This morning I had some time, and I had a choice. I could (with the time I had available) get a horse out for a ride or I could do some agility. I decided to do the latter because this way I could interact with all the animals who reside here at Squalor Holler.

I first worked with Sastrugi and Swamp Thing. The last time, the two goats were in competition for treats so this time I first tied Swampy to the fence rail. I then worked with Sassy, first having her get on the table, then walk the dog walk and go over a few jump poles laid on the ground. She did fine although like Swampy, she’s more interested in getting the treat in hand than she is in doing what’s asked.

Alys with Ryder and Shadow

I kept the session with the goats really short, then brought the dogs down to the arena. I had planned on tying up either Shadow or Ryder but decided to instead do double dog agility, meaning that I worked with them both simultaneously.

If I was a serious competitor, this would have been a bad idea. But given that I was just out there to have a good time, and as well, to give the dogs a good time, I instead opted to see what would happen.

I had one, then the other, wait on a pallet while I had the other one go over a jump, traverse the dog walk, then go over two more jumps. Of course, neither dog waited the entire time. I suppose that I could have chained one or the other up and worked on wait – and I still might do this. However, I wanted to keep the dogs enthused, which is what I did.

The agility session winded down with both dogs electing to play with one another. I was fine with this. This, actually, is what they do most days anyways at mid-morning.

I was surprised to see Ryder so upbeat and energetic. This indicates to me that I need to keep doing agility with her.

Lastly, I got Hrimmi out. Hrimmi is the thinker. This time was no exception. She knocked down the jump post when I asked her to go over it – so I put the poles on the ground and she walked over most of them without stepping on them. She also put her feet, one at a time, flat on the stump. Previously, she just pawed at it.

Hrimmi not only thinks things through on the course, but after she’s done with it. Winter is setting in, or else I’d work with her on painting. I still might work with her on line driving.

What I like about agility is that it lends itself to self-connectivity. I figure out new things to do, or how to do old things differently, after the fact.

We’re supposed to get freezing rain tonight – ugh. If it’s raining tomorrow morning, I won’t do agility.

Winter takes up too much seasonal space.

Next: 302. 11/14/23: The Very Best Pony in the Entire World