Elle
This beautiful Cleveland bay cross German riding pony is here to be started. Second time in the longreins and being very relaxed out in the arena for the first time. Very smart girl with a wonderful work ethic.
Great morning this morning, with Angela and Tanner having there first trail ride. Angela has been coming out and having lessons on Tanner while he’s been started to saddle so when he goes home they both have the confidence, and have plans in place on what to do. Lilly will also continue on with these two in giving them lessons under saddle. Angela just wants to enjoy her horse, go on trail rides and hopefully join some adult riders clubs where she can meet people to have horse fun with. Violet the thoroughbred mare was the perfect company with her lovely calm nature having her first trail ride as well. My last two horses until the new year. And what two lovely horses to finish the year off with with.
Christmas display
So on the weekend I came out of retirement and stole Aandrik from Tina Larcombe-Day to dress up and give a little Christmas cheer to Serpentine Jarrahdale Adult Riders Club. Was fun to be back in the trick saddle again. And Aandrik definitely remembered what he was meant to do when when did it once before 4years ago 😂 also big thanks Nadine Robertson for coming to help and also get on and bust out a trick, and also some great rodeo ring 😂
Second ride out for this boy.
Koda
Caught a little training session with Marianne and her students yesterday with her lovely Koda she’s training to vaulting. Koda was only started to saddle this year, it’s been a joy to see him come along and be so accepting of these girls practicing. Look forward to more little sneaky videos updating his journey.
Merlin
Me racing my vet Oldbury Equine Clinic
When he came to treat one of my horses. As most people know…. I don’t walk around my property 😂
Salt
Little salt today learnt about walking up to me when I apply pressure to get his attention. When he arrived here he was a worried little man with regards to getting in his bubble and reaching out to touch him. His worry automatically turned into defence and would want to face you. We’ve been working on having him being comfortable standing with you on the side. Approaching him, and him not feeling he had to turn to face you. With teaching him the draw he also needs to learn that my hand up means stop there, wait and I’ll approach you, or ok you can approach me, slowly and with a softness in your eye. We made this session fun by letting him have a play with the ball and in moments he could be a young horse, run play, but be aware of me and your surroundings. A lovely little man who’s getting confident with the tasks at hand, becoming less defensive and more willing. It’s import we set these little ones up with a good foundation to be handled, unfortunately this boy didn’t get that. But he’s starting to see me as a leader and his safe place rather than being a threat. I just love seeing the change in these horses, he’s sure going to make someone very happy
Merlin
Just building on from yesterday. 😬 Merlin is much more comfortable leaving Lilly, and comfortable having a rider and being out on the circle, and paying attention to the whip cues with forward and helping him turn. He turns fine without, but with a younger rider on board and they pull the wrong direction or get unbalanced, at least we have a back up to direct him to help them both out. I like my horses, if they are not sure of what’s happening above, to stop and slow instead of get worried and run and to seek the person on the ground. Merlin passed this with flying colours.
Merlin
Dear little Merlin 🥰Taking everything in his little stride. Being a brave little pony. We are now trying to get him independent from Lilly leading or guiding him. As this is how we started with the longreing, he’s now longreining without having to follow Lilly. Now he needs to find that with a rider on board. Obviously I can only do so much on board, with how small he is. So we make riding short and sweet, and focus on it being fun and a good experience for the little guy. Most importantly we need him to be safe, when his little rider is being led, out on the lunge, or wants a little tonker around off lead. We are just starting to establish steering and breaks. We giggle like kids, cause kids are rarely quiet when it comes to having fun with your pony, and we need Merlin ok with giggling🤭 maybe even little squeals of excitement.
Spice
Very happy with how Spice has ended his week of training. Now we have more forward, softness we were able to start asking for him to stretch while still maintaining that forward, and also pick him up. He is starting to carry himself now, his mouth is more quiet, he’s more focused, and has a much better understanding of things asked of him making him more straighter, and his circles much better. Francine has been involved in his training and has also been having rides during this whole process of his under saddle journey. Pretty sure Francine had a sit and walk on his 3rd ever ride 🩷 not only is Spice learning, but Francine is also learning what it’s like in training the horse under saddle and is gaining the understanding of the process involved with riding the very young green horse. Spice is learning to understand, be compliant and forgiving, it’s still very early days in his saddle journey, but we want to make sure it’s a wonderful, fun and safe one.
Had an absolutely wonderful morning this morning 🩷 first ride for an owner and her horse. This brings Lilly and I so much joy seeing this. Francine riding Spice and gaining that confidence with now being up on board, and finishing off with this little bundle of fun.
Cleo
When the farrier gets on his knees to trim your pony.
