Lovin' it!!

Well, unfortunately it was a relatively quiet week for Linus and I. It was so busy off the farm that we were unable to log a whole lot of time. But, I didn't feel too bad about that because Linus had a pretty big weekend prior to this slow week...and he is still a baby!!

Friday, Saturday and Sunday allowed for more time together. And wowee did we get to make some great progress!! Friday, Linus had another brief but happy lesson in cross-ties. I tied him in a different place this time too just to avoid having too much routine. I groomed him and briefly picked up his feet. Then we did some figure 8's to work on us moving together and him not crowding my space. It was a happy session.

Saturday was busy! I worked at the Post Office, had a bull of mine delivered to his new home and drove my husband to the airport for a business trip to Turkey. By the time this was all done I didn't have much daylight left to play with Linus. I did go visit him though, gave him an apple and did some move to pressure work in his outdoor pen.

Sunday. Busy again. Took a heifer for her last road trip (nicest way to say it..unfortunate when you're a beef cow!) when we got back we did up the chores then I finally had some time to really work with Linus. Owen was in the house playing with his big cousin so I had all the time I wanted and took full advantage of the opportunity.

First I let Linus out with the cows for a little bit to let him "get out the jitters". This worked but the cows didn't really want him around the young calves so I took him to another field to have some exercise. He is so gorgeous in action! Then I cross-tied him in the barn again, groomed him and ...wait for it... picked up and cleaned out Each of his feet!! What a big thing for him to be taking so well to be cross tied and having his feet handled. It's the first time I have actually cleaned his feet out too. There wasn't really anything in them but it is the action that counts!! Once I gave him a hug and a treat for being such a good boy I put his surcingle on him and out we went with Essa the Newfie and Tess the greyhound coming along. I don't know if Linus was feeling obliged to be good since I was already so impressed with him but he responded so well to my commands and we improved on our turning too. We took a different direction to last time and went even further. Linus really liked the new scenery and I love that he doesn't race for home as soon as he turns around. I actually had to take his halter and turn him up the driveway. We were both tuckered out when we got back and it made think what a novelty it is going to be when I am actually in a buggy or cart behind him rather than walking behind him!! We met some traffic and that was handled really well. Especially since one was partivularly scary being that it was a diesel pickup with a snowplow on the front. I was very proud of Sir Linus today and loved getting to spend so much time out with him. He might get a heifer calf companion soon since the bul companion he was meant to get is now gone to another herd.

Finally, some pictures from today!! They're the best I could do while still holding my lines.