Tarp Training

Tuff gets to chase the tarp for a little while which makes him realize that the tarp isn't going to eat him

Next add a little movement.

Then across the back.

Then spread it out.

And finally, a horse completely covered by a tarp. And he didn't mind any part of this exercise.
Amazing, isn't he!

Spoiled TAZ!

TAZ has to be the most spoiled horse in the world. Steve has planted vegetables all over our place, anywhere there is a water source, there is a plant of kind or other. Here he is checking a squash plant which is in TAZ's pen and TAZ follows him around like a puppy dog.

And, TAZ gets to sample some of the squash.

Nobody will ever be able to say that this horse isn't loved or spoiled!!!

Tuff's 1st trip!

Tuff did great! The trailer ride there and back home was uneventfull. He even loaded in the dark without any problems. Now I am much more confident about taking him places, so we will be on the road quite often.

Here Tuff is in a pen at the arena watching all of the horses and flags go by. Kirstin didnt get to work with him there, but he did great while he was there.

Tuff's first trip

Here I sit at the computer keyboard while Kirstin & her dad take Tuff for his first outing since bringing him home. Tuff went to Kirstin's drill team practice. He is trailered with Trigger-Mr. Reliable. I am a nervous wreck. Last week Kirstin & I tried to trailer him and he freaked a little bit in the trailer which made me freak and cancel our outing, but tonight the plan was for Kirstin & her dad to drive the truck & trailer and I was going to follow behind them in my car to make sure Tuff was doing OK. Yes, I'm overprotective like that. I am normally the one who takes Kirstin to drill team practice, but tonight her dad is and he thought that instead of me following that I should just take the evening off and relax. Not happening! at least not until they come home which won't be until 11:00p.m.ish I called them every so often to check on how everything is going and Tuff is behaving nicely. Last I heard they made it to the arena and Tuff was in one of the pens there. There was no problems on the trip up there and now I have to wait for the trip home-my stomach is tied up in knots. I sent my camera with Kirstin so that maybe her dad might take some pictures, but he's not as camera happy as I am so I don't expect much. Will post any pics that he takes when I get them.

Tuff's wild side

Tuff was a wild bronc last night. I can honestly say that I have never witnessed such antics from him before. I could overhear Kirstin say to him, "ok, you want to run and act crazy, you will run" He wanted to stop after a few circles at a full lope, but Kirstin kept him going until she was ready for him to stop and he was behaving like he should. She asks for the stop and then for him to change directions....

and Tuff decided that it was soooo much easier if he didnt act like a toddler and throw a fit. A lot less work when he behaves.

Kirstin trying to pony Tuff. Trigger doesn't like Tuff to much. He's a little jealous of him, Kirstin spends more time with Tuff than him. He kept turning his hip into Tuff and Tuff didn't help because he kept trying to chew on Trigger's saddle pad which made Trigger think he was trying to bite him. The two finally figured that they should behave because Kirstin wasn't giving up that easily.

Another form of yielding to pressure.

Trotting over obstacles. Tuff is getting really good at trotting at a lead. He's a little slow to start, but once he gets going, he doesn't stop until Kirstin stops.

Backing through obstacles. Backing is still slow, but progressively moving right along. He used to not turn when backing but now he will.

Still working on the bow. He is still really rough on the bow, but slow and steady progress.

Tuff gives his first ride.

Kirstin's nephew Daniel loves horses. He is only 14 months old. When he sees a horse, he will point at it and say Kiki. Kiki is what he calls his Aunt Kirstin. Daniel is our little cowboy in the making. He weights about 25lbs so he is the weight of a small saddle. Tuff didn't mind carrying him around and Daniel loved being able to ride Tuff.

Kirstin was lungeing Tuff and decided to see what he would do if she stood still. This looks really neat and Tuff did OK. He slowed down a little but he continued a slow trot all the way around her. Our entire family was there so there were about 11 people watching her train. That's the most people ever to be around Tuff and he did great. Loved all of the extra attention he was getting.