Introducing Windy Dean, a.k.a. Rebel!

Lovely. I am sure they will get on fine given time.

Claire

WAHOO!!!! Got Rebel's registration papers in the mail today! The previous owner's first choice of registered name was taken, so he is now officially Salutes B Windy! I like it. An AQH with registration papers for $100? This deal keeps getting sweeter. :)

On Sunday, Rebel did wonderfully with his first hoof trim. We decided to go ahead and try to do it without sedating him to see how he would take it... He wasn't particularly thrilled with the process, but he didn't fight it at all and now has comfy feet! I forgot to bring my camera to take before and after pics of those feet, though. :(

Here are some of the latest pics... Working on more desensitizing, mostly (seems we can't get enough of that!). I'm also working on teaching him that humans have a "bubble of space" around them that he's not allowed to enter into unless invited... He's such a sweetie that he tries to cuddle all the time! Which is cute now, but will NOT be tolerated when he's twice the size he is now. Hence, teaching him respect for a human's space NOW, when it's easier. He's doing ok, but I think that lesson could take him longer than some of the others.

His gelding continues to heal smoothly, and he's putting on some weight. Now that he's used to grooming, his little fluffy coat is getting shinier too! Sorry about bad picture quality, I have yet to remember to take the actual camera out there. Pics are taken from my phone, and our indoor arena has been very dusty lately (don't know why barn manager hasn't hosed it down recently...). But cruddy pics are better than no pics!

He's looking good. Lucky you having an indoor space to play in, could do with one here.

Claire

Yeah, the indoor is a lifesaver, since I don't get off work until after dark in the winter. It's the only way I get to work with him during the week
:)

Today is the first day of Rebel's pasture life! We let him out with the other horses after walking the entire fenceline with him so he knows where his boundaries are. I was impressed with how he did with the other horses... They're not always the most welcoming, but he let them know that he knew he wasn't the boss and they mostly left him alone. A threaten to kick or bite here or there, but I don't think anybody actually went after him.

Here's a video of us letting him out... I was a little surprised that he didn't take off like a little red bullet. He LOVES to run, and when I put Caly out for the first time, the whole herd took off like a bunch of wild mustangs. So even though it was kinda anti-climactic, I'm going to post it anyway. :)

P.S. Nito, the gelding with the flaxen mane, is clearly underweight. His owner, my barn manager, just purchased him and is giving him grain and hay separately, along with a weight builder. Just want to make sure any concerned viewers understand the situation. :)

P.P.S. Please excuse my yucky sounding voice and sniffles... I have a pretty nasty cold.

P.P.P.S. Isn't Caly a clown? I was trying soooo hard not to shake the camera because I was laughing when she tried to eat it. Silly mare.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Sd3d81Tr7k

They will sort out who is the boss of who given time, wasn't Rebel sweet with his little 'i'm a baby' mouthing he did, they seem like a nice here and Caly is lovely.

Claire

Thank you! I am so biased by my relationship with her that I sometimes wonder if she's not as fabulous as I always think she is. I think that might be the case with a lot of horse owners.

WHEW, it's been a crazy couple of days. Since we let Rebel onto the pasture, the weather has been HORRIBLE, with actual temperatures in the teens fahrenheit, and "feels like" temperatures reaching as low as -10! And, just to make life more difficult, Rebel has decided he doesn't need to be caught. Ever. Hubby has tried and failed at least once a day to catch him since we put him out there. Hubby has never dealt with this problem and has now accidentally allowed Rebel to think escaping capture is a game. So, in this below freezing weather, hubby and I will begin spending time out in the pasture with a couple handfuls of grain to get Rebel used to the idea that leaving the pasture is a good thing.
I had relative success today when I went out and intentionally didn't catch him... I had him following me all over the field, except RIGHT in front of the gate. So we have made the first baby step in the right direction. *sigh*
This big "roadblock" in our progress has been very discouraging for me especially, as I know what to do to move Rebel's progress forward, but I have a hard time explaining that to the lesser experienced hubby. He's good with horses, but he's never dealt with difficult or untrained ones. And I work so much that I can't help except on weekends.
I know that in the early training of younger horses especially, these hitches in progress are to be expected. I'm just relatively impatient, I guess. Maybe Rebel will be teaching me patience while I teach him to be a good boy!

He's very cute!

So cute!!! You got a great buy there!!