Monday, Sept 6, 2010

Trailer training. Patriot loads into the trailer without a problem. Kirstin can lead him onto the trailer or drive him onto the trailer. Today, her dad moved the trailer around a little bit just to see what Patriots reaction would be. He was OK, but a little more work needs to be done before we hit the road.

Putting a little bit of weight on Patriot.

Leaning completely over Patriot.

Fun stuff

Introducing Patriot to the big ball. He is not terribly sure, but is willing to let Kirstin play around.

Kirsin's nephew; Daniel, giving Patriot a kiss! Isn't that cute!

Patriot checking Daniel and the big ball out.

More new stuff for Patriot.

Hey what are you doing? But, it didn't seem to bother him one bit. The look on his face was so funny.

Intro to the saddle. Dad is helping Kirstin out with this one. He is just holding on just in case Patriot is against having the saddle on his back.

No big deal with this one either.

Walking around with the saddle on.

Lungeing with the saddle on.

Removing the saddle. None of this was any big deal for Patriot. He just does not care what Kirstin does with him.

Here's the latest update. As you can tell, Patriot is having no trouble learning new stuff. He's picking up the pivoting in the box nicely.

Introducing the saddle pad to Patriot....

Doesn't even faze him....

Kirstin even leaned up against him with the saddle pad and he was as calm as ever.

And then....the dreaded horse eating tarp...

"You want me to do WHAT on this horse eating tarp?"

"So this blue thing....it won't eat me....right?"

Walking all over the tarp...after he realized it doesn't eat horses

"Okay so I've conquered walking over the horse eating tarp... now what am I suppose to do? Wait, wear what?"

Like this?

"NUH-UH!!!! No way!! I thought this blue thing wasn't going to eat me!!!!"

Ok...so maybe if I stand real still it won't eat me....maybe...maybe it'll just go away...

So in order to post pictures(since I used to do this from work-which is now blocked) I have to have my older daughter(who have high speed internet) post the pics and then I go in and post the comments. These 2 pics are from Kirstin's favorite past time-Drill team. She was lead horse/rider in this past weekend's rodeo. Kirstin uses Trigger(not a mustang) for Drill team, but next year she will also be using Kryptonite. He is one of the mustangs we adopted at last year's makeover. Kirstin really loves drill team and Trigger is probably the most dependable horse on the team.

Update on Patriot

Below are some pics of Kirstin and Patriot from the past couple of weeks. Patriot is doing so well. He is a very level headed horse and nothing really seems to faze him. Kirstin has now trailer loaded Patriot. She was very shocked when he followed behind her the very first time she attempted loading him. I simply told her that's what happens when you have solid ground training done and that you have really earned his trust. She has been doing a lot of work above Patriot to get him used to having people eventually above him. She did lean on him just to see what type of reaction she would get. She even put her full weight on him and he didn't seem to care. Obviously, due to his age, he is no where near ready to be ridden, but a little prep work can't hurt. Kirstin is back in school, so training is only once a day now, but Patriot is a quick learner and a hard worker so I don't expect that to affect either of them.

So these are in reverse order, but you get the jest of the pictures. Kirstin standing on the barrel decides she wants to see what would happen if she leaned on him and then decided to hang over his back. No big deal!

Second attempt at trailer loading. Patriot follows Kirstin right on to the trailer. He wasn't too sure about backing out of the trailer. He would get to the very end, put 1 hind hoof on the ground and then go right back on the trailer, so Kirstin turned him around and he walks off the trailer so nicely.

Even paused for a bite of grass.

Backing is coming along quite nicely.

The very first attempt to load Patriot. He walked right on behind Kirstin. He really trust her.

Ponying with Kirstin's horse Trigger.

I can jump higher than you!!! More spooking in place.

Spray down after a workout. Sure feels good to have the cool water splashing on them.

Patriot loves to be sprayed in the mouth.

Checking out the trailer the day before attempting the first loading.

Not too sure about this thing.

Update

Not real sure what is going on, but I can not load any pictures. I will have to go to the library to see if I can get some loaded this weekend. Recap from last week, Patriot didn't get much work. Kirstin's older sister got married Aug 7 so we spent the entire week prior to the wedding getting stuff done like decorating the hall, getting the food ordered, bachelorette party...We weren't home that much so when Kirstin was around she would do a quick reminder training. So when things finally calmed down on Sunday, Kirstin went out to see exactly what Patriot remembered. He is an amazing horse, he remembered everything and did awesome. He is pivoting on both the front and hind quarter beautifully, starting to back softly, leads like a puppy dog, picks up hooves. Patriot managed to escape Monday and was out in the big field with a few of our other horses. Kirstin's brother attempted catching him, but Patriot really doesn't know him, so he would not let Derrick any where near him. Kirstin went out into the field and walked right up to Patriot, slipped his halter on and lead him back to his pen without any problems. So, she decided that it was time to move her training out of the round pen and into the wide open. Patriot did great his first outing, he was a little wide eyed, but listened very well to Kirstin. Kirstin is moving very slowly with Patriot, but I think it is working out better than before. He remembers his lessons, really tries to get the right answer which actually comes very easy for him and loves to be with people.