BETTER AND BETTER

     An update on the progress of Sam I Am and his driving. He has been at it for a little over a month and is settling in very well. I took him outside the arena for the first time yesterday and he was again the star of the show! It is always a major thing for green driving horses to go outside at my place. I don't have any flat spots except where my arena is, so it is either up or down hill no matter where they go. It is the first time they have to really hold back with the breeching  so it can be kind of iffy sometimes the first time out. Sam handled it very well and didn't seem to be concerned about holding the weight of the cart(and me) coming back down into the arena. He was a little looky the first time around the driveway, but since his paddock is in the middle of the two drives I have, he wasn't worried about his buddy Shilo being in it.He wasn't sure how much effort he wanted to put into going up hill, but soon figured it out with a bit of encouragement and after that first time was not a problem. I will continue to take him out(weather permitting) and then it will be time to take him somewhere else.
     A couple of friend came to bring a mini horse in for training and helped me with Trick and Treat. Anne and Karen volunteered to be "strangers that are nice to horses" people and take Trick and Treat out to groom them and lead them around. We did some sacking out with the bag at the end of the stick and I showed them how the manmering halter works. Trick never pulled, tho he wan't very happy about the bag at first, but Treat tried to get away, but gave it up after he hit the end of the lead rope. Only once and he didn't try again. I have learned that, to be safe, I need to use the halter just in case. If I don't need it, it doesn't do anything. I have a regular halter on under it with a lead that I use unless they take off.. Only then will the mannering halter be put into play. Eventually, it isn't needed at all.
     It was very nice of Anne and Karen to help me out. Like I've said before, my Icys aren't afraid of most things, but strangers are still a bug-a-boo for them.
     I found a video on YouTube that showed Monty Roberts working with an Icelandic horse that did the same things mine did at first. Pulling away and not allowing anyone to catch him. He was kind of amazed how fast the little guy finally caught on by the end. I've found that my guys are very smart and once they understand the new order, are pretty willing to do it. The more they learn and do, the more they are willing to learn and do.

     I've attached a few very short videos of Sam driving at the trot in my arena. Since these were taken, he has become much more confident and is trotting stronger. He is light in the hand and is accepting the bit better all the time. I hope you enjoy watching him. Next thing to do is teach him to load in a trailer(his only trailer ride was coming home with me(I don't count the ride they took to the stock yard).

Enjoy