Day Seven - One More Clinic, Then You Can Go Home Luna!

Saturday was the last day of Luna's Boot Camp. Luna learned how to back out of a trailer, nicely, without stepping on Susan and how to be caught in a herd without running. Now, Susan might have to chase Luna around a bit at home to remind Luna that she WILL be caught but with a little caffeine, anything can be accomplished! (Susan, get that coffee brewing!)

Our friend and mentor trainer, Mary Sutherland, was holding a colt starting clinic in Suprise, Arizona. Savannah wanted to take Luna to the clinic before Luna went home. Here is Luna all dolled up, with glitter and mane clips on her way to the clinic.......

At the clinic, Savannah and Luna worked on backing up.

Nice job, Luna!

More backing up....

Not sure what Savannah is doing here, maybe backing again.

Savannah was working on desensitizing Luna's back legs and Luna thought it meant to pick up her feet!! Ha ha!

Luna trotting in a circle (she is sooooo pretty!)

Savannah was working on disengaging Luna but I thought "Spot" playing dead was so funny!!

Our friend, K was helping Savannah move Luna: (And Spot was just kidding around! He's fine!)

Luna getting a little frisky with Savannah: (Mary is the pretty blonde with the tan jacket)

K showing Savannah another way to move Luna. This time they were working on moving Luna's shoulders:

Is Luna stepping on my whip???

Another circle:

Walking over a bridge:

Good job, Luna!

Luna getting a break and some love:

Backing over poles:

Backing Luna's back feet and waiting

Now backing the rest of the way:

After a fun day at the clinic, we took Luna home. The first thing she did was check the feeder for a bite. Then it was off to say hi to Destiny.

Susan headed over to catch Luna and guess what??? Luna stood still like a good girl!!!

Susan led Luna a few steps and took her halter back off. The Susan tried it again and Luna didn't budge! Good job Luna!

I think Luna was glad to be home!!!!

Destiny checking to make sure Luna is okay:

One more good roll....

And she's up!

Jacob waiting in the back of our truck. He wanted to come home with us but Susan said no! I'll have to swing by for Jacob when Susan's at work and Randy's home........

Thank you Susan for giving Savannah the opportunity to work with Luna!!! They both had fun together and Luna learned a lot! I'm not sure Luna enjoyed her spa day, but if Savannah can get her hands on Luna again, she'll LEARN to like it!!!

Day Six - Catching Luna in the Herd

We're back!!!! We were under water on Day Five so Luna got the day off. She was in her stall all day and was ready to play today! Savannah and I checked the turnout to make sure there was good footing and thank goodness Savannah and my husband put sand down last year!!! We let all of the horses, Luna included, out to stretch their legs around 10 a.m.

Savannah and Luna reviewed trailer loading and unloading. Luna's an old pro at it now so Savannah went to work on catching Luna.

Savannah headed out after lunch when the sun peaked out from the clouds. Luna got a little frisky when Savannah tried to lunge (walking of course) her through the wash filled with water. Luna took one look at the water and took off. (The wash is right behind the blue feed bucket and in front of the dying tree.) Luna didn't go very far. She wanted to hang out near Hollywood.

Here is Savannah walking over to get Luna:

Savannah pointed to Hollywood to leave and Luna thought about leaving too. Then Savannah changed her mind!

Savannah caught Luna and went back to work.

Savannah walked Luna around the turnout and.....

Right back to the wash. Luna in front of the wash:

Luna in the wash:

Luna standing in the wash thinking it over. Cowgirl wanted to see what all of the fuss was about!

After a few circles in and out of the wash, Savannah flexed Luna at bit:

Then sent her off to catch her with the other horses around.

As soon as Luna realized Savannah was heading towards her, she turned around and faced her. Cowgirl follows Savannah everywhere and I think she needed a little scratching!

Savannah walked out of the turnout.

Cowgirl and Luna trotted around, playing and Savannah came back. Ginger decided she needed a good scratch, too!!

Savannah walked towards Luna and Luna faced her:

And walked right past Luna! Luna stood in the same spot.

Savannah walked past Luna again and Luna didn't budge!

Savannah walked past Luna AGAIN and Luna didn't budge! Notice the other horses are walking around.

Savannah walked past Luna again and Luna just stood there. Summer walked up to Luna for a little nuzzling.

Finally, Savannah walked up to Luna and haltered her.......

And then went for a little walk around the turnout.

Savannah has one more day with Luna, Saturday, and then Luna is heading home to show Susan what a good girl she is!!

Check back tomorrow for Luna's last day. Savannah will be working on more catching in the turn out. And I promise the pictures will be better and not include the fences and pool! Ugh! I can now say my many talents include taking pictures, cooking dinner and e-mailing while wrestling muddy flip flops at the door all at the same time!!

Day Four - Luna Wants To Be Caught???

Savannah worked on catching Luna again today. Luna saw Savannah coming and took off. Savannah is on the far right in the picture. You can barely see her....

She only ran across half of the yard and.....

Turned around towards Savannah

Savannah walked towards her and stopped.

Then she walked all the way up to Luna.

Good girl, Luna!!

Savannah haltered Luna and lead her a few steps..........

Then she took the halter off and left the turnout.

Luna watched Savannah leave and then investigated the feed bucket.

She was walking towards the fence to say "hi" to the neighbor's horse when.......

Savannah walked back into the turnout and towards Luna. Guess what Luna did???? She turned and faced Savannah, of course!!!!

Here comes Savannah again......

Good girl, Luna!!!

Savannah disengaging Luna without a halter:

She moved Luna half a circle on the right side.....

And then on the left side......

Good job, Luna!!!

Disengaging without the whip:

Savannah sent Luna off to "catch" her without using a whip and halter.

Savannah asked Luna to turn and face her and Luna said "Yes Ma'am!!!"

Luna turned, stopped and looked at Savannah!! She was in the middle of the turnout away from the fence! Way to go Savannah!!!

Savannah sent Luna off again. Luna trotted a small circle around Savannah and when Savannah asked Luna to turn and face her, Luna said "Yes Ma'am!!" again.

Savannah and Luna stayed still for a few minutes while Luna thought about what she had learned. Then Luna licked her lips and Savannah called it a day.

Luna is such a sweet girl and catches on very fast!!!!

Savannah wasn't able to ride today because the ground it too wet from yesterday's storm. It's supposed to rain like the dickens tonight and tomorrow. Let's hope the sun comes out so Savannah and Luna can continue their training!