Tough weekend, lost the little lady of Greenwood, Babe, Nick was doing some trimming

Valerie Ashley come visit Uncle Duke

Saturday all afternoon

Visit with my brother

funny day, got a text from my brother asking if I would be at the barn that day. I said yes but I was slowly getting things done at home and I wanted to make sure I did my Duke stuff before they came. I said how about 1pm. They came right on time with their grand daughter Molly. She was an active little girl that seemed terribly spoilt. But Dennis was happy so everything was nice. Karen, Melinda and her husband came too.  It was nice, little did they know that a an hour or so before Duke was stuck under the fence again in the outside paddock because it was hot and strange that day with a chance of thunder storms.

Poor Duke, rolled under the fence - Then relaxing day in the paddock

Kystyn took this picture before the guys came up to help free Duke from being pinned under fence.

Bonnie and Krystyn texted me at like 10am, Duke had rolled under the fence and they needed help to get him. Luckily Nick and 2 other guys were able to come to help get him back rolled and up again. Scary for Duke. When I got there at 12 or so he was limping around the paddock.

I talked to Bonnie and Krystyn for a while and then helped on the other side with a few stall. Then spent time cleaning the saddle, tlaking to Krystyn and Bonnie and snacking on salad.
I got out my western roper saddle and cleaned it up iwth saddle soap and then used some oil on it. Did it out on the front of the barn door.

Then cleaned my boy and gave him an apple.
I went out in the paddock with Duke. Put a small tie around Dukes halter and then one of the posts in the back of the paddock. The mud was soooo deep until you get to the very back of the paddock near the fence.  There it was standable. I brought the curry comb and some spray for his tail. I brushed all of the mud out of his coat.  Brushed out his tail and conditioned it.
SUNDAY. Busy all day, went to dinner at BBW in Westford, then headed over to get groceries then of to see about Duke.  Although it was raining most of the mornng, Duke and the guys got out in the sun.  I was happy to hear.

I took Duke into the arena and grabbed the small whip to use for the round pen work. Well Duke did great, I was able to check out his back leg, Although I thought he was gooing to be stiff, limping and not happy to lunge.  He was not limping running around and turning wasnt in the cards today but he did a nice job in the open arena.  Hes just amazing <3

3rd Lunging lesson for Duke and me

Left work ran home for coffee and then meeting Krystyn for our lesson. I was running late. texted her that I was on the way.  Im happy to be continueing our lessons with Duke.  Krystyn seems to really enjoy working with him.  Breaking News, Duke loves the work we are doing. Im so very proud of him. 
When I got there Patti and June had just gotten back from a ride.  Big smiles, Patti rode Townes they said. June was just beaming.  Krystyn was waiting patiently.  She asked me if I wanted to work inside or outside. I thought which one was better for Duke or me?  Well I think the footting in the arena was much better than the footing in the large paddock.  The mud from the rain and the horses have made a mess with the ground. 
Krystyn was good, she was happy to work on our training with Duke.   We started out into the arena and Krystyn had the whip.  Duke was ready as soon as I took his lead line off.  I stood behind Krystyn as she worked with him and they rounded each of the turns in the arena.  She was careful to explain things to me. After a while we gave Duke a break.  We worked at the end of the exercises of moving back and forth in circles around me and her.  She would turn her back and he would sometimes come to her and I.  She then gave him a loving pat on the side of his neck. 
I didnt groom him we just went right into the arena work.
We worked him out for like about 20 min and then we took another rest. 
I need to keep myself behind his shoulders, keep the whip behind his butt and face my body and point to the area that I want him to more.  He reads the posture position and the eye contact very well.  I need to back up swiftly to keep him from undermining the plan.
Krystyn said that if he turns away to go around then hes disrespecting me.  Doing it his way instead of what I am asking of him.  I especially enjoy how he is coming out of his shell running the entire arena and listening to the cues for his direction.  Im so proud.
Today I had more confidance in working with him with the whip.
We talked more about working out his problems so I can get back on the trails. I forgot to share that he shakes his head alot when we are going out on the trails. He refuses to go into certian areas and that I felt less confidant that i had for years.  This friend of mine became less of a trustworthy friend and more of a jerky boy.  Well we are going to work on all of these issues so hes himself again and riding on the Greenwood trails iwht me as I always dreamed. Im patient but Krystyn thinks hes taking advantage of my gentle and care nature.

Free Lunging, Open Pen outside Thursday

https://www.wikihow.com/Round-Pen-a-Horse