The CHARM Farm Community .... Helping those who can't help themselves!

The kids decided my day for me yesterday. They came running in to let me know their soccer ball had gone into the big girls' pasture. The kids know that although Sally, Amanda & Lara are very gentle, they know that if they get spooked they are big and can hurt someone without meaning too.

So off I went to do daily chores. I saw the ball out there. And it gave me an idea.... The dog plays soccer so why can't the girls?!?!

I marched right up to the ball and kicked it, making sure to know where I was and where the girls would run if spooked... Well, they didn't run at me - They chased the ball! Sally was in the lead but Lara was getting curious.

We played like this for a while, til I noticed that Amanda had taken off on her own. I slowly kicked the ball to her and noticed she would move off every time the ball got to her front end. So I slowly footed the ball with me as I walked up and petted her. Soon enough I was able to stand right by her head, ball at my feet, petting her.

Then I kicked the ball again. The other girls wanted to play. This time they all followed it. We were having fun.

Then the hunters & geese started causing a scene, so it was time to get back to chores.

Today I tried again. Sally is now at the point that if I rest the ball on her front hoof, she will "kick" the ball by walking forward to me... I was even smart enough to stand offside incase she let a good one go!