I took the opportunity while the sun was shining bright, the ground was fairly dry to remove a section of fenced off area so Cookie wouldn't eat the Canna lilies or the Hibiscus. With help, I removed those & put them in pots to be transfered to the front yard so we could enjoy them better. Once I pulled my poles & make shift rope fence, I back filled any low spots & holes with compost material & stomped through it to make sure there weren't any deep holes left to break a leg in. 

Then it was time to play a while. I do my best to break up the boredom of just lunging workouts & trade them out for a play day. Usually the play time doesn't last as long as a workout, but Cookie is able to express herself better when she's freely running around. I myself had to be a bit cautious because I had taken another fall a few days prior. I so hope & pray that is not becoming my norm... to fall every couple of months! Thank the Good Lord I didn't break my leg! I was helping a friend construct a stall under a pole barn. I dug all the post holes & before I could set one I went toe into the hole closest to the trailer. Funny thing, I stepped in it with my left foot & by the time I hit the ground had twisted around & landed on my right buttock. I finally got my foot out of the hole & just laid on the ground for about 5 minutes. Lots of bruises, but as I said thankfully no broken bones. 

Anyways, so I began running around & clapping my gloves on my legs. That's our signal that it's play time. At first she seemed reluctant, but it didn't take long for her to rip out across the paddock. We usually play follow the leader & I'm the follower, but this time I took off running as best as I could in another direction. When I turned & came back, she started off in another direction. She tossed her head & I sort of tossed mine a bit. She would buck & fart... I would just run & pretend to fart with my mouth. lol  When she would throw her up leg in the air, I threw up my hand in the air. 

We have such a great time running around back there. When she's done, she'll blow & snort a bit, & do this extended trot with her tail raised. I have learned if I push her past this point, somehow she becomes afraid & looks at me like Who are you?? So, this time I just stopped & caught my breath. I refilled her water can & we just stood there a while letting our breathing come back to normal. 

What a great day we had! Enjoying the sunny day & just hanging out together for a little while. I can't wait for more good days so we can go out & play some more. 

I think Cookie is learning that playing is ok, it's fun & it's what she's suppose to do sometimes. I think when some horses get trained, they forget how to be a horse & that is so important for them. It's important for their mental & emotional status & it just does them good once in a while. She still tries to boss me around... & that's ok. I'm still going to show her who is always boss. She doesn't test me as often as she use to, but I know she will still test me. That's just her nature.