Snort!

Yesterday I saddled Sandy up and worked him in the big arena...from the ground. He was soft and supple just like he'd been on Monday. I tied his nose around to both sides (but not at the same time, of course) and he gave just like I knew he would. He's very soft like that. I also began walking alongside of him, pushing into his side with the stirrup as though it were my leg. He did some nice yields in both directions.

Again, I had no one to assist in my climbing on. My mouth was watering for a ride. I popped my foot into the stirrup and bounced up and down a few times. His head stayed low and he was completely relaxed.

Not smart, I told myself, to climb on with no one around to dial 911. It was all I could do to resist. I gave him a pat and put him away.

Not long afterwards Jay the farrier showed up. He went out to visit Sandy, and aside from me, this is the first time Sandy relaxed for anyone. Oh, sure, he still snorted, but he stood quietly enough that Jay decided he may as well give the boy a pedicure. Sandy stood better than many a broke horse!

Jay has helped out when it's been time to take that first ride more than once for Curt. Since Sandy seemed so smitten, it was a no brainer to ask him if he'd be willing to help me out. First thing tomorrow morning, he said, 9:00 am.

Hooray!

And at 9:01 Jay kept his word, pulling into the driveway. I went out and saddled Sandy and handed the lead over to Jay, who then led him to the round pen. Sandy had to stop and snort, protesting for a moment or two before coming inside. Round pens mean work! Jay led him around as I adjusted my helmet on my head. That's right...no chances being taken here! If I'd have a mouth piece, I'd have been wearing that too, lol!

Sandy stood nice as you please for me to mount. We stood still for a minute or two, letting him get the feel of my body weight on top of his back before I asked him to move forward. His ears twitched as he listened. Jay walked closely, then began to give him a little more slack. Sandy was listening to my voice, hands and legs as he hesitantly moved around the pen. At one point, something scared him and he spooked. Jay grabbed at the lead as I picked up the reins. The close contact just made it worse, so Jay relaxed his hold and Sandy relaxed as well. We stood another minute as I patted him and told him what a good boy he was, then we began moving again.

Both directions, nothing bad happening. He relaxed more and more as time went on. Not much time, mind you; nothing much over five minutes. Enough for him to get the feel of things, though. Dismounting sent him off to the right as he was concerned about seeing me suddenly appear out of nowhere, but it wasn't so fast that I found myself in trouble.

And that was that. Sandy's first ride is completed!

Join the Hay Burner's Club and donate $15 towards Sandy's upkeep and I'll send you a 5x7 photo (once the horse is here, of course.) Or buy advertising space in the form of a button.