AND AROUND AND AROUND THEY GO

Feb 7

            Sam is settling in well to the routine of work. He has become very attentive and affectionate when I water and he many times stays close to me when I am out in the arena when they are loose. He still bucked a little with the rope around his rump, but I was able to stop him and he went on with his work. He is a fun guy and I’m encouraged by his progress.

            I put the surcingle on Shiloh today. He wasn’t impressed. His solution to the feel of it was to run. He didn’t buck, but he was trying to get away as fast as he could. I didn’t have it on very tight, but it stayed put, so he didn’t loose it during his antics. Eventually he settled down and did walk and trot normally. He is a goosey bugger, though. I may have to start sacking him out every time I work with him until he gets over it. He was better with his back feet, though. I still had to use the rope, but he held the back ones up so I could clean them. Big step for him.

            I think Bleu will be my next student. He has pulled away from me a couple of times and he is being very standoffish. He is the only one who has not had a session with the mannering halter. As time goes on he is developing a bad attitude while all the others are getting better by the day. Time to give him a reality check and get him started with some direction.

Feb 9

            I’m so proud of Sam. I put the harness saddle with crupper and breaching attached on him  today and he only bucked twice and I was able to stop him from doing that. He is very cute in a harness. The crupper didn’t seem to bother him at all. It is the kind that doesn’t have buckles, so I had to put his tail through it. He clamped it at first, but in a few minutes he didn’t seem to mind. You never know how explosive a horse will be when you first put a crupper on them. They get over it pretty quickly, but it can be exciting sometimes. He was fine. For almost the rest of his training he will be in this part of the harness with the rest added as he gets used to it. I must be patient, but it looks like things are starting to come together with Sam’s training. I will have to introduce him to a bridle (open) soon.