Lace's owner Vanessa come over for a bush ride today, and I love this little snippet showing 2 relaxed and respectful girls.
After a non strenuous stroll through the bush swapping positions along the way, (and plenty of gas-bagging between the 2 of us!) once we got back down on the flat Vanessa decided to split off on the fork to see how Lace would handle being away from her new trail mate.
This type of change can sometimes cause disruption and anxiety in some horses, but both girls poked along separately with confidence and ease until they met back up.
With Lace just finishing up her 4th week here after her spell, she's stepped back into work so perfectly and is yet again proving just how incredible she is and what a lovely partnership her and Vanessa have created. 🥰
Beautiful sweet Nox ❤️
After arena rides and groundwork, it was only fair to take him out bush to reward all his efforts. 🥰
Little Willow had her first ride yesterday arvo. 🥰
Although shes taken the saddle amazingly with no fuss and her lunging after only 2 weeks is almost exactly how I want them to finish up, she was still a bit opinionated at times which is typical baby things and will iron out, but her sensitivity was what I really wanted to work on before accepting a rider - to gain responsiveness not reactiveness.
After having fantastic sessions through the day, she was ready for the next step - accepting Scott on board like an absolute pro to finish off successfully. 🙌
I haven't really touched on first ruggings before, but preparation for the rug is just as important as any form of training to me.
As we're heading for a 1 degree night, I thought I'd better get Willow used to the rug as she's never had one on before.
So, like any new piece of equipment, it's introduced slowly and built up for a relaxed acceptance.
This might seem obvious or silly to some, but the last thing I want is to not prepare her properly and have a gust of wind blow it up through the night and her take fright from something she can't evade.
Safe to say she got the hang of it pretty quick and will be toasty tonight! 👌
The day we knew was eventually coming came today, delivering Danny to his new home and saying our sad goodbyes.
He has definitely become a beautiful piece of furniture here and one who could have easily stayed!
He had his final ride yesterday mainly for a goodbye stroll, nothing strenuous before his trip today, and once again proving how enjoyable this sweet boy is.
We wish him and Judy all the best in their future endeavours and I have no doubt he'll quickly leave a big hoofprint on your heart as he has ours. 🥰
After roughly 2 months off, Danny is back in work so he'll be all ready to go for his eagerly awaiting new owner once they touch back down in Australia!
Over the last 3 days he's rolled out of his holiday mode and taken to a workload like a duck to water, and proven again why we love this guy so much!
We've been filming his rides to keep his owner posted, but this one at the end of his arena session today was too cute not to share!
This gorgeous boy has well and truly become part of our family here now, so our goodbyes are going to be super hard - more so for Scott I think! 😜
With the cold mornings threatening the return of winter, these days are still absolutely appreciated!
I planned on a nice easy stroll on Bob today to enjoy the sun, and even though we done just that, he had alot of new adventures and exposures thrown his way, which he took all on board like a true champion!
The dam was our biggest challenge, but with time and patience, rewarding any forward steps he ended up striding in with a big breath out and then there was no stopping him. Such a superstar! 🙌
Magnum headed off yesterday, but before he went on the truck I had to have a quick last ride!
Some light cone patterns followed by relaxed loping around the entire arena just stretching out and enjoying his final ride here.
Mags has had the tendency to get a bit arena sour in the past, so just doing small sessions every few days in amongst bush rides has been a game changer, allowing him to free up more and not get too bored or sour.
I'll admit I've always been one to say I'm not an Arab fan, but working with the few we've had this year has been quite refreshing.
I was always under the impression they were a hot fizzy breed, and I can fully see they could be with the wrong work or in the wrong hands, but working them in a relaxed manner and with a balanced workload ratio, they really are such a bold confident breed and so rewarding to work with, and Mags has been exactly that! 🥰
Pete - 6yo riding pony.
Little Pete is here for a short stay just to bring back into work after a couple or so years off.
We had a quick first ride in the roundyard early in the week after arriving last weekend, and today it was straight out the bush - with him blowing me away with how bold and confident he was!
I shouldn't be surprised as I've had a few of these Dunelm ponies over the years and they've always been so brave and super fun!
What he lacks in height he makes up for in heart! 🥰
This morning me and Magnum tried to beat the heat with a bush ride.
It was my first ride out on him, and although super brave, he did give me a couple things to work on.
One was him being very pully on my hands especially in the trot, at times he was quite the steamtrain.
Something I say alot is a pulling rider creates a pulling horse. Not saying this is the reasoning behind Mag, but if we just hold onto their head the entire ride, they have no release and no reason to not pull back in return.
So I let him have a bit trot up the road to take any sting out, then we worked on softening down and checking in from time to time to get some speed decrease, then rewarded by giving his head.
He also likes to "jig-jog" alot - one of my pet peeves! So with this, any time he started up his jog I'd turn him into a couple circles taking his mind off this with a job, then throwing the reins at him for reward when he walked out of them calmly.
Just in the hour or so we were out, I got so much improvement and he just strolled along by the end realising that's alot easier and enjoyable!
Even got to check the cows and open a gate when we got home 👌
Run your own race, at your own pace, in your own space. 👌
No matter the surroundings, cherish those small tries and improvements, and just enjoy the ride.
I have to admit, a relaxed stroll through these butterflies will always bring a smile to my face and peace to my day. 🥰
This morning we said goodbye to the gorgeous Romeo, but not without a final ride here - but a first of many for his owner! 😊
This boy has been a pleasure to start, even with his funny quirks in the bush like sneakily side-swiping into bushes for a scratch, trying to take the tracks less travelled over the easy route, and inspecting every single poop along the way 🤣 which all just adds to his personality that I never would want to change!
In all seriousness though he can't be faulted and he has given his all every single ride and thoroughly enjoys his outings.
He's an absolute character and a genuine honest dude and I can't wait to see where the future takes him and Emma! 😊
Come along on this mornings ride. 😊
After taking Monty up here a couple days ago, I was so impressed with him and how he tackled this new track, so told his owner I'd try film it next time and would send to her, but figured I'd post here instead as this boy just aims to please every ride!
This used to be my favourite track, but since the June storms a few years ago it had completely been shut off.
Scott tried it a couple months ago and said although super overgrown it's been semi cleared allowing an accessible route.
We may not be able to canter up it yet, but it makes for a nice little adventure and test - which Mont clearly passed with flying colours. ❤️
This boy is so bold and also responsive to my directions, making him so damn enjoyable and shining bright lights on his future!
Bling's first ride outside 🥰
I'll let the video do the talking!
It ended up a long one as per usual, but I'm absolutely stoked with how she went! So damn proud of this girl!
Late arvo ride on Ember after the heat of the day. 🔥
I absolutely adore this young mare, only 3 weeks in after her spell from being started and already stepping up a level, giving me so much try.
So trainable and just oozes talent. ❤️
First ride for Bling. ✨️
Early session to beat the heat of the day!
She had a couple unsure moments when I asked a bit more of her at times, and also as shown was a little hesitant to turn to the off side in the beginning, but with steady asks and quick releasing on the tries we got some beautiful smooth turns towards the end and that's all I can ask for! You can also hear when she understood the assignment by that huge release! Exactly what I aim and hope for! 🥰
Couldn't ask any more of this beautiful chunky lass!
Afternoon cool off dip! 💧
Over the past 4 weeks Alfie has really mellowed and enjoyed his outings, but this arvo he was literally thrown in the deep end!
Even though cautious of new things, once he's allowed the time to process, he trusts the rider and gives everything a crack.
One thing his owner requested was water crossings, which Scott introduced the first couple rides, but since then our little crossings in the bush have dried up so he decided to finish off with a little more water, which I think he actually enjoyed! ☺️
Alfie heads off this weekend for his endurance race next weekend so we wish him and Laura all the best and can't wait to see them in action!!
First ride out for Romeo. 👍
I tried to do some talking at the start but really needed 2 hands for this fella which I thought might be the case!
He had absolutely no hesitation about heading out, as soon as I was on he marched out like an absolute champion, I just needed both hands to keep him on track, (in mind and direction!)
As mentioned previously, he gets a tad distracted at times, and can be a bit heavy on the hands so I wanted to make sure I had both hands handy for clear asks, quick releases and solid connection.
Over the past few days I've been mouthing Romeo and working on softness and giving to pressure like we achieved in the halter in order to have that bit more control on our first bush ride.
Even though I want the bush to be an enjoyable place, I still pieced in a bit of what's been taught in the way of softening in the turns and circles, just to let him know I still want him to be responsive when asked. ☺️
