Saddle up and get ready for adulthood, Siren!

Just the other day, Siren experienced something new! She was saddled for the very first time! I brought up my old Wintec saddle, which is very light, for her first saddling experience. I decided that while working on this, I would keep her outside on just a lead line. This way, if she became uncomfortable, she would not be confined in a barn where, if she were to become wound up, she could hurt herself. I began by allowing her to get used to the saddle pad, which, I waved in the air and over dramatized the lifting and throwing of it up above her back, and laying it on her back. I also drug it over her back and got her used to it being all over. It was then time to place the saddle on. I prepared her by lifting it up onto the air as if I were going to set it on her, a few times. I was fairly surprised at how calmly and well-behaved she stood during the process. Including, while I tightened the girth, which came next. I had prepared Siren for weeks for this by wrapping my arms around her, imitating the girth. At first, she thought that I was weird for doing this, but, she got used to it and stood quietly. I put the cinch on slowly, and tightened it over a short period of time. I did not want to tighten it right away, that would not make for a happy Siren! She was so precious! She stood just like she has been doing this her whole life. I then walked her around with it on to get accustomed to the feel of it. Then I took her in the round pen to lunge her with it on. I expected her to go a little crazy with it on. On the contrary, she was very well-behaved and calm about the entire situation! I am so proud of my maturing little girl!