Thursday's Training

Another good day for "G" Man..........was the first time in 5 saddles that he stood still... This is one of the things that his owners would like him to do..me too...........and he did.........does not take long for a horse to figure this out if you are consistent and fair.... I do not want to tie my horses up to saddle him.. if things happen and he feels the need to get away I want him to be able to do that rather then him get me in a pickle...I have had trainers tell me that if you can't saddle your horse without tying him up you are not much of a horseman............I wouldn't go that far.. I think there are times when you may have no choice........you don't want to get stranded in the wilderness cause your horse walked off and left you while you went to get your saddle pad...............but even if I do tie my horse I don't really tie him... I will just loop the lead rope around ..........whatever it is that I'm tying to so he thinks he is tied.....most important is do whatever it take to be safe....when a horse learn to stand to be saddled he will stand for a lot of other things as well.......trimming...........shoeing.........fly spray....etc..........I think it is an important skill and encourage you to give it a try..... rode him again today and he continues to make great progress........will have his owner ride him next time she is out...

Was a busy day at the barn... had lots of folks stop by.......Marge.......one of my students and a great client.......came by to ride one of my horses for me.......did a great job... she just got back from Chile where she rode horses on the beach........love it..........

Mark a neighbor stopped by with one of his horses and we worked on a few things with him........Mark is a great example of a guy who learned old school ways of working with horses but once he had a chance to see what we do and give it at try.........he wonders where all this stuff was when he was working with horses for a living... Mark and his horses are making great progress with the things he is learning from us...and he is a good neighbor..........

Today I have to go to the dentist.........which I HATE........but need to get it done..........and I for sure know how my horses feel when they have to get their teeth floated............just shoot me...........