First Field Trip

I couldn't be more pleased with what I learned about Buster on our fist trip to the mountains.  His name should be Busta Move.  He's fast!  When you get into the brush though, he's a perfect gentleman and slows down to negotiate terrain, getting far enough behind when you ask, crossing water, ditches, logs, etc.

Here he is with my niece while I got my stuff together.  Huckleberry was screaming his fool head off because he had to be on a leash while there was another dog at the trailhead.  So unfair.  But he can be a real jerk at times, so he's not allowed to socialize.

Liam led Bella, who hasn't been anywhere since she went to the dentist about a year ago.  She was a bit stompy in the trailer, but otherwise very good.  I adore that horse.  She would walk through fire and put her feet exactly where you ask.

Buster is so cute.

He did well with the dogs running all around. (Winston has to stay on a leash, he's not smart enough to stick with us.)  You can tell he's not used to dogs but it wasn't an issue.

This was our second creek crossing, and it was a little harder because he was distracted by Bella's distance from us, and there was a big squishy drop down before the water.

He decided to ask the photographer if there was another way to go.

Since letting him just follow me didn't work, I had to bring him back to the easy spot and show him this was where he needed to come down.  He was still looking at Bella, not his feet.  But with some time to think, he figured it out.

No problem!

Later in the evening I was wondering if any of my headstalls would fit him.  I tried my sister's special headstall that she gave me.  The length works, but the browband is too small.  I can't remember what I did with the headstall I used to use for Pedro.  I have one more place to look before I give up.

 He did not like the bit.  He was a broken unit.  He couldn't move.  A lot like a cat with clothes on, except he didn't topple over.  I can't wait to get his teeth fixed up tomorrow.  His canines are sharp.  Everything is sharp.  I think his owner didn't know how important dentistry is, and last time he had his teeth done he didn't like how many times they poked him to find the vein for the sedation. He was pretty soft-hearted about his donkey.

They're grooming each other!  I scratched on Buster, which made him Scratch on Juniper, and she tentatively scratched on Buster, and when I removed myself from the scene they kept it up.  Yay!

The donkeys have joined Halla and Sawyer for morning turnout, and there is no drama.  Happy family.  I love it.  I might add Bella to their herd so she can get some exercise on the hill.  Scout is such a pill he'll have to stay separate.  I won't have him picking on old Sawyer.

Tomorrow is dentistry day for Buster and Scout, then Tuesday we have farrier day for everyone except naughty Juniper (I still trim her).  Then we will have all the adventures!  I wonder if I can pony Buster on the trail with Sawyer.  He might be way too fast!  It's good for me to hike with him though.