Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Vegas wears a saddle! Woo hoo!

I LOVE DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME!!! I got to work with Vegas last night and again tonite. In a t-shirt! Woo hoo!

I had not worked with Vegas for 3 1/2 weeks, and I really was not too happy about that, but sometimes that is just the way it is. I will just try to do the best I can with the amount of time I have. My goal was to have both of them ready for the only adoption that is going to be in our State. Goals are good...the adoption is the end of next week and I am not giving up yet! :-)

When I took the saddle in the pen tonite, Vegas freaked! He squatted down low and started shaking. I threw the thing on the ground and started walking around the pen to try to distract him. I felt horrible that he was so afraid of it! I put the halter on him and we walked around the pen back and forth, and worked our way closer to it. Finally I could pick it up without him getting so scared, and he followed me around while I carried it. That is my trainer tip for the day - don't chase them with scary things...let them think they are the ones doing the chasing! ;-)

I got it up on him, and after a little bit of "I don't know about this" I took it off. We did that several times, then walked some more. I also put my bitless bridle on him to get him used to the feel of that.

Isn't he cute?



I took him for a walk outside of the round pen, and we walked thru the wooden box and over the big dirt pile.

Karen: See? The box is not so scary...



Vegas: AH HA! I can do this!



Vegas: Look at me flex!



Vegas: I don't like lifting my foot, but I guess I will...this time. And maybe next time too. (The backs are still a no-no)



After a nice work out, it is time to head back to the other pen.



Wyoming: I will sniff you over this dude's back...but that is all...for now.



Vegas is still very reactive, but I can see a big difference in him. Last night I had the bareback pad fastened to him, and I was jumping up and down beside him. He was not too keen on it at first, then it was not a big deal. He is really coming around...I am proud of him for being so brave.

Off to bed....Karen and Tripp (who is probably snoozing already)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

WAY TO GO VEGAS!!!!! And Karen too! I like having them chase things too...I think I learned that from Clinton many moons ago..it sure does seem to make it easier...So how's Wyoming???? I still am hoping they BOTH come to the adoption!!!!