About a month ago I wrote about a Rainbow Falls ride taken with my gelding "Scooter,"seven dogs, two mares, and a donkey named Burrito. I described it as " a learning experience" for us both. That was an understatement. Scooter was terrified of the donkey and the dogs and looking to hit on the mares because we never get around girls much. A very rough ride for me. He threw his head, reared up, danced around and after an hour I was ready to sell him for glue.

Since than I have spent time with Scooter a little every day working him on the ground, in a round pen, and even asking him to lay down! All this has made him softer and a better listener. When he relaxes a little than I let him rest or I stop our exercise. At that point he understands that mellowing out and trusting me more is the ticket.

So last Tuesday it was back to the dogs, mares, and especially the life-threatening donkey. My plan was to keep my colt out of the way of the activity by following this group at about 50 to 100 feet back. Starting out was rough because Scooter wanted to rush up front and be with the ladies. As he proceeded to throw his head again, hump up his back, and dance I simply made him back up about 5 feet. Then he walked forward, started to act stupid again and with that I asked him to back up again. Wheels are now turning in his head. Scooter sees that if he just walks quietly than he doesn't have to go backwards.

It was still difficult for a while to keep him in the back by himself. As the group in front turned a corner he became nervous because he could not see them. By talking to him gently, relaxing, and rubbing his mane just in front of the withers I calmed him down.

We still had to deal with Burrito "the killer donkey" who would stop to graze on grass ahead of us. So, when Burrito stopped to eat than we would stop to watch. As Burrito moved forward than my colt and I followed, but still behind. No problem. It was more a matter of convincing Scooter that the donkey was not a black bear with long ears.

By staying back as long as we did the dog problem melted away and by the end of 2 hours I had moved up inside of the group that just a few weeks before had almost put me in intensive care. Scooter just needed time to examine the situation and he was very quiet to ride at the end. This lesson goes for young horses that are entering a show or parade for the first time. Just standing around watching from a distance gives our spooky horses time to figure it out. This to me is what makes being a horsewoman so wonderful.

Obviously, Burrito had been a perfect gentleman on every ride and I thank him for being along.