I am Back

So, quite a good deal has happend since I last added to this blog. Braveheart and I have continued to bond, finding time to hang out in the pasture, in the barn and in the arena. I have been spending more time clarifying groundwork, in my mind and in his. I have tried to keep my energy down unless I want him to trot or move out at which point I increase my energy, and he responds in kind. Since I last blogged, I have introduced Braveheart to the blanket. Of course, as with anything new, we had to take it slow. He came through this like a champ. With the blanket on his back we went through the ground work, again, and introduced the lead line around his cinch area. He never flinched!

My trainer once said that we would get there quicker if we took it slower. Of course, that sounds counter-intuitive. How can you get there faster is you move more slowly? But, and here's a cool thing, someone reported to me that a colt that foaled at the same time as Braveheart had recently begun training. This 6 year old gelding had very similar experiences as had Braveheart; little imprinting, minimal handling and left to his own devices. His new owner had simply rushed through groundwork, saddled up and hopped on. It was later reported that the owner had received medical advice to stay off the horse for awhile or risk serious, and potentially permanent, injury. Braveheart, attitude aside, has moved forward more completely and safely.

So I'll fast forward to about a month ago. I was working Braveheart in the arena and the trainer was working a young stallion. I got the blanket and Braveheart took it all in stride. The trainer commented that my horse was ready for a saddle. I almost exploded with excitement. OK, just inside because if Braveeart had of sensed that, he'd have freaked! Anyway, the trainer took Braveheart, worked him a little, and swung a saddle onto his back. We were ready for a rodeo with lots of kicking, jumping and running around. What we got was totally unexpected. As the cinch was tightened, Braveheart simply turned his head to the saddle, gave it a sniff and took a deep and calming breath. No freak-out, no rodeo, no problem. I took him back, continued groundwork and some work with stirrups and fenders, and eventually unsaddled him.

Then, once he was returned to the pasture, I DANCED THE HAPPY DANCE! All the time spent, the tears, the sweat, the cursing and the praise had finally got me to this place. So, the next day, I returned, saddled the big Curly gelding myself, and did more ground work. He took it all in stride.

Then, my wife and I headed to Baltimore to visit our daughter, son-in-law and grandson for Christmas. More soon, when we put a rider in the saddle.