--- On Thu, 7/17/08, Karen Thomas <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> but it's the rider's responsibility to be sure that it happens as > infrequently as possible. I think it helps for us to think of our time together as "play", not work. Well said Karen. I always say, 'I am going to go out and play with my stallion' So I go get Randver, halter him, sratch him, led him out of his paddock, walk him around, especially if mares are around, as I want him to know that he is to walk with me whether mares are around or not, mares are just a part of life. And then we might go out on the trail, I pony him from the mule, or we might play in the round pen where I like him to impress me with his stallion abilities.....in the short time that I have had him, he foloows me with his eyes, comes up to me when I am out in the yard. I do not usually treat him, and he is not really a horse that is impressed with treats anyway. But from his actions I can tell he enjoys our time together, he looks forward to it. It will be fun to start him because I am already 'working' on our relationship.....however I do not see it as work, only building a relationship with him and getting to know who he is. So far I really like what I see. So next year i will begin to do exercises in the round pen where he will give to pressure where I would have my legs or heels....then move onto ground driving when he is 4....then by the time we are ready to saddle him, he should know what we are asking from the saddle because I have already taught him from the ground in a NO STRESS way.....my goal is for both of us to always have fun. I am in no rush. It is more important that the process goes easy and well and we both connect to each other and have fun. Its not important how fast we do it..... Skye tropicaltreks.com Your Icelandic Riding Hawaiian dream vacation
