Sunday, August 9, 2009

Copper works his way up to the Wintec Saddle...and misc...

This is one of my mixed colored sunflowers...so pretty!



After hopping on Tiger bareback and halterless that evening, Brian has spent more time with Tiger. I sure wish we had another one just like Tiger around here...he is a sweetheart!
We rode around the small pasture where Wy is isolated. We just did not get too close to eachother. Wy was so happy to have someone half way close.



When I was putting Wy away, I saw Brian taking care of Tiger in the yard...



Hens are still broody, and we have another chick...it has been added to the batch of smaller ones.



I have been behind on Copper's training...so I had to take some time to introduce him to things he will be seeing a lot. One being the saddle blanket...lots of snorts but he finally accepted it...






And pool noodles...because you know there are all kinds of pool noodles out in the woods! :-)





And the rope around the rump...



Then a day later it was time to bring the Wintec out....but Batman had to test it to make sure it was not going to hurt Copper.



Okay, it is safe...so Copper wears the Wintec...



Monty Roberts has built himself a dummy to attach to his training saddle, so an old pair of work pants that wore out has been in the barn, and I have been filling the legs with baling twine. So now I have Dummy Legs. The Dummy Legs ride on the Wintec...

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And Dummy Legs takes on the position of riding double...



Now let's add some noodles...



There is a lot of snorting, but he comes around pretty quick if I take the scary thing and walk away, and HE makes the decision to come up and check it out. Sometimes we start from the beginning, but I don't feel like it is the beginning because it doesn't take long to remind him it is okay.

He is still very touchy about his legs. I can't get below the knee yet, but that is okay...we will get there. I do wish he had a fresh trim on his hooves before we picked him up.
Our leading is still not great either, but he tries. Success starts with a 'try', so I am not worried. He had just started eating grain too. I had to get a sweet feed for him, and soon I will start mixing the pellets with it. I tried this morning but he was on to me. :-)

It is 6:30 at night and still in the 90's and humid. Ugh! I still need to get my butt out there and do something constructive....

Until later...Karen and Tripp who just got a fresh trim...

1 comment:

Kate Wood said...

HI Karen,
Well lots of things sound just like Black Elk, my Robert's Mtn horse. The snorting. A HUGE stallion snort about lots of thing. Very impressive sounding. and the poor leading. I worked with a clicker with him. At first it was very slow, but once he got the hang of the clicker he came along much more quickly than my other mustangs. Leading was most sucessfull with my looking at his hind feet. I'd look and he'd move. Now he will follow me anywhere..He is the most bonded and the most willing for me to be the leader now, but it was slow and careful from the beginning. He has gone from what seemed like a pretty intoverted horse to a very quiet trusting horse.
So that's my story!
I love hearing yours!
Kate on Orcas