Gorgeous Charlie is here for starting under saddle. An older boy at 7, we're inching closer towards his first ride, and learning to step over to the mounting block is a vital piece of the puzzle he needs to know. Charlie's owner wants to take him trail riding, so eventually he'll be able to step over to his rider no matter where they're standing!
Your first rides on any horse, not just youngsters, don't have to be wild and crazy. If you take your time, build up their confidence, and make everything clear and easy, the first ride, whilst maybe a bit confusing for them, should be as uneventful as you can imagine.
It's the tiniest of wins that are the most incredible, and let me tell you, today was a day with Oryan. No we didn't nail a flying change. Nor did he Spanish walk, half pass...oh no, today...after 2 years...he wee'd! With me on him! Just quietly kicking the most important goals over here!
Let your stallions be HORSES. Let them get dirty. Let them have friends. Let them be HORSES! In this day and age of private paddocks and fancy show sets and keeping horses 'under control', it's imperative to remember, we can only train a horse when they know how to be a horse. And let me let you in on the secret of having a stallion. A good stallion - a well raised, well socialised, well disciplined stallion, doesn't want to be bossy or in charge. Give him his paddock full of friends and let them teaching him about pressure and release...let them train him for you so he already understands body language. Let him be able to run around so he doesn't have to deal with the urge to run as well as the urge to find a mare.
Most colts won't make a good stallion, but if they've got any hope at all, let them be HORSES first.
Bailey is a rising 4 part Welsh colt. Making the most of the mud of today, because he is a typical 3 year old boy who loves to run and play and get dirty. Brownie was gelded at around 7 after spending the first 7 years as a wild brumby stallion. There's another gelding in with them. Socialised horses make happy horses, and socialised stallions make your life with them a hell of a lot easier...and they enjoy life a lot more!
For those of you who have been following along from the start, here's Oryan.
Just, please, for the love of your horse, take the time it takes. Stop worrying what you think people will think, or say. Stop worrying about where you think you should be or how long it's taking to do something. Just concentrate on where your horse is. Today. Right now...and before you know, it, two years have gone by...
Today was such a bad day with Oryan. He was heavy in my hand, incredibly tense going to the right, and just felt blah. One of the worst rides we've ever had...
And then just like that, I suddenly had THE best day with Oryan! He hadn't been ridden in three weeks! It took me 15 minutes to get on! We trotted on day one! It was one of the best worst rides you could ask for!
My dreams of galloping this boy down the beach and long rides through the forest are getting closer and closer!
Now if this rain could just GO AWAY!
Some memories are so painfully bitter-sweet. I've never shared this little video, though I made it a few years ago.
My soul brother, who I miss so excruciatingly. If you met him, you know why he can't be spoken about. I literally lost a piece of my soul when this boy said goodbye, and even typing this, I'm tearing up, but for some reason sharing him tonight felt the right thing to do.
Miss you my brother x
Well, I said there'd be more Oryan updates...never in several lifetimes would I have imagined our first ride away from home would be at the beach. I absolutely felt like the 9 year old girl who got her first ever horse. Just love this horse. Just love him. For anyone wondering why they're still peristing with their own horse. I promise, it's worth it. Just keep going. Good days, bad days, no days, you WILL get there!
A big boy needs a big flag! The beautiful Lurch, standing a mere 18 hands! This gentle soul came in with minimal handling, and it's been a slow process, but man, was it worth it. This boy is engaging more and more every day, and we're getting closer and closer to getting under saddle.cant wait to get on!
