I had a journal that I started when I first got Aires, but I haven't touched it in years. Rather than digging it up, I decided to start fresh.
So...
Aires will be SEVEN in May. I don't even know how to deal with that. I have had him since he was a two-year-old barely-handled stud colt.
For those of you who don't know my boy, Aires is a Percheron/paint cross. He was 15hh and barely halter-broke when I bought him in late May of 2011. I did all his groundwork myself, teaching him to lead, yield, lunge, and getting him used to the saddle. My old BO, who I bought him from, technically broke him to saddle, with a friend of mine who is also a trainer putting the first four rides on him. I was then handed the reins and told "Have fun." We trail rode a few times over the following years and rode a few times in the arena. I have some serious fear issues from a horse who threw me right after I first bought Aires and they have kept me from doing as much with my boy as I should have.
A year after I bought Aires, I moved to a new barn, where we've been for almost four years now (it'll be four years in the fall, I believe). I adore our barn now. The BO is amazing. The facilities are super nice. But, I've only ridden Aires twice since we moved there.
This year, I have decided that I need to stop being a ninny and ride my horse. He has NEVER given me reason to fear or doubt him. Ever. I want to ride in the shows at our barn this summer. I have already arranged for my shift to be covered on the days of the shows (I manage a local hotel).
So, I am going to record our progress here. I am also going to get a planner and use it to schedule my time and record what we accomplish each session in it.
I have a confession. I am VERY green in the saddle. My cumulative riding experience would add up to less than a year. I know that green plus green usually equals black and blue. Aires is an old soul, though, much like me. I know we can do this.
My goals for our first week are as follows:
-Groundwork: I know Aires has solid manners, but he needs a tune-up, as do I. I also want to work on his giving to the bit more, as that's not something my old BO really taught him when he broke him out.
-Giving to the bit: See above
-Stop: His stop is sloppy right now, on the ground and in the saddle. I need it 100%, as that's my biggest fear issue right now (him not stopping...even though he's never really bolted, it still scares me when he won't stop when asked.
Posted via Mobile Device
So...
Aires will be SEVEN in May. I don't even know how to deal with that. I have had him since he was a two-year-old barely-handled stud colt.
For those of you who don't know my boy, Aires is a Percheron/paint cross. He was 15hh and barely halter-broke when I bought him in late May of 2011. I did all his groundwork myself, teaching him to lead, yield, lunge, and getting him used to the saddle. My old BO, who I bought him from, technically broke him to saddle, with a friend of mine who is also a trainer putting the first four rides on him. I was then handed the reins and told "Have fun." We trail rode a few times over the following years and rode a few times in the arena. I have some serious fear issues from a horse who threw me right after I first bought Aires and they have kept me from doing as much with my boy as I should have.
A year after I bought Aires, I moved to a new barn, where we've been for almost four years now (it'll be four years in the fall, I believe). I adore our barn now. The BO is amazing. The facilities are super nice. But, I've only ridden Aires twice since we moved there.
This year, I have decided that I need to stop being a ninny and ride my horse. He has NEVER given me reason to fear or doubt him. Ever. I want to ride in the shows at our barn this summer. I have already arranged for my shift to be covered on the days of the shows (I manage a local hotel).
So, I am going to record our progress here. I am also going to get a planner and use it to schedule my time and record what we accomplish each session in it.
I have a confession. I am VERY green in the saddle. My cumulative riding experience would add up to less than a year. I know that green plus green usually equals black and blue. Aires is an old soul, though, much like me. I know we can do this.
My goals for our first week are as follows:
-Groundwork: I know Aires has solid manners, but he needs a tune-up, as do I. I also want to work on his giving to the bit more, as that's not something my old BO really taught him when he broke him out.
-Giving to the bit: See above
-Stop: His stop is sloppy right now, on the ground and in the saddle. I need it 100%, as that's my biggest fear issue right now (him not stopping...even though he's never really bolted, it still scares me when he won't stop when asked.
Posted via Mobile Device