Aires was started under saddle on Friday! :-D Jen (the trainer at the barn) was keeping my friend updated throughout the whole thing while I was at work (she didn't have my number). Jen said he threw one little buck when they put the saddle on him and then settled right down. She said that he is going to be one of THE easiest horses to break she has ever had to deal with. So, here's a pic of Aires with the saddle on for the first time!
Fast forward to Tuesday...Aires was REALLY sore all weekend, but Monday was just fine, so Cam decided to work him again on Tuesday. I was there to watch (he's started working him in the evening because it's cooler) and I was sooo proud!! Cam worked three horses, including Aires, and Aires was THE BEST by far! He took the bit without hardly any fight (Cam uses a single joint snaffle with rollers and longer shanks on it...it looks almost like a cross between a curb bit, because of the shanks, and a snaffle). Cam also commented on how well he listens when he's lunged (mainly because we worked with him so much on it). Then he put a saddle pad on him and flopped it around a little bit (desensitizing him). Aires barely flinched. He then took the saddle pad off and put on the training saddle. Again, barely any flinching, except when the girth slapped his leg a little bit. Cam tightened the girth up, and then started lunging him. No bucking, no fighting, nothing. Just did everything he was asked...except canter. He still doesn't like to canter, but he's getting better.
So, here are pics from Tuesday AND a vid!
