Here kitty kitty

I didn't have a lot of time yesterday, so instead of riding, I decided to do some desensitization work with Olive in the long skinny turnout on the corner of the property. 

I was hoping for some passing cyclists. Instead, I got a border collie.

Kitty is Leslie's dog. She's a sweet girl, but also a little intense. Usually, she's all about Leslie.

Yesterday, her gaze shifted to Olive.

Olive noticed.

There are a lot of things that Olive is afraid of, but dogs aren't one of them.

She put her head down and marched right up to Kitty.

This is not what Kitty was expecting.

She made a quick retreat to the safety of the fence...

then came back out to tell Olive this was unacceptable.

Olive didn't get the message.

She just kept on coming.

For a moment, I thought this was going to be the end of it.

Nope!

Olive didn't appreciate the boop. She shook her head and turned away.

Again, I thought this was going to be the end of it.

Stalemate.

Then Olive decided she wasn't done with Kitty.

Poor Kitty never saw this coming.

The pony just wouldn't follow her rules.

She kept telling her to go away...

and Olive just wouldn't listen.

Olive probably could have done this all day, but I could see Kitty was getting increasingly anxious and frustrated. After I took this picture, I caught Olive and took her for a walk.

If everything goes according to plan, Olive is going to be my trail horse. I've got a lot of work to do getting her ready for the challenges of our urban trails, but one thing I am not worried about is her reaction to loose dogs and coyotes. She's got that completely under control.