This article should be titled Bonnie Blue Cuts Loose.  For the past month Robin has been walking Bonnie across a neighbor's field and across the road to take  to our pasture (hay field) which is has about 30 acres of mainly Byhalia grass with some winter Rye starting.  After she figured out that there was  fresh Rye grass to nibble  and several rolls of hay upon which she could rub and scratch herself, she became  anxious to get there. Time out for some training on her parlor tricks.  When she would try to trot or kick we would stop and turn her around.  Well that's not fun.  Eventually she became better at walking with the humans. After all seems you couldn't get where you wanted to go without their corporation.  Last week we decided to take her to the pasture and allow her to see me close the gate which is the only real barrier to her running off, then unhook the lead.

At that time Robin unhook the lead.  Bonnie hesitated for a moment like she was saying,"Really?" and then took off in a gallop, shaking that head and kicking up her hind legs.  She ran for about 50 yard, stopped, turned and looked at us and then took off running again with her tail out straight behind her and the mane flying in the wind. She then stopped and started to eat grass. We were so happy with the first stage of our experience, but now we knew we would have to catch her at some point.  She grazed for about an hour moving farther and farther  away from the gate. Robin and I would take turns approaching her while she was eating  and giving her a rub. When we were ready to go Robin just went up to her and hooked up the lead   she walked her back to stall as thought she had been doing this forever. No drama for the Drama Queen .

Last Sunday our church had it's annual Seder Thanksgiving Service.  We use the Jewish style of Seder but adopt it to our Unitarian Universalist principles.  We have a ceremony where we recognized that Native American were displaced by us and then the many peoples who have struggled for freedom. Our church have also partnered with New Medina, a Muslin community near us. They came and took part in the service. Anyway, it's a big deal with lots of food and lots of clean up. Robin stayed behind to help clean up the kitchen and I went home. I'm sitting in a chair by the window and see this car drive by and go around by the stalls.  I got up to investigate and discovered it was a friend from the church, Mary Brooks and three of her friends.  When Mary Brooks saw me she said, "Robin told us we could come see the horse".  I replied, "I'll go gets some carrots." When Bonnie Blue, aka Drama Queen, saw that she had admirers she put on a show.  She walked out of her stall and allowed them to admire her and rub her soft winter coat share a few horse kisses. After the carrots were gone they said their goodbyes and went on their merry way. Bonnie Blue is so sweet and loving even with strangers.

I started this blog because my daughter, Santha, and dear friend, Carolyn Haines made me, but I am humbled by you who read it and take the journey with us.  I must confess I never thought that Bonnie Blue would survive let alone thrive. It has only been about four months since she came to live with us and she has gained over 160 pounds and is healthy in body and spirit.  If you look at her first picture and her picture now it is nothing short of a miracle. We have been so blessed by her presents here with us. She is a joy and delight every day.

Bonnie Blue seems to have figured out that she has a permanent home here with us. That being the case, she has advanced her training of us humans to the next level beyond the basic "get my feed on time" to "bonding".  We start the day with visiting, grooming and a discussion of the plan of the day. The plan often includes working on the lead, walking and grazing. By working together often we all get to know each other better and gain experience and confidence. Both horse and human seem to enjoy this bonding time.

It is turning cold here in Mississippi in the morning but warms up during the day.  Bonnie Blue is donning her winter coat and looking rather shaggy chic if I say so myself.

Vernell, the trainer, came this last Wednesday and worked with her right leg  training her muscles to  correctly walk.  She has improved greatly in her gait and hardly ever paddles when she walks now.  The exercise we work with her is a maze that teaches her to shift her weight when she has to make tight corners.  The gives her more body control.  We also threw down planks at random making her step through the open spaces. This helps her learn where to place her feet around  and through obstacles.

Robin says that she is 20 pounds to sassy.  She now shakes her head and runs to the paddock for the sheer pleasure of the run.  Sometimes she is running so fast that she misses the gate and has to come to a skidding stop.

I went to Virginia last week and was gone a week.  When I got home I walked out to the paddock and called her. She saw me and came up to give and get kisses.

Bonnie Blue has been in our family for less than four months and we can't believe what she has done for us. Robin calls her a big ole love muffin.

The Fall has been mild here in south Mississippi and the summer grass has remained green through early November.  Bonnie Blue continues to enjoy the fresh grass in the pasture.