Starting the hard work (KM)

[Rubyrocks loves Her Pony]

Lucy

I walked down to the stables and smiled as I saw my horses, but today I was working on the ones that i couldn't ride,yet. I walkd over to Cupcake and Rolo's stable and smiled, "You ready for som work, both of you!" I said smiling, I was hoping it was going to go well. I was told by one of my friends that a girl called Carrie would be coming to help me, I hoped she was good and was nice. I looked around the stables no one was here but I didn't mind, I knew that Carrie would be here soon. I patted Cupcake and smiled, I thought that we could start with her first and then if we had time we would start on Rolo.

[KM loves MUSIC and PEANUT!!!!]

~ Carrie ~

I walked down to the boarder barn with a smile. I was supposed to be helping someone out with some foals and I thought that sounded fun. As I laughed when I stepped into the barn hearing a loud whinny, I could tell it was Rosie assuming that I was here for her, "Not today little girl." I said under my breath as I walked down the aisle. I walked until I found the girl I was gonna be helping. "Hey are you Lucy?" I said with a bright smile.

[Rubyrocks loves Her Pony]

Lucy

I smiled and patted Cupcake and then went to give Rolo a carrot and I fed it to him and he took it nicely too. I heard footsteps but didn't look. I was patting Rolo when I heard the voice. I spun round to see where the voice had come from. "Hey, yep i'm Lucy. you must be Carrie then, right?" I said smiling pleasently to the girl.

[KM loves MUSIC and PEANUT!!!!]

I smiled and nodded. "Yes I'm Carrie and its nice to meet you Lucy." I said with a smile and looked at the younger horses, and thought about half a second. "So these must be the little munsters we have to halter break." I said with a smile and then added. "They are very nice looking and look like they will turn out to be really nice horses." I smiled and popped my knuckles an old habit of mine that I never grew out of and asked. "So who did you want to start with?" I asked with a smile.

[Rubyrocks loves Her Pony]

Lucy

I smiled, "Nice to meet you too!" I said smiling sweetly. I smiled and nodded, "Yep, hopefully their not to bad!" I said giggling slightly. I really was hoping they would be good though! I smiled at the lovely comment Carrie gave, "Thanks! hopefully they will turn out nicely with the right work and good training, which I hope to get from you!" I said smiling sweetly to Carrie. I looked to Carrie, "I havn't really done anything, no one has actually been willing to help me, except from you. I'm so greatful that your going to help me, it's really kind of you!" I said smiling. I looked to Cupcake and Rolo. "Well.... they both can be lead by the headcollar and don't mind it, they are now used to it and they been fine with the headcollar, they havn't minded on bit! which is great, so their good with the halter!" I said smiling. I looked up to Carrie smiling, she was really nice.

[KM loves MUSIC and PEANUT!!!!]

~ Carrie ~

I smiled and nodded to her. "I'm sure they'll do just fine from what you've told me about them." I said with a smile, looking over the young horses again, they were fine looking horses. I stepped forward and held out my hand to let the youngsters smell me. "You are very lucky to have such fine looking horses, I'm sure they will have beautiful builds when they are all done maturing." I said with a smile to Lucy. I much enjoyed working with the horses that I titled the babies, I called all horses under the age of seven that, a habit I got from my mom. "Yeah I enjoy training my mom and dad trained thoroughbred, arab, paint crosses and morgans, my dad loved morgans." I rambled a little and then smiled, "My sister trained her horse Shadow which is the mix I mentioned." I said thinking of the beautiful black and white mare that had the color of a paint, the looks of an arab, and the height of a thoroughbred. "Your very welcome, I think it will be fun helping train these babies." I said with a smile.

(Cupcake and Rolo are Arabs right? I checked before but I can't remember.)

[Rubyrocks loves Her Pony]

Lucy

I smiled back to Carrie, she seemed nice, kind and very understanding. I hoped I was right. "I hope so, they're arn't mean and cunning horses so they should me ok!" I said smilng patting Cupcake smiling. Cupcake took to Carrie quickly and soon came forward, She sniffed at Carrie's hand and then nickered friendly to Carrie and muzzled her hand. Lucy smiled, "Cupcake definitely likes you!" I said giggling. Cupcake was just so nosey. I smiled as Carrie said a very nice comment. "Thank you! i'm glad they turned out quite well as foals! I'm sure with the right work, i'm hoping they'll be wonderful horses!" I said smiling to Carrie then gazing over at my youngsters.

Lucy smiled happily. It seemed that Carrie had come from a background from training horses then, that was very good. I hoped together that both me and Carrie would do a great job and that i'd learn a little more about training. "So you come from a background of training, I huess that you'll be very good then. thank you so much for helping me with this!" I said said happily.

I nodded in agreement of Carrie saying that it'll be fun, it definitly would be. "Shall me get started then?" I said looking to Carrie and looking over at my youngsters.

[KM loves MUSIC and PEANUT!!!!]

Carrie smiled and nodded listening to Lucy talk, she seemed like a well together girl that was eager to get to work with the horses. Carrie liked that in people to often she had met people who wanted her to train their horse so that they didn't have to do anything with them, instead of wanting to help with them and learn about training. Carrie smiled and looked to Lucy. "Yes it sounds like they should be fine with training then, the younger the better to start on their Fundamentals." She said with a smile, she chuckled to herself and watched the filly, "Well aren't you just a sweet pea." She said in her Oklahoma twang. She smiled and nodded, "Yes they seem to have turned out very well."
She smiled and nodded thinking of her home back on the ranch with the horses, those times had been good but she was happy to be out here where she could teach people. She laughed a little and said. "Yeah I guess you could say that I did, training and competing is kind of a family tradition for us," She smiled watching the young horses.
I smiled and looking back to her, "Yeah sure whenever your ready to start this day off."

[Rubyrocks loves Her Pony]

Lucy smiled listening to Carrie. "I do hope so!" I said smiling patting Cupcake happily. Lucy smiled happily. Cupcake nuzzled at Carrie and nickered softly. Lucy smiled, "I'm glad they turned out well myself. I was so worried about it!" I said looking to Cupcake and Rolo pleased.

Lucy smiled. "That's nice then. Our family tradition is all of the members of our family that ride, that's most of us. We allgo to the massive summer show and all enter different classes!" I said smiling happily.

I looked to Carrie. I picked up Cupcakes Headcollar and placed it over my shoulder. "So are we gonna start with Cupcake and then do Rolo if we have time?" I said smiling. I unbolted Cupcakes stable and then called her. "Cupcake, here girl" As I said that Cupcake stepped forward and stood by my shoulder. I patted her and praised her. "Good girl" I said patting her happily. I Placed the headcollar on Cupcake and patted her. "Good girl!" I said smiling.

I looked to Carrie. I smiled happily. "Ready!" I said smiling.

[KM loves MUSIC and PEANUT!!!!]

Carrie smiled and looked from the filly to Lucy. "Yes well it seems as if you've done a lovely job with them." She said with a smile letting the filly sniff at her hand. "Sorry little girl Rosie stole all the treats." She said with a smile watching the filly. Carrie smiled and stepped back looking over the other foal and thinking that they pretty good confirmation. She smiled and nodded listening to Lucy. "That's cool most of my mothers family competes and my fathers trains. But most of train rather then compete." She said with a smile to herself about how like all of her family were horse people.
She nodded and said. "Yeah however you wanna do it, I have all the time we need." Carrie smiled watching the girl with her horse and smiled pleased with how well the filly responded. "You have done a lovely job with making her sticky." She said with a smile rubbing her hands together and then popping her knuckles, she smiled and nodded, "Okay then where do you wanna start with her then?" Carrie asked with a smile.

[Rubyrocks loves Her Pony]

Lucy smiled.
"Thank you. But the lovely job aswell has to come!" I said smiling happily.
Lucy giggled as Cupcake snorted at Carrie.
Lucy nodded and thought that was very interesting.
"She not impressed with that then!" I said laughing joking around.

I took hold of the lead rope and smiled.
"Ok cool. Thanks. And Thanks for the complitment. I didn't really know what to start with.
"Umm... You choose!" I said smiling to Carrie happily.

Lucy unbolted the stable door and pushed it open gently so it didn't swing wildly around. I led Cupcake and and Cupcake stepped forward gracefully always staying by my shoulder. I smiled and praised her for that.
"Good Girl Cupcake!" I said smiling happily. I had an idea, I'd been working on something really cool with Cupcake and wanted to Show Carrie.
"Carrie. I've been working with Cupcake on something pretty cool. Can I show you once were in the training ring?" I said looking to Carrie smiling friendly.

[KM loves MUSIC and PEANUT!!!!]

Carrie smiled and nodded. "Yes so has the hard work but is also the fun part." She said with a smile.
She laughed when the filly and then at Lucy's comment. "Yes I can see that." She said with a smile and a chuckle. Carrie laughed and nodded. "Don't mention it." She smiled, "Well is the halter thing all they have really learned so far?" She asked, "So that way we have a better idea of where our starting point is." She added.
"She seems very good at sticking with you." She said with a smile of approval of the filly's ability to stick with Lucy. Carrie smiled and nodded. "Of course ya can show me!" SHe said with a bright smile. "Did you want to work in the arena or the round pen?" She asked.

(Sorry it kinda sucks my eyes are starting to hurt from tbeing tired.)

[Rubyrocks loves Her Pony]

Lucy smiled and giggled slightly.
"definitely fun!" I said smiling patting Cupcake happily. Lucy smiled happily and nodded to Carrie.Lucy nodded to Carrie.
"Yep. So do we start with her on the lunge reign or free?" I said looking to Carrie happily.
Lucy smiled. "I sort of trained her to, that's how I got her to do what i'm about to show you. I've been working on it for ages!" I said smiling happily patting Cupcake. I hoped she did it perfect infront of Carrie. It was something special i'd been working hard on and no one had seen me do it.
"Thanks for letting me show you! Umm.. lets work in the round pen!" I said smiling. As we arrived at the round pen I pushed the gate open and led Cupcake in smiling.

[KM loves MUSIC and PEANUT!!!!]

Carrie smiled and nodded. "Yes the younger they are the funner it is to train them."
Carrie smiled a wide cheeky grin and shrugged. "Maybe lunge so that she gets more used to having to bend her body around the person doing it?" She said with a smile.
Carrie smiled wide and popped her knuckled again with a smile. "Great I can't wait to see it!" She said excitedly. "Kay' that works." She said following Lucy and Cupcake to the round pen. She followed her in and closed the gate behind her and said. "So let's get started then." She said with a smile.

[Rubyrocks loves Her Pony]

Lucy nodded in agreement with Carrie.
"Definitely!" I said smiling happily then patted Cupcake. I nodded at what we'd start with.
"Yeah. I think we should do that!" I said smiling.

Lucy nodded.
"Ok but can I show you what I've been doing with Cupcake first" I said smiling and taking the lead rope off. I patted Cupcake and walked forward towards the center and Cupcake followed me. I stopped and stood still in the center.
"Halt" I said comanding Cupcake and she did what I asked, I patted her for praise. I then stepped away from her and smiled.
"Good girl. Stand" I said as I walked to the endge of the ring and picked up a long schooling whip but not a lunging whip.

I approached Cupcake and smiled.
"Ok. I'm ready. This is what I wanted to show you!" I said smiling looking to Carrie.

[KM loves MUSIC and PEANUT!!!!]

Carrie smiled and nodded listening to Lucy. She smiled watching the girl and the filly they seemed to be very good together. "Your very talented with her." She said with a warm smile. Carrie smiled happy and content to be helping someone with their horses she hadn't had a chance to teach in almost a year and that made her sad most of the time cause she was a born teacher. Carrie smiled, "Of course you can show me first!" She said happy to have an eager student, when she had first started out as a trainer it had been so hard to get people to listen to her and it drove her nuts. Carrie lent against the fence and nodded her head. "Go ahead then." She said with a smile.

[Rubyrocks loves Her Pony]

Lucy smiled happily.
"Thank you!" I said pleased that Carrie was happy.

Lucy smiled to Carrie and then focused on Cupcake. I stood opposite Cupcake and smiled.
"Attention!" I said and Cupcake stood up firmly into a square halt. I smiled happily but did not loose my focus. I raised the whip up and held it out above my head.
"And Rise!" I said. Cupcake rose onto her rear legs and stood in a rear perfectly. I circled the whip in the air in a slow motion and Cupcake commanded it and turned a full circle in rear. I smiled.
I brought the whip down my my side again and spoke again.
"And Fall!" And Cupcake came down on my command and stood square. I smiled. I crouched and lay the whip on the floor still holding it.
"Lay Cupcake!" And Cupcake sat on her hind les and then lay down.
"And sit" And she sat up from laying down. I rose and stood tall and straight.
"And Stand" Cupcake commanded and got to her feet swiftley. I then walked up to her and placed the whip on the outside of the front left leg.
"Bring" I said and Cupcake brought her front leg down to almost be bowing and then I moved the whip to the other side and did the same and she commanded and now Cupcake was bowing.
"And Stand" As I said it Cupcake came to her feet. That was the first part done now she was standing the second part. I walked to Cupcake's side and as I looked to Carrie and grinned and had a shine in my eyes ready for part two of the performance.

[KM loves MUSIC and PEANUT!!!!]

Carrie smiled and watched Lucy with Cupcake. She was surprised at how well the filly was trained and smiled before leaning on the fence and waiting to see if Lucy was done or not, but she didn't think she was done yet. Carrie couldn't help admire the girls ability to control her horse so much. "You are very good with her," She said with a smile leaning on the rails waiting for her to finish.

[Rubyrocks loves Her Pony]

Lucy took in Carrie's comment and just nodded in return, I didn't want to be rude but I would lose the conection if I distracted myself.
I stood beside Cupcake and spoke.
"Lets Dance!" I grinned happily. I crossed my leg over the otherone and Cupcake coppied and then I stepped out from the crossing and Cupcake coppied again. She was doing well so far. I then joined my legs together and Cupcake did it too just as she was ment to. I then rose on my toes and raised both hands up above my head streching my hands and Cupcake rose into a rear gracefully and I smiled knowing she was doing it. I then spun round on my toes and Cupcake did exackly what she was ment to do and and went round in a full circle in a rear. I gave a huge grin when she did it and smiled super happily. I then brought my hands down and went flatfooted again and Cupcake obeyed and came down Gracefully to a square halt. I didn't want to keep Carrie waiting to I decided to finish there. One last thing though.
"Cupcake come" I said softly and she walked forward and stopped in a perfect square halt beside me. I was done. I turned super happily to Cupcake and started praising her.
"Good girl Cupcake!" I said still praising. When i'd finished praising Cupcake I turned to Carrie and looked smiling nervousily.
"What did you think?" I asked quietly waiting for the reply a little nervously. Before when i'd shown people they'd said it was so bad to train them for that and that you should never have such high standards with your horse, but i didn't and i just did it for the pleasure and fun and i'd never do it with a horse that found it painfull or was not willing to do it but Cupcake was, and I sort of discovered it my accident.

[KM loves MUSIC and PEANUT!!!!]

Carrie smiled watching the filly and her owner and clapped her hand with a big grin. "You have done a wonderful job with her! She has great response time to you!" She said with a smile looking at the filly with a smile and then back to Lucy. "I think you two will make wonderful partners!" She smiled saying it all honestly, the filly was obeusily a great horse and would be a wonderful horse for the girl. Another thing that Carrie found that she liked very much was the fact that both horse and owner seemed happy and content with it. "You clearly have a good bond with her." She said with smile wondering if she had had Rosie that young if the mare would have different and not so crazy but she was getting better and more gentle.

[Rubyrocks loves Her Pony]

Lucy was really happy, and she was so pleased with Carrie's comment and that she thought it was wonderful!
"Thank you. I've been working really hard training Cupcake to do it. Cupcake was just so willing to do it!" Lucy replied patting Cupcake pleased with her. Lucy listened to Carrie's other comment and was super happy that she thought that!
"Thanks Carrie!" Lucy replied thrilled.

Lucy patted Cupcake happily and gave her a big hug around the neck smiling. Cupcake nickered friendly and nodded her head to me. Lucy held Cupcake gently and then let go smiling. She smiled and laughed as Cupcake nodded. Lucy listened to Carrie as she said that I had a good bond.
"Thanks Carrie. Hopefully we'll make a great team after training and when I start to ride her!" Lucy replied absolutely thrilled and so happy for Cupcake.

She then turned to concerntrate.
"So, we better get on and start. I don't want to keep you waiting!" Lucy said to Carrie smiling.

[KM loves MUSIC and PEANUT!!!!]

Carrie smiled. "Yes it takes a very willing horse to be that good at that! She seems to have a good amount of trust in you." She said with a smile. Carrie watched her with the filly and smiled, they really were a fine pair. Carrie laughed and said. "Don't mention it its true."
Carrie leaned back on the rails of the fence and nodded, "Take your time, I have all the time I need, Rosie isn't up for work right now so I have all the time you need." She said with a smile and then thought about Rosie hopping the mare would foal easily with no problems to her or the foal. She watched Lucy start to concentrate on the filly and then Carrie said. "Did you want to lunge her? It will get her more used to pressure on her head and how to softly go around you at a trot." She said with a smile.

[Rubyrocks loves Her Pony]

Lucy listened intrigued at Carrie's comments.
"She was just so willing I just wanted to try it so badly so I did and she did it for me! And thanks!" I explained absolutely thrilled at Carrie's comment. Carrie knew what she was doing and it was great to get her approval.
I nodded and smiled to Carrie.
"Thanks for doing this is so kind of you. I've asked people and they've said they'll do it but they never do in the end!" I explained to Carrie. I listened intently to Carrie, She was so great and really kind and patient.
"Yeah. Can we? that would be a good idea. Will you help me do it though?" I asked Carrie smiling.
Lucy was really happy with Cupcake's performance. I patted her again and hugged her happily. I walked smiled.
"Stand Cupcake" I said as I walked over to the edge of the ring leaving Cupcake's side and picking up a lunging rope from the hock outside the pen. Cupcake did stand and I smiled and patted her when I got back to her. I clipped on the lunge rope and turned to Carrie smiling.

[KM loves MUSIC and PEANUT!!!!]

Carrie smiled and watched the girl with her horse. "Yes it is always great when you have a horse willing to learn unlike the kind that would rather kill you then learn." She said with a small chuckle that was Rosie but she was a lot better and learning a lot actually. The arab wasn't nearly as crazy anymore but still a little nuts for anyone else who tried to handle her.
She nodded, "Yeah its not a problem I am sort of a born teacher and love helping people with their horses." She said with a smile and then grinned wide when she asked the filly to stand and she did. "Very nice, as willing as she is it should be very easy to teach her to lunge." She said with a smile, before continuing. "I'd like to see how she does with you, she is very responsive so here is what I want you to do. Stand with your shoulders back and head up like your pushing her out of your way, then point what ever way you want her to go, cluck, if she doesn't move circle the lunge whip three times, if she doesn't move lightly tap her neck three times, if she doesn't move increase the pressure and push her away from you, run at her neck if you have to. This will not hurt her or scare her it will just make start thinking, "oh she's my boss!" That's how horses behave and that's the key to training them is understanding how the behave with each other." She said studying the filly, this shouldn't be that hard to train her. And if Natural Horsemanship was used then she would more then likely turn out without a vice.

[Rubyrocks loves Her Pony]

Lucy listened happily to Carrie.
"Yeah. i'm glad Cupcake willing. not the other type you said" I chuckled slightly but was a little scared at the last comment glad that Cupcake was willing.
I listened to Carrie. I wanted to learn as much as possible from her, she was really nice aswell.
"I'm glad i chose you to help me!" I explained happily, Carrie was so nice. Lucy nodded at Carrie's comment.
"I hope she is. I have never seen Cupcake have any problems so she should be ok. The same with Rolo!" I explained.
I listened to Carrie and nodded, I was a bit nervous about doing it on my own though. I listened intently to Carrie. I was a bit nervous.
I really wanted to try it but i wanted to see Carrie do it first.

Lucy did Carrie's instructions and stood with my shoulders back and head up with confidence. I pointed the way I wanted Cupcake to go and clucked with confidence urging her to do it. Cupcake commanded and did as i said and then walked forward on the lunge rope gracefully and gently in her mouth. Cupcake went round happily and gracefully with ease commanding me. I was very happy with Cupcake and then looked to Carrie smiling.
"What do ya think?" I asked smiling.

[KM loves MUSIC and PEANUT!!!!]

Carrie smiled watching the filly going around the girl. "She looks great, everytime you feel like she isn't bending to you or is stiff on the rope give a little jerk this teaches her not to lean on pressure and instead give to it. Now when you want her to stop don't say whoa that is for riding and leading this is for teaching them to disingage those hounchs when you want her to yield her hind end, take the hand you are holding the rope with and shorten it about a foot, and then take the leg of the hand that you have the whip in and step as far as you can and swing the whip with your whole arm in a circle at her rear end, if she doesn't swing her butt and give you both eyes shorten it again and repeat till she yields." She said with a smile.

[Rubyrocks loves Her Pony]

Lucy grinned happily at Carrie's comment. I hoped Cupcake wouldn't find anything hard for her.
"Thanks, i just hope everything goes well with her" I explained happily hoping that Cupcake would turn out to be a great horse. Lucy nodded to Carrie's comment and tried it. I shortened the rope about a foot and carried on with the command. I stepped out with the leg of the hand that had the whip in. I stepped as far as i could and swung the whip with my whole arm in a circle at Cupcake's rear end and she did as I told her to do and she stop in a perfect square halt like i had asked her to do. I was happy with that and a huge grin came onto my face. I was very happy with what Cupcake had done. I had never done this before so i was lucky to have a horse like Cupcake that was so willing to do it for me. I looked over to Carrie smiling happy that Cupcake was doing so well.

[KM loves MUSIC and PEANUT!!!!]

(This is actually the training I use, its Clinton Anderson's method)

Carrie smiled and said. "I think it will she is bending to you and just progressing like dream, she really understand what you want and how to give you. You see you she instantly stops and looks at you? And staying away and doesn't just come right up in your face? That's her way saying, "Yes ma'am!" Not "oh my god I hate you, I want a bite you" or this, "No your not gonna make me do it, I think I'll just stand here." But her she's looking at you and saying, "Yes boss! Can't wait!" That is very very good." She said with a smile, and then added. "I will be right back!" She ran into the barn and grabbed her bag with her extra handy sticks, halters and leads. She flipped it onto her back and went to get Dream, the filly nickered to her and she ran back to the round pens and turned her into the other before going to Lucy. "This is my filly Dream, she has nothing done but halter broke and I will show you what I mean on the more advanced stuff." Carrie said opening Lucy's gate and walking in and said. "How old are you? And what size halter does she where?" Asked with a smile.

(Just let me know if I ever start to confuse you.)

[Rubyrocks loves Her Pony]

(that's so cool. I'm a little confused already but i'm managing)

Lucy grinned to Carrie happily. Cupcake was still standing perfectly in a square halt.
"Thanks, i'm glad it's going well so far. That's really cool" I grinned happily, everything was going so well. Cupcake was listening intently and just happily wants to please.
"I'm so happy that she's listening well and doing as I say, it's just wonderful!" I explained super happy, Carrie was so nice and i was so grateful for her to help me.
Lucy was so happy she grinned and i had a excitable tingly feeling inside me.
I watched Carrie go to the barn and I was slightly confused but I knew she'd come back. I gazed at Carrie's filly dream, she was absolutely beautiful.
"Your Filly is beautiful!" I explained still gazing at Carrie's filly. When Carrie spoke to me I concentrated back to Cupcake smiling to Carrie happily. I nodded, I was prepared to listen and watch. When Carrie asked me how old I was i answered straight away.
"I'm 12, I'm not sure. But the one Cupcake's wearing now says the size somewhere, i think it's caved into the inside of the cheek" I explained to Carrie smiling again happily.

[KM loves MUSIC and PEANUT!!!!]

(Yeah sorry this stuff is hard to write its easy to talk about outloud cause then its not confusing )

Carrie smiled and nodded. "Great, here take this instead of the whip its easier to use and is heaver and when she does the right thing then you can scratch her without having to move." She said handing Lucy the kids version of the handy stick.
She nodded and handed Lucy the other lead. "Here is is 14 feet long and when you use it make sure there is about a foot hanging on the ground next to you."
And then she pulled out a halter that looked about Cupcake's size, "Here this will help her not lean on steady pressure, the four knots make it annoying to lean on, now they won't hurt her a lot of people hear annoying to lean on and are like well that's cruel." She said rolling her eyes, Carrie could not stand people who didn't understand horse training.
She looked to Lucy, "Now you change the halter and lead and when your ready I will show how to do some more lunging, if she tries to kick just make her get out to the end of the lead but start with the one foot hanging on the ground." She said picking up her handy stick and lead and heading over to Dream and then said.
"I want to start from the begining so you won't need the hand stick just sit it aside, till you need it."