By Patty Wilber
After two days of standing over near Penny and not moving much following the Great Bareback Pad Debacle, Nugget regained his composure. He started moving around his big pen, investigating things again. He even reached his nose out to both Jessica and Jim once or twice. He didn’t let them actually make prolonged contact, but he expressed interest. He LOOKED, but didn’t fall apart when I led him to his pen, and we saw a buck just a few yards away!
The buck right behind Nugget’s pen.
We spent the week working on trailer loading so he could go home without a big to-do. This went weirdly well. He both followed me and allowed himself to be sent into both of my trailers with very little hesitation. I kept myself pretty quiet and took my time, but he was very willing. Considering he had to be herded into the trailer to get here, and his overall level of skepticism, I was really pleased.
Nugget in the trailer: “i am not loving this, just saying, and no way am i backing out, but i can stand here with you, no problem.” Good boy Nugget!
When I caught him so he could go home, his chauffeur offered to pet him. He tried to bolt. Ah! There’s the overreaction I know and do not love, but when I brought him back to me, we walked to the trailer with only a few momentary pauses, and he loaded up directly. Good boy. Safe travels, Nugget!
Back to normal
After eight days with the Appaloosa Nationals, followed immediately by a fantastic six-day visit from my parents, sister, brother-in-law, one of my nieces, and my brother, and then another show (!! Yikes!), this week was back to normal!
I do like my regular life! One of my clients told me that I (and Jim, too) might be the happiest people she knows. That was a very nice compliment!
Normal this week included a return to the Vista Grande Community Center gym (free for 62 and over), some weed whacking, a little tractor work, and horse stuff.
