The latest....

So...the other day Diesel was sunbathing laying down in the paddock. I went over for a smooch and he didnt move atall so I walked all around him, giving him pats and lots of attention....and then I wondered what he would do if I sat on him........

so I did......

and he did nothing........

apart from turn around and look at me as if to ask me what the heck I was doing!!!!

I still had my feet on the same side on the grass and my bum was sitting on his back so wasnt sitting astride him, but it was enough for me for one day.. I WAS ABSOLUTELY THRILLED, It was a very surreal moment and I hope that he will be that accepting when I finally back him :o)

Luff my pony!

Quick update time....

Diesel has not done any more work since the last blog entry as the ground has been just too darn hard......it has rained heaps today though so hopefully will be able to get stuck in before winter really hits!!!

I got Diesel out last week for a really decent brush....boy it was so nice spending some proper time with him. He thoroughly enjoyed being pampered. When he was in the stall I got the pony pad out just to see how he would be with it. Put it on his back, went to do up the girth and IT DIDNT REACH (and the straps are really long lol)....chubby bugger!!!

Then decided to see how he would be with the saddle...well, he couldnt have given a rats ass!!!! Let him have a sniff and then put it on and apart from having a good look at it he was as happy as larry....

In the next 6 weeks my goal is:

To get Diesels teeth done
Get him mouthed
Get him lunging in a saddle and responding

I know its not much but I just dont seem to have much time at the moment so instead of overstressing about it I am going to set realistic goals.......

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)