Bolting, Again

 Both burros are really doing well with having their hooves picked out daily, brushing, walking around the farm and seeing new things, and tolerating blankets on their backs.  I can't put the pack saddle on until I receive the cinches.  I thought it came with, but nope.  They should be here in a week or two.  In the meantime, JJ and I started out in the arena with sidepassing, backing, and turning on the hind end.  He is making slow progress.  

Then, since he did so well the other day on the road, I took him for a short walk.  I want to hit the trails with these guys so badly.  JJ did well, but he was nervous because the neighbor across the street was mowing her lawn.  She looked to be done with the upper portion, so we turned that way for our walk.  

Only one neighbor with an old truck drove by and stopped a bit to talk.  JJ was tense but not too worried, until he heard the mower in the woods behind us.  I forgot that she has a trail she mows through there.  JJ suddeenly bolted.  I tried to turn him, but his neck was set and his momentum built too quickly for me to gain control.  I let go.  He ran to our property and stopped outside his paddock fence.  I walked up to him, picked up his lead rope, reassured him, and we headed back up the road.  He balked a bit, but I got him almost to where we were before, and then he bolted again.  The neighbor just started weed whacking.  I fetched him again, and we walked partway up, and then past the gate the other direction, before heading back home.  

I pushed him too hard today.  I thought he was ready, but the mowing noises must have been too much for him.  I have a few rope burns to remind me to slow down a bit and do more basics.  Our neighbor is nice person, and always mows her lawn on Saturday morning.  She has her headphones on and probably didn't even know that we had so much trouble.  We'll stay on the farm for a few more weeks and avoid Saturday morning walks.  

I took Marty out for grooming and a walk around the farm.  He did so well.  He even made tentative friends with one of the goats.  While grooming him, I noticed, with alarm, that he has still not gained weight.  His coat is still rough and he is too bony along his topline, shoulders, and hips.  I also hear a lot of tummy noises whenever I'm close to him.  I asked the vet about deworming, but she was more focused on his heart murmur.  I had some deworming paste, so I gave him a dose for his approximate weight.  I hope it makes a difference.  He was very good for the dewormer because he's so used to his antibiotic in the mornings.