and a third time after that), Merry stood quietly while I pet her! I was thrilled! We decided to end on a good note and call it a night. Maybe there is hope for this wild mustang after all?

Heidi :)