Day Three Larry Painter Herding Clinic…

Tuesday dawned cold , wet, and grey. At 5:00 Am it was clear to me all my rain gear would come in handy. Little did I know!

I had oiled my waterproof boots again the night before, laid out my rain gear and warm clothes. Had extra gloves and a new (supposedly waterproof) long rain coat with hood.

It was raining so hard my eyes needed wipers! But down the hill with the sheep and Drover I headed at 7:00AM. The wind was blowing too. I knew long as I stayed busy and moving I would be fine. But I thought of everyone that had to wait their turn…BURR! I knew they would be cold, we had a tent to get under but no side protection.

By 9:00 AM the branch that runs by the arena was level with its banks. Which meant that the arena was flooding and it looked like a small stream was flowing all through that area of my field. The water was ankle deep at least.

I shoveled out trenches so the water could keep flowing and not stand in the arena and round pens. (all day) … It worked too because by late afternoon the rain let up and it was just damp and cold wet and uncomfortable but the water was draining and we could stand up in the mud but it was not near as bad as it would have been.

The sand I had put down helped , I just needed 50 loads  more!

No one complained and we went to work as usual. (true sheep herders!) …Some worked in Larry’s Pen and others the round pen.

Drover and I practiced driving on a long line in the driving lane and arena.

We learned to watch the front sheep and work the outside eye. Larry said Drover would hook on might take a while and when he did We would be able to drive. Eventually without the long line.

There is a bit of technique to the practice on the handlers part. You start out with the long line dragging and the dog up close to your left knee and tell your dog away or come bye as needed and there! Watch it!  By the 3 run using this technique Drover and I were starting to team up and I was getting the hang of it. Now we just need to practice. I start tomorrow!

Each day to make up the day we lost we added 6 runs to the 24! So yes everyday we went into overtime!

No one minded! We were all here to learn all we could…  and we enjoyed the process as evidenced by all the cheerful participation in the rain!

Lunch was hot and good and so was dinner! We fell into a warm bed thankful the rain was done and we went to sleep with dreams of a sunny day on Wednesday!

Bye the way! That New raincoat of mine ! Useless in the rain! I got soaked to the bone! All day my dryer ran drying everyone’s outer wear! EXCEPT Larry’s! Seems he had  fisherman’s gear! Guess what ! He was dry and warm and comfortable! Oh yes! That is what I need for the farm!

(This photo of Scout in the small round pen shows the mud still round in the higher areas of the arena on the following day!)  I have no photos of the rain! Imagine that! Smile!