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Monday, August 18, 2008

A GREAT DAY FOR GEM...








Roy Cliff came over today to work with Gem.  He has been going over to Sandy's regularly so she can learn how to handle this young Morgan mare (who was a gift to Sandy after she had to put her horse down).  The first thing Roy does, is turn the horse loose to move freely around the arena.  Before you know it, she is ready to "join up" with him.  When he gets her eye, he turns around and walks away.  Almost everytime, the horse follows.  Gem is worked in a rope halter.  Then, he does a few lounging exercises and practices flexing her neck in both directions.  Today she started out listening to her stable mates whinnies, but ended up getting down to business in a very short time.  Roy put on a light Western saddle and a bridle with a full cheek snaffle bit.  This has been done before, and he has put his weight across her back.

Today, after starting out that way, he felt that he was ready to sit in the saddle (she did not care) and I was able to lead them around the arena.  After 2 or 3 circles, I removed the lead line and they were on their own. She was really ridden for the first time in her young life. Sandy can be very proud of this horse...she was so cooperative.

4 comments:

CoyoteFe said...

Interesting stuff.

Here are my questions:

Why does he catch her eye and walk away; and why does she follow? Is this herding instinct or something else?

What is lounging?

Why is Abbe's being clever a (possible?) impediment to her "coming through"?

nancy said...

me and my grandmother are very proud of how far shes come. thank you for everything lori! i might take her for a trail ride this summer!

nancy said...

me and my grandmother are very proud of how far shes come. thank you for everything lori! i might take her for a trail ride this summer!

nancy said...

me and my grandmother are very proud of her! thank you for everything lori! i might take gem for a trail ride this summer.