Tequila's daily antics

My daughter is away visiting her grandparents for a week or so, and I can only keep my damn house so clean with the dogs...and the guy constantly in and out. Add farm boots, the indoor/outdoor kitty cat, and...well, I give up! My bathroom is clean and I can only change grubby little chicken cages so often. So, I've decided to spend some extra time with my big 4 legged kids this week. 

Tequila has been my main mare for over 10 years. I bought her August 26th, 2016. I remember that date like the back of my hand. That mare became my best friend, and the one who kept me in line. She kept me too busy and fearing for my life for dating, and too broke to afford drugs.

Tequila has been slowing down over the last couple of years, and now we putter around once or twice a week and go for a trail ride every so often. Lately, her main job has been toting my daughter around because Mojito has been a continental dickweed for about a year now (I'll elaborate more later...maybe).

I got Tequila tacked up the other day (dressed her; for non horse people), squared up to the mounting block...and then I got on; as I have for 10 fuckin years! No biggie, right?! Nope! Tequila turned a sharp 90 degree angle, reached for my boot and shot me a look and a warning buck. I thought "ok! She's sore somewhere."

I untacked her and mounted again, this time...she was serious. She grabbed the bit between her teeth, barred down and threatened to buck again. "Well, fuck this!" I thought, so I dismounted as quickly as a chubby mommy can. I left her to "heal" over the next few days.

This evening, I figured I'd see how she was. I lunged Gemma and Mojito, then caught Tequila and tacked her up. She was relaxed, yawning and put her head down for her bit. "Perfect!" I thought, "she seems fine for riding!" 

I got her up to the mounting block, threw my leg over, and she immediately did a sharp u-turn back to the mounting block, ears pinned and teeth barred. I decided I would just SEE what would happen if I asked her forward. Well, she perked right up, popped her ears up and broke into a beautiful trot. Now here's the thing; my expectation has always been for my horses to stand quietly while being mounted and until I pick up my reins, ask for movement and ask with my seat. My horses ALL know that is the rule. However, my daughter is 6 and her legs are tiny; and Tequila can be a witch *rhymes with b....* at times, and she takes advantage of that.

This bitch bamboozled me for THREE days and brief tears thinking her riding days may be coming to a close. She wasn't hurt, she was used to my daughter letting her turn back to the mounting block as soon as she got on. 

Anyways; apparently 10 years of training and consistency mean jackshit after a tiny cowgirl riding your horse two times! Thanks Tequila, thanks! You deserve an acting award!