Here they are world--my goals for my horses (and me!)

1. Keep up my work with Smoke.
He's really starting to come around, but he needs at least 2-3 days of work a week. He's so much better about his leads, stopping, backing (we still back a little cock eyed sometimes, it's a work in progress!) flexing-all the things he needs to know to be a nice barrel prospect. He's trotted the pattern a few times, more walking than anything else. I'm a firm believer that a solid foundation for a barrel horse comes from walking and trotting the pattern, because they can learn to run on their own. I've never had a horse that didn't understand the running as hard as they could aspect! Once they realize they CAN run, and that they're not going to be pulled up, it's just a matter of time before they really start trying. I can feel it in Smoke even now. I'm excited!
WOO HOO! SUMMER FINALLY GOT HERE!
2. Ride Woodrow as much as possible to get "with" him.
Woodrow is my new barrel horse. He's got some issues, but he's a gentleman when he's under saddle. I haven't really ridden a *real* barrel horse since 2004, before I gave my horse back to my dad, after which he promptly sold him, LOL. I have to fight the urge to drag him to every nickel and dime jackpot around...it's so hard to tell myself no!
*THIS JUST IN*
I went outside about 30 minutes ago....to turn Woodrow out with the other geldings.
Looks like about 15 minutes or so before I came out, he hung a leg in the fence, and of course, it's sliced like an apple at a day care center. Well, I'm TRYING to look on the bright side...at least I won't have to fight with myself to NOT take him to afore mentioned jackpots now!