Herding Stuff

my friend cindy and her dog pike @ Altapete

Scott and Jenny (Altapete) are off on their spring adventures so I am on farm watch again. I think this is the third year. It truly has been life changing. I am very lucky!  The whole herding thing really. Brit, and then Leo. All the things I've learned, all the things I've done, the people I've met. Just awesome. 

Anyway, that was a bit off topic. lol. 

Leo has the most amazing outruns. I often just stand and watch him. It's cool to think that he learned that. I don't know how even. But it's definitely amazing to me.  We are still working on the drive. He is getting it. I had a great lesson with Scott before they left. And have walked the fence line more times than I care to count. ;) I have Leo entered in Novice at the trial coming up- only because of that drive. Otherwise I'd be in Intermediate because he can do the bigger outrun. I am thinking that by the end of the summer the drive will be good enough to move up. So we will get some experience under our belt. He ran just once last year at a field trial- his very first time to the post. He did pretty great, and won his class (and a clock.) I am looking forward to trialing with him this summer. It's going to be fun! 

Brit isn't doing too shabby herself! The arena trials all winter really got her fast and keen, so i was a little worried when we started working on that outrun again. But after a few repetitions she is back to bending out- actually better than last year. Her top end isn't great so we are working on that. She either over flanks, or cuts in...I'd like something in the middle. And I'd really like her to take that stop at the top EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. Not just occasionally. I hate yelling at her. She is getting pretty good at driving, and as long as the sheep are good she will settle in behind them and truck along. I bit the bullet and entered her in Intermediate. A bigger outrun,  a drive away AND a cross drive. She is capable. I am excited to try it! The worst that will happen is she will lose her sheep, or I'll call her off.  As long as she is sound that day it'll be fun! She is having some issues. Issues that are getting worse instead of better. It's frustrating. And I'm not quite ready to talk about it. I tend to get sad and dramatic, and I think she deserves more than that. So I am going to get her looked at again and see if there is a more difinitive plan for her. To compensate for that we do little bits- a few outruns, some driving, and no farm work. So she sits and watches a lot, or will hold sheep. She likes that.  <3

Lots of fun herding stuff planned this summer. Trials, Clinics, Get togethers, and Fun!!!