He was supposed to go in July, but he cut his hock and the trainer sprained his ankle. I was also having reservations about sending him to live in a barn for thirty days but starting a thread on that here helped me get past that.
And, since July, I have trailered over there for lessons two or three times. Watching the trainer work with Gideon, and being able to ask questions and interact during the lessons has been invaluable. I am learning a lot for myself but I have also had the opportunity to place unwavering faith in the trainer.
Gideon is four, was "started" last summer but I am convinced, now, not started well so we assumed nothing and took him all the way back to the beginning. HUGE holes.
But Dave is calm, even-tempered, firm but fair and reads a horse extremely well. Believes, as I do, that a horse should not be fearful but should also not be coddled and treated as "precious baby." Gideon has shown both his fear places and his willfulness and has been allowed to work through both.
We worked him yesterday before Ieft, and Dave felt prepared to put a leg over, unstick his feet and ask for forward movement. In just a few short minutes he got three or four full, relaxed strides forward from the saddle, his first "real" ride since retraining began!
I am so excited to ride this big boy. He has big, beautiful movement and a "let's do this" attitude.
Most importantly I know that when I start riding he will be safe for me to get on and we will be under the tutelage of a real horseman. Counting my blessings and looking forward to the next 30-ish days!
And, since July, I have trailered over there for lessons two or three times. Watching the trainer work with Gideon, and being able to ask questions and interact during the lessons has been invaluable. I am learning a lot for myself but I have also had the opportunity to place unwavering faith in the trainer.
Gideon is four, was "started" last summer but I am convinced, now, not started well so we assumed nothing and took him all the way back to the beginning. HUGE holes.
But Dave is calm, even-tempered, firm but fair and reads a horse extremely well. Believes, as I do, that a horse should not be fearful but should also not be coddled and treated as "precious baby." Gideon has shown both his fear places and his willfulness and has been allowed to work through both.
We worked him yesterday before Ieft, and Dave felt prepared to put a leg over, unstick his feet and ask for forward movement. In just a few short minutes he got three or four full, relaxed strides forward from the saddle, his first "real" ride since retraining began!
I am so excited to ride this big boy. He has big, beautiful movement and a "let's do this" attitude.
Most importantly I know that when I start riding he will be safe for me to get on and we will be under the tutelage of a real horseman. Counting my blessings and looking forward to the next 30-ish days!