First time Long-reining.....

Wooo hoo, its a week of firsts for old Diesel!!!!

Today I decided to get him out and see what he would be like with reins attached to his bit. Put his bridle on and let him sort himself out and then attached the reins. Within 5 minutes he was gently turning to the slight pressure so that was all good!

Then, my dear friend Helena, came back from her lesson on Chevy and we decided to try him at long-reining. Just down from the house is the end of the cul-de-sac and its nice and round with great tarmac seal so was the perfect place to try this new thing out with the boy.

Helena was at the back end holding onto the long-reins and I had a rope attached to his halter and was just 'accompanying' him just to give him an idea of what we were asking him to do.

Well, after 5 minutes I unclipped the rope and backed off and just watched Helena working Diesel. Wow, it was amazing! He was very willing to learn and was really listening to Helena and took to it like a duck to water :o) Within 15 minutes he was turning when asked, halting when asked and being a very obliging youngster.

I watched with awe, for the first time I was truly seeing my wee man doing some work and could visualise what he is going to turn out like once he is fully backed and broken in. It was just amazing. He really is a super looking young man and today I was very proud of both Diesel, and myself, as we have come such a long way from me trying to handle a 7 month old baby.

Helena has such a wonderful way with Diesel and is going to long-rein him a couple more times before I to try it myself (weather permitting).

I am getting very excited about the prospect of finally riding him this summer...he is gorgeous!

Diesel in the round pen....

Today was a pearler of a day weather wise so I got Diesel out of the paddock for a good brush.

The round pen I have had in the paddock for about 6 months is kinda still standing (its only made of posts in the ground with electric tape around it as that is all I have) so I decided to take my boy down there and see what he thought of it.

Put his bridle on (only consists of a bridle with a bit - no nose band or anything), a halter over the top, a sircingle with a saddle pad on underneath it and a lunge line. The lunge was attached to the halter, not the bride.

Anyway, took him in and put him on a right hand circle and he was FAB!!! Really listened, was very comfortable and calm with walk and trot and just really really well behaved (this is only about our 3rd time trying to lunge and the first in a really confined area).

Put him on a lefthand circle and he just had no idea. Walked him around by his side a couple of times to see if he would get the hang of it and he was definitely better but still nowhere near as good as on the right rein. Really weird, and I dont think he was being a dick on that rein, just didnt seem to get it! I know it will take a bit of work to get him used to this but we have time on our side :o)

We had one moment where he was being a shit (on the left rein) and as he went to stop I clicked him on and moved towards his arse to get him moving again and he kind of leapt forward and gave a feck-off kick out to the side....well, he was told in no uncertain terms that it was not acceptable in and way, shape or form....he didnt try that again :o)

For only our 3rd attempt I was really pleased with him, he listened really well and for the most part was a very obliging youngster. Hopefully the area in the round pen will stay dry enough that I can continue with this over the next month or so until it dries out enough to start properly backing him.

Sorry no pics as it was just me and my boy!!

Just some new pics for today...

Just went out and took Diesels rug off and thought I would get a couple of new pics to show him all fluffy.....aawwwww!!! The other horse is Chevy (same sire as Diesel) and he is 5 years old next month. Diesel is now 3 yrs and 6 months old.

Visit from the Dentist....

Poor old Diesel...he had his visit from the Dentist last week!!!

Neil Twentyman came out to check his teeth so we are all ready for mouthing him and start breaking him in....

Neil is such a good vet and was so wonderful with Diesel.

He needed his back teeth rasping which wasnt a big deal atall....and then we set to work on his Wolf Teeth....and boy, did they take some pulling out. Poor Diesel was sedated twice in the end as they were such big Wolf teeth and he was not too happy about the whole experience lol.

So we now have a lovely mouth, with no wolf teeth to interfer with his bit and this week (once the weather clears a bit) I will introduce him to the bridle again. He has worn one before but it has been quite some time now.

I am really looking forward to starting to do more with Diesel, he was so fabulous when we hopped on him the other day that I feel very confident in all that is ahead. I am especially looking forward to the Spring when I will be able to do that much more with him....my paddocks are too wet and muddy now to do much but its all GOOD!!!!!

Here are some pics from his Dentist visit....

I SAT ON DIESEL......I REALLY TRULY DID!!!

Today was a totally fabulous day.....got Diesel out for a brush and we were just chilling with Helena and Leah and the boys. Well, Leah took her saddle off her horse and took it over to Diesels stall and just plonked it on his back. He has had one on a few times before so it was no surprise he wasnt bothered by it atall.

She was slapping it and moving it over his back and still he stood there...

My hubby Laurie comes out to see what we are up to....

Helena pushes Diesel over to the side rail and my darling hubby starts putting weight on the saddle (from the other side of the rail). PS Hubby is not 'horsey' atall so was quite surprised.

Then Diesel came over to my rail and I started leaning over the saddle until my whole weight was on him and none on the rail.

I thought that was enough so kinda backed off. Next thing Helena was putting her weight on the saddle, then just lifted her leg over and was sitting IN the saddle on Diesel....for the first time ever SOMEONE WAS SITTING ON DIESELS BACK!!!.

Well, I couldnt let Helena have all the fun so it was my turn. And I did it, I sat on my beautiful black boy for the first time......a very surreal moment for me!

Diesel could not have given a crap about any of it. He didnt do anything wrong atall, in fact he was such a good boy I even lead him around the stall with Helena on board and he was PERFECT.

All I can say is I am ABSOLUTELY STOKED with my young man. He is now 3 years and 5 months and hopefully this is the beginning of his breaking in process....and with the help of some lovely friends I am sure that we can do this ourselves.

Some pics as proof :o) ha ha

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.......