WORK DAY!!!!!

Well, today was the day that I finally made Diesel do some work.

Dragged him out of the paddock, gave him a good brush, picked out feet and then put a lunge line on him and took him into the paddock.

To start with we were doing approx 40 metre circles on the lunge line (I made sure I walked a big circle in the middle so that it extended the size of his circle). He was reasonably good, had no idea what I was asking of him but we managed.

Then Chevy started being a doofus in the next paddock and Diesel decided that he didnt want to do any more so started snorting, and trying to stop etc.

In the end, and as I wasnt ready for him to finish, I took the lunge line off him and let him go around the outer edge of the paddock. I used my voice alot and in the end he was listening reasonably well (As well as I expected for his first time of doing any real work).

We only worked for about 15 minutes (which I thought was enough as the ground is really hard and I dont want to break him before we even start) but even so he actually sweated......

For our first day actually working I was rather pleased.....I am going to try again in 2 days time and see how we go but for today - it was enjoyable and I think he enjoyed it too :o)

Voicing my doubts.....

You know, sometimes I wonder if I have bitten off more than I can chew having a young horse. Sometimes ideas and reality are so different that it is frightening!

I absolutely ADORE Diesel, he has been such a wonderful animal to bring on and watch as he has grown up. I feel that I have done a relatively good job with him in is younger years and that I shouldnt complain....

I have not done much with him atall over the last 6 months as I just thought... he is growing and I dont want to do too much with his growing bones, its not hurting him as he has been great to handle so far etc etc etc

So, what has got me thinking a few negative thoughts of my ability???

I had Chelsea come out today to do Diesels feet.....and he was just appauling (and embarrasing). Spooking, pulling, yanking his feet out of Chelseas hands, walking over me and just being a total arse. It was like having a different horse, one that looked like Diesel but acted like a pig! I must say though I am really sick with the flu and have no strength atall at the moment but I am not making any excuses up for him.....he was a shit!

I didnt feel unsafe or anything with him but it got me wondering if I am cut out for bringing on a young horse atall (I guess its kind of like the blind leading the blind lol). I sometimes feel that he would be better off being with an owner that has done this before and will do it right the first time. I know that if I do something wrong we can work through it but I DONT WANT to stuff HIM up for his future.

I dont know, I hope that one day down the track I can look at this post and realise that I had nothing to worry about as it all worked out perfect for me and him, but at the moment I am just doubting myself!

I love him to bits and the idea of ever selling him is very upsetting, but I am realistic and know that if this time next year I feel the same I may have to look into that reality a bit closer :o(

Nothing new......

So, nothing has been happening atall....
My farrier stood me up when I needed him the most.....
Came out 4 days after he was due and offered no apology atall....
Will not be using farrier again....
Ground as hard as heck....
Diesel still in the Jenny Craig paddock but lookin' good.....

With the hard ground and the state of his foot there is no way in hell that he is going to start doing any sort of work in the next 6 weeks so once again he is just chilling out...

Oh well.......never mind!

Stupid Hard ground and silly pony!!!!

Diesel had his first full day by himself on Sunday as Chevy was at the Silverdale Funday.

From what I have been told (I was at the show watching Chevy so was not here to witness Diesel's shinanigans) he called out all bloody day....and on top of that when I checked him when we got home he has ripped a massive chunk of hoof off the outside edge of his front right foot!!!

NOT WHAT IS NEEDED WITH THIS HARD, DRY GROUND AT THE MOMENT.

My farrier has been sick (so I found out after calling him all week and him not returning my calls) so he is coming out tomorrow evening to try and make Diesel more comfortable as he is really quite sore on it......stupid Pony - if he had just behaved himself in the first place he would be okay!!!!

DIESEL TURNS 3 YEARS OLD!!!!

Oh my God, I cant believe he is 3 already. The time since I got him at 7 months old has just flown by. I have watched a small, black, fluffy foal change to a beautiful solid, tall, well grown and proud 3 year old.

As it is Diesels birthday today I got him out of the paddock (first time in some time) and gave him a makeover. The long, ratty looking mane has gone and in its place a nice, tidy and short mane fitting for a young man.

The tail that was nearly on the ground has been brushed, de-knotted and had a very decent cut.

The lovely black coat is shining and he actually looks like a 'proper horse' now.

Once the kids go back to school the work will begin with Diesel. My plan is to start free-lunging him, get him moving around and listening and show him the beginning of his working life. Once all this is well established I will look into getting him mouthed (I dont know how to do this so will get someone in to help me)and then long-reining and eventually be backed.

I have never yet had a day I regretted buying Diesel. He is a wonderful boy and I feel that I have done a relatively good job in bringing up my first foal :o)

He's back lol......

Well, some little changes happening again. Things with Autumn did not work out, I didnt really have the time coming up to Xmas to work her enough and would not have had any time to ride over the school holidays so I took her back on the weekend. Soooooo, Leah has let me bring Chevy back here again to keep Diesel company. Leah currently has her leg in cast (old injury that is not healing as it should be) so she cant ride him anyway...it was the perfect solution.

As both Diesel and Chevy are both VERY PORTLY I have put them in a paddock and am strip grazing them....we have so much grass thats its just not funny and I feel that if they were let loose in all the paddocks they would both simply explode!!!!!

Neither of them are too chuffed with me locking them up but it is for their own good....they have both lost heaps of weight already and are looking so much healthier...sometimes you just have to be cruel to be kind.

Here are some pics taken about 3 weeks ago of Diesel looking pregnant......(fat bugger!!!)

Lonely.....I am so lonely......

Well, Chevy left yesterday to go and live at his owners property and Diesel has not stopped winnying!!!! I had a feeling that it would last a few hours but he is still goin 24 hours later. I am so glad that I picked up Autumn on Sunday to keep him company as I think without her he would be a train wreck.

Every time he sees me come outside he gallops up to the fence, if he sees me in the kitchen he calls out and gallops over....poor little bugger!! Leah saw him today and felt VERY guilty but I think the seperation is well overdue and although it breaks my heart to hear him like this I know it wont last forever.

Here is a pic or two of Diesel and Chevy taken last week....god, they are gorgeous!