Circle Trotters...and Steve Holt! week 13

It was bone chilling cold up in Lynden yesterday when Darling and I arrived. We'd decided to take the boys up to the schooling show which benefited local non-profits as they try to feed hungry horses this winter. Darling has never been inside the ring with a horse before, and she'd been a bit uncomfortable about it last fall when I offered. The past couple of weeks, however, have seen her hungry to give it a try.

So we loaded up Sandy and Steve Holt! and headed into Little Canada. No, it's not really Canada, but you can see the Canadian Rockies from Lynden and the wind blasts it's way out of the Frazier Valley with force great enough to make you think you're not in Kansas anymore. Which of course, you never were to begin with...but images of Dorothy and Toto and Mrs. Gulch on her bicycle or broom are hard not to imagine when the wind gets blowing. And although the snow had melted from the parking lot here in these photos, it was still stuck to the tops of nearly every horse trailer there, which tells the tale of how cold it still is up here in the northwest.

But on to the show!

I signed Darling up for two classes, both walk trot; pleasure and stock seat equitation. As we got closer and closer to lunch break, Darling whined louder and louder about wanting to ride in a bareback class. I know she's not ready to be loping in circles, and I hadn't told her there was a walk trot bareback because let's be honest here...she's not been working a bit on horse show skills, just basic stay on the horse skills, and since Sandy had only been in one other show I didn't want to take a chance of him being snorty while in a crowd of kids. But Darling, when she's persistent, can generally sway me, and since Sandy was totally relaxed with her during warm up, I told her to pull off her saddle and sent her into the walk trot bareback class.

Darling was happier with that seventh place bareback ribbon than she was with her fourth place stock seat ribbon, or her second place western pleasure ribbon! To her, staying on that horse and having a good ride was more important than the placing. I'm very proud of her.

Steve Holt! handled himself much better than I'd thought he might. He's been in the arena once before, so I didn't have any qualms about him being nervous. I didn't expect him to do so well at keeping himself together on the rail, though. Yet he kept a steady pace and worked very hard to keep his head set nicely for me. We were fourth out of five in the Parent Pleasure class, but I'm going to venture to guess we were pretty close to the third place horse. We also entered showmanship, which was funny because I've not practiced setting up until we got there. Again, he was relaxed and tried his best. I thought we should have placed one placing higher, but maybe we were bumped down because we nearly ran over the judge? Could be...but Steve Holt! found her interesting and was in a hurry to go see her. Our third class was an open walk trot 'advanced pleasure equitation' class. Crazy...what the heck is advanced walk trot, anyway? The other walk trot that Darling entered was beginnner, never having won a blue. I really thought this class was for those green horses who weren't ready for walk trot lope, but there were no restrictions so I swear every horse was there in that arena with us! Over 20, easily. Again Steve Holt! did everything he was asked, but of course with his bouncy stride we weren't able to compete with those who truly were advanced, so placing was out of the question.

All in all it was a terrific day for everyone involved. Hungry horses got fed, Darling and Sandy did well as a team, and Steve Holt! got a little extra exposure that will come in quite handy when we head to Expo.

Steve Holt!, week 10

Gulp.

Does that really say 10? Which means in 5 weeks, it's all over.

Steve Holt's week was one of repetition for the most part. More work on picking up leads, more work on consistent speed, more work on keeping his head at an acceptable level. His stride is so large and springy that it's tough to get a western jog/trot, but at least it's sit-able now.

He's also picking up his leads a bit more readily...that is until he starts to get worked a bit harder. Yesterday we were at a lesson and Curt was asking me to do a little one rein stop each time Steve Holt! picked up too much speed. This began to frustrate Steve Holt! and the leads began to come wrong. I'm not sure why everything falls apart, except that maybe he's just mentally not ready for this? Once it begins to fall apart with him, I feel it beginning to fall apart with me, so that's something I've got to work out. I think I have to listen to my instincts here and not worry so much about speed as long as it's consistent and under control. I know that the slower speed will come, and I can't let that looming deadline rattle me.

We've done a lot more trail class work this week, setting up obstacles all over the arena (and hoping that those who show up to ride while we're there don't mind!) I found a huge piece of cardboard which is doubling as a bridge. It's funny how the horses will walk over a raised wooden bridge but freak out over cardboard on the ground. Sandy refuses to walk on it; it makes funny noise and dirt scatters across it when he snorts at it. Steve Holt! hasn't got an issue with it, though, and walks over it each time.

Sidepassing is giving Steve Holt! some issues and I'm wondering if it's a calf knee thing. He just seems to bump into himself rather than getting those cross overs. To avoid knocking his legs or trying to cross over, he steps forward and backward and is always knocking into the pole. Whatever the reason, we've got to figure it out and get it corrected. There will be no finals round for horses who cannot negotiate the obstacle course!

Steve Holt! has some rubbing from his saddle pad back on his hip. This will not help us during the body conditioning portion of the competition. I've been looking at new pads, but lets face it...there's no guarantee that it won't rub, and I've got only a month to fix it. So I've decided to order a new Aussie pad and will start riding in the Aussie saddle. Anything to keep the pressure off those points. Body conditioning may only be 20% of the score, but can make or break you if the competition is close.

Darling did get a snippet of video while we did some trail yesterday, however she's yet to get it onto the computer. She was a bit obsessed with her new boots and created a video of those instead...kids!

If you're planning on attending the Northwest Horse Fair and Expo, be sure to visit Steve Holt!'s official fan club store so that you're easily spotted in the crowd! Just click the photo below and go!

Steve Holt!, week 9

I'd forgotten what it was like to see that little ticker on my blog. I sign in and there it is, reminding me that I am no where near ready.

Yesterday Darling and I went down to the trail with two other women, but our time was limited. Steve Holt! wasn't sure about the other horses at first. After all, there was an Arabian there, and he most definitely did not like that little horse. Eventually he forgot the horse was there (probably because it was in the lead, and he was at the end of the line) and walked nicely down the trail following Sandy's tail. Eventually we changed positions, and he led for a short bit, then Sandy jogged past us and led the rest of the way back. It was a nice break from the arena.

I rode in the Aussie saddle for the first time yesterday, first on the trail and then in the arena. I was thrilled to find my leg back where it belonged. I'm wondering if it's just the stiffness of that particular western saddle that has me swinging forward so much? Whatever it is, I'm going to use the Aussie for a while so that I'm in a more user friendly position with that right leg.

I've not got much of a list when it comes to new accomplishments this week.

1) His feet were done for the first time. Just a bit of rasping, enough to relax and get used to them being handled. Plus, it was his first time allowing a man inside his private circle.

2) Riding on the trail in a group setting.

Aside from those two things, we did a lot of review. More circles, more working on getting those shoulders where they belong, more effort poured into setting up for picking up correct leads. My friend Shelley said recently that training horses is boring work. And when you get to this point...yes, it truly is. Repetition, however, is what we need right now.

Peek A Boo!

For those of you in the northwest, you may be interested in a Steve Rother clinic that is coming up. Jamie Thomas, another EMM trainer, is organizing the event and asked me to pass along the information. You can contact her at jthomas@midpointcad.com

Steve Holt!, week 8

It's rather like wishing on a star, or blowing out your candles and telling people what your wish is...the fear of it not coming true keeps your lips sealed! But lips are not fingers...are they?

Steve Holt! has so many things going for him over Sandy, yet Sandy had things going for him that Steve Holt! does not. Mainly, he was so incredibly balanced that he could bluff his way into the spotlight. Steve Holt!, however, is more athletic and has a more disciplined mind when it comes to learning.

All this to say that I'm in search of music to use should we make the finals. Did I type that out loud? Yes, I think I did...and it really puts me out there. What if we dive bomb? Could happen...he could totally fall apart. But there's no point in thinking of all the things that could go wrong; I want to be prepared should all the things go right. But golly, the musical choices have given me a headache!

As I was telling Darling, I like the 40's swing music; Candyman and Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy are so much fun! I'd have to dress the part, though...meaning I'd need a stomach girdle. It'd need to be cinched up tight to give me one of those tiny 40's waists. Darling is certain I'd not be able to breath. Of course, climbing on top of my horse is already difficult and stepping into the stirrup could cause me to pass out. I may need to use stairs...or a crane to lift me up onto him. I'd probably need to go on a diet, or do sit ups to help prepare. Perhaps 40's music and a tiny waist are over rated.

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Are you ready for Steve Holt!'s week in review?

1) We got to watch buffalo work! Of course, he nearly fell asleep, but I suppose that's better than hanging off the rafters, eh?

2) We've been for 2 trail rides. First was a solo around the bottom of the tree farm. We also went out with Darling and Sandy. That story is coming as soon as the video is ready.

3) We had a reporter and photographer come to visit. I'm not sure how that's making headway in training, but it was fun!

4) Steve Holt!'s trot is beginning to slow down, and his lope really is beginning to take shape.

5) Good golly...are you ready? He can actually stop! Well, from the walk or trot, that is. Loping can be tricky as it depends on his frame of mind. But we're getting there.

It was a good week for bonding. We're going to continue to work on our whoa and hopefully make those lead changes a little smoother this week.

What are you planning to do this coming week?

Steve Holt!, week 7

I have been with Steve Holt! for seven weeks now. We have just over 7 left before leaving for Albany. I expect that gives me roughly 40 more rides, for a total of 60 before we compete.

Those big, huge, monumental steps have been taken. He loads into a trailer like a pro. He lets me climb on and off without a care. He follows me anywhere I ask him to go, be it through running water, beneath streamers or over bridges. His curious nature has won out over his cautious side, just as I'd hoped.

This past week we did meet up with a few milestones, however:

1) We rode in Curt's arena with 3 other horses, plus 2 more tied to the rail, as the hydra bull ran. Although he'd seen the bull working the previous Saturday, this time I was on his back and he relaxed enough to walk with a dropped head while the bull and one of the horses went head to head working.

2) We traveled up to the Trail Dayze event again, and this time he was saddled and ridden in an arena with 9 other horses. A small arena, too...not some big fairgrounds arena where horses had room to move. No...we were packed like sardines and someone was trying to give a riding lesson in the middle of it all. Horses were circling and darting in and out in front and behind us, and other than him not liking when they passed us, he was cool with it all.

3) Not only did he handle himself well in the crowd, Steve Holt! handled himself well over the trail obstacles. He crossed the bridge mounted for the first time. I asked for a sidepass from his back and got it...both directions! Not pretty, but he's trying to figure it out. We backed an L. I also asked him to attempt getting through the rope gate. This was his biggest struggle because I was asking him to sidepass without a pole beneath to help guide him. But...we did it, and I was able to hang onto the rope the entire time.

4) We're working on our half pass. I aimed him straight down the center of the arena on Friday where I could watch us in that big mirror that Steve Holt! loves so well. He moves quite nicely to the right, but the left isn't quite as easy for him. It's coming along, though.

Round circles, straight lines. That's what Curt is always telling me. We need to work on our round circles. They're anything but round. Our lines are fairly straight, however. We'll be working on a lot of serpentines this week, plus more simple changes as well as getting his stop down pat. On Tuesday we're expecting a visitor...stay tuned!

Steve Holt!, week 6

Steve Holt! had a lovely week. We spent a lot of time going over the things we've already learned. A lot of in hand work, more round pen work, and some big arena time. Our whoa is coming together. Not stop on a dime yet...no where near that. But he's changing gears when he hears the word. Now we just need to work on getting the actual stop rather than a slow down. I did find that he's got a stop button, however. While he's walking along, if I reach back and pat his rump, he immediately believes it's time to whoa. Kinda funny. Maybe I can work that into his freestyle... Look! If you fall off backwards over his butt, he'll stop! Yeah...I can see it all now...

Here's how our week shaped up:

1) The whoa is progressing. He's understanding that it means come to a stop, but he's not aware of just how quickly that stop should be there.

2) He's grasping the concept of backing while I'm on him.

3) Steve Holt! is responding nicely to my request for small circles.

4) He's beginning to realize that legs mean something other than go, as I can move him either away from the rail, or back to it, with a little added leg pressure.

5) We hauled to a new arena where there were a lot of horses moving around us. He was a bit excited at first, but settled down and got to work.

6) We've been riding in the big arena. He's listening well enough to trot circles. Because the riding club arena is 160x180, it's a bit large for me to have felt comfortable breaking into a lope until he gets a bit more power steering...or until someone is on the end of a lungeline to help him with the whole circle concept. Or until we've loped in a smaller arena.

7) He's no longer kicking up his heels when asked to lope in the round pen. He does, however, pin his ears and try to cut across the center rather than just pick it up nicely at the rail.

8) We went for a lesson again yesterday. It was ride 14. We loped! Not that loping alone is big (well, of course it is, but you know...), but we did it in the arena not the round pen. And whats more...

9) ...we did it with another horse working in there with us. Steve Holt! has seen other horses on the outside of the round pen, but this is the first time he's had someone passing him, or had to pass them. Aside from some ear pinning and nose lifting, he did fine.

10) And what's more...after we were done we were sent to the corner while Curt fired up the Hydra Bull. Steve Holt! was nervous, which meant his feet were moving, but after a couple of minutes of watching the other horse work he began to settle in.

Steve Holt!, week 5

Steve Holt! had a terrific week, despite the rain and flooding in our region. While my stalls are on the downhill side of our property, and water does tend to drain into them, it could have been a lot worse as you know after seeing Duns video earlier in the week. While things got a bit damp and even soggy, the horses were drier inside than many horses in the northwest this past week.

On to our successes of week # 5!

1) Steve Holt! learned to stand tied for long periods of time. Long to us, at least. 20 minutes at the rail while I rode Sandy at the riding club was pretty darned good, I thought. He also stood pleasantly at the side of the trailer later in the week.

A couple days ago Darling and I had both geldings tied at the rail inside the arena when another woman came in with her two quarter horses. She tied the first one to the rail alongside Sandy, then left to get the second out of the trailer. Her little mare began pitching a major hissy fit, throwing herself around at the end of her rope and screaming wildly for her buddy. My two geldings stood there alongside her; Sandy preferring to ignore the scene next to him, and Steve Holt! leaning forward and craning his neck to see around Sandy, wondering what the commotion was all about. Darling looked at me and smiled. She didn't have to say it, I knew what was coming, "Better be careful with those mustangs; they're wild, you know."

2) I can now pick up all four feet easily, and even get the front feet between my knees like a farrier. Maybe I need to start trimming my own horses? I don't think my back would hold up, but at least I know my new boy will stand patiently for me if I were to try.

3) We went for a walk and crossed a deep creek (once on purpose, once not!) Water hazards will not be an issue for this guy. It's yet to be seen how he feels about mud. My other mustangs are worried about sinking and becoming fossil fuel.

4) Ponying around the tree farm is fun! Steve Holt! did a great job of listening to me, staying back behind Sandy's centerline, walking through knee deep water and not being bothered by seeing a hiker and his dog on the trail.

5) Steve Holt! now stands tied inside the trailer and can be hauled with another horse.

6) Although we're struggling with catching and haltering issues right now (a definite step back), Steve Holt! is taking the bit easier. I can get my right arm up over his head and pull both ears under the headstall from one side without having to do one, then cross over and do the other. He's also relaxing while I stand in front of him, dropping his head down so that his poll is only chest high, allowing me to rub the top of his head and his ears...a definite sign of trust. Or is it resignation???

7) We've begun to lope! And what a lope it is. So smooth...like floating on air.

8) Steve Holt!'s in hand work is coming along nicely. He's trotting around cones, although his stride is long and he's still breaking gait a bit when the circles get small. He's backing an L nicely and can sidepass down the length of the pole without mishap.

9) We rode in the big arena, if only a few minutes.

10) Saturday we hauled down to Curt's for our first riding lesson! The round pen, as you may recall, is fully enclosed with 8' walls. In order to see what was going on, Curt has to climb a big block of wood on the outside and hang over the the top of the wall...certainly a sight not common to Steve Holt!, but aside from some curious looks, he worked well. Curt said he looked great for ride 8. I asked what I should be working on, and he said he wouldn't change a thing... :)

And that, folks, is week number five recap. Five down...ten to go. I couldnt' be happier with where we're at.

Steve Holt!, week 4

What do you think, Steve Holt!?
Shall we attempt bareback and bridleless?

Maybe I should label this "Steve Holt!'s Incredible Week"!

Let's just get right down to it, shall we?

1) Trailer loading. The first attempt was beautifully executed. He went in and out several times without a hitch. The following day wasn't so pretty. We battled and put several divots in the grass as he jumped away and I sent him in a flurry of circles. His hooves broke through the icy snow, he slipped, I swore (oops) and he worked up a sweat. I finally got smart, pulled off the blanket and tossed my rope around his sorry hiney and drug him in. Next attempt at loading? Stepped right up behind me without a moment's hesitation. Since then? Toss the rope over his back and he walks in on his own.

2) First trailer ride since coming home. This is the reason he didn't want to get back in. He was nervous. But the second day's ride was smoother and we couldn't feel him jostling around nearly so much. When I open the door now, I find him with a mouthful of hay. Can't be too nervous if you're munching.

3) He doesn't bolt out of the trailer, but waits for me to give him the okay, waiting patiently inside the door.

4) I mounted. I rode. Three rides were taken this week. The first two at the riding club, the third here at home. The home ride wasn't the best. Footing is slick and I didn't warm him up like I have the other two rides. There was a bit of tension there, whether it was from him or me I dont' know. Likely me, although neither of us was sure about the footing. Once around and I climbed off. Just wanted to be able to give him another building block.

5) He's learning to trot in hand. His leading has always been relaxed at a walk, but encouraging those trotting steps, as you know, can be a challenge. But he's figuring it out quickly enough. Too bad my legs can't keep up with his big trot!

6) Walking around cones. Cones, as I mentioned while training Sandy, can be tricky for a horse who's never seen them. Steve Holt! doesn't mind, however, and walked perfect little figure 8s around them with me, followed by backing near perfect figure 8's afterwards. This was a bit surprising to me given the limited amount of back up we've done. Like, say...none.

7) Back between poles. I set a couple of poles out in the arena the other day and led him in between, then asked him to back out. Nice, straight, light...no bumps.

8) Sidepass over poles. Never been asked before. Once he realized what I wanted, as in both front and back, not just shoulders or hips, he sailed down to the end without so much as a tap from my finger. I led him around, backed him through, asked for a pivot and sailed down the opposite direction. Can we say smart boy?

9) Standing tied. He's done it at home, and he's done it a the hitching rail at the riding club.

10) Letting me walk behind him. He's been nervous, as they all are, about me being behind him. Standing at the rail at the riding club last week, he'd swing his hind end quickly as I walked from one side to the other. Then he realized what I was doing, and I can now put my hand up on the dock of his tail and walk around without him becoming worried.

11) I was able to put the bridle on without having a halter on him yesterday. This is one of those really big deals because he's still sensitive about his face, and pulling that headstall over the ears while he has the ability to just bolt away was a sign of great progress.

It's been a big week for Steve Holt!, that's for sure. Two things that still need work: Feet. I can run my hands down his legs and ask for the foot, and he'll pick it up, then move off. I try to let go before the move off happens so that it's as painless and stress free as possible, and it seems to be helping. The other thing that needs work is a huge hole...the whoa. I'm considering doing some ground driving so he can get used to me asking for that while not at his head. If I had someone who could be there each day like I did with Sandy, the whoa transition might come easier. Perhaps the roads will clear enough to make it down to see Curt, and perhaps even Jay, this next week.

Speaking of Jay...I spoke with him the other day and he told me he's buying JoJo. You recall JoJo, don't you? I rode her last year when I began taking lessons from Curt. Big brown mare with oodles of talent and athletic ability. I loved that mare, but she's always been Jay's girl. I was really happy to hear he's buying her.

Steve Holt!, weekly update

Darling grows weary of driveway rides...

Steve Holt!'s week was slow due to the holiday and snow. The round pen snow is packed down pretty tight now and slick enough to make working in it a bit dicey. We did, however, manage a short list of accomplishments.

1) He stands rather nicely for the saddle pads and saddle going onto his back. He doesn't mind me reaching beneath him for the cinch, but he's nervous about the tightening process.

2) I can throw his blanket over the top of the saddle and lead him around. He wasn't happy about it at first, but since it hasn't eaten him yet, he's coming around.

3) Steve Holt! lets me touch his ears and rub them a bit. He's not happy about it, but we're improving.

4) He's had the bridle on three times now. He's learning to give to pressure from the bit as I ask him to turn his nose towards me.

5) I can blanket him without having to hang onto his rope. He's letting me put the straps on around his hind legs.

A short list, to be sure. But getting the hand up on the ears and poll is a big thing...a HUGE thing. Bridling and haltering will become so much easier if he'll start to relax with me handling his face.

Today, day 22, held a couple more forward steps in Steve Holt!'s training. I walked into his run and pulled his blanket off without first getting the rope on him. He stood pretty still with very little urge to escape; I was quite pleased.

With the blanket off, I hauled the saddle pads up to him, one at a time, and plunked them down on his back. Still no rope...he just stood there. Saddle in hand, a somewhat concerned look crossed his face, but again he stood without so much as a shuffle and up onto his back the saddle went. I've always had the rope on him before and there's always been some sort of forward movement, so this was really exciting.

He was turned loose in the round pen and left unattended for an hour today. At first he avoided being caught, but after a couple of circles he caved.

He also learned to stand tied while I untacked him and then brushed him.

When I left him, it was without his halter on. He let me walk up to him later in the afternoon and rub all over his face; we'll see how easy it is in the morning to get it back on.

All in all, a very good day 22!

Steve Holt! weekly update: week 2

And the snow just...keeps...falling...

Yesterday when I woke up I walked out into a whopping 8 degrees. The horses had pretty much emptied the water tub, but when I went to the faucet it was frozen. I grabbed a couple of buckets, came inside, filled them with hot water, then went back out and dumped the water on the faucet. Problem solved.

No. Problem not solved.

Hose was frozen. I'd drained it the last time I used it, but evidently there was enough water left somewhere in there to create a blockage, so back inside with the buckets, and back out with steaming hot water to dump onto the hose.

Didn't work. Although I did manage to get myself nice and wet, and instantly found myself with ice covered cover alls.

I've heard some folks put their hoses in their bath tubs to thaw them. That wasn't going to work. The hose wasn't exactly coiled up nice and neat...it was long and stiff and I wasn't about to try to drag it through the house while everyone was asleep to the bath tub. Not to mention I'd have to shed all my clothes, including the ice covered cover alls, before setting foot inside. No...that wouldn't work. Instead I decided I'd stuff the hose into the washing machine.

Remember when I said the hose was stiff and not coiled? Stuffing it into the wash was rather like putting 3' spaghetti noodles into a pot without breaking them...you just stand and wait for them to slowly become limp, stuffing more and more in as you go.

The thought occurred to me that the hose would probably freeze the moment I set foot outside and all this struggle would be for not...and I should have listened to myself.

In the end, I was packing buckets. If I'd just started out packing buckets I'd have been done a lot earlier and wouldn't my clothes wouldn't have been frozen. Live and learn.

On to Steve Holt!'s week. It's been so cold that I've ignored a couple things that I'd hoped to accomplish; picking up feet and standing tied. That said, here's what we've done:

Steve Holt! now allows me to rub his muzzle. I can run my fingers around his lips and up inside his mouth, massaging his gums. He's not sure about the finger in the mouth, but finds it interesting enough to stand for it.

He's now without his short lead as he's become more tolerant of me approaching.

He almost stands still for the big blanket to go on his back, and waits patiently for the front buckles and belly straps.

He leads nicely back and forth to the round pen as well as in the field.

He crosses the bridge.

He'll walk beneath a low pole with streamers; low is an issue as he has to duck his head.

Yesterday I put a new halter on him. I cheated; I put it on over the web halter, then slipped the web off underneath. Whatever...it's done. The rope gives me more control.

He's learning to drop his head with pressure. This wasn't happening with the web halter.

He jumped the blue barrel in the round pen. I didn't ask for it, he's been wanting to do it and finally did.

I ponied him off from the back of Sandy yesterday. We started in the round pen, then (while mounted) I opened the gate and we walked across the field. Steve Holt! stayed back at Sandy's hip and didn't try to move away from us. He was very respectful of Sandy's pinned back ears, but listened to me and walked up to sniff my hand.

Steve Holt! was saddled for the first time, fully, yesterday. He stood with his rope on the ground as I approached with the saddle blankets. This has been a big issue, standing still. Yesterday was the first time he didn't move. Both blankets went up without a hitch. He did try to side step away from the saddle, but not bad. I tightened the cinch for the first time and lunged him at a walk and trot, both ways.

Twice yesterday, for the first time, Steve Holt! approached me of his own free will without me having to work for it.

Yesterday marked a turning of the page. Not that we haven't got a lot of work ahead of us, but he made a decision to begin trusting me at a new level. If I were a more aggressive trainer, I'd have climbed on. But I'm not...I'm slow and soft. There are still holes and it's been too cold to spend that much time out there filling them. With the weather like it is, I may eventually have to take my first ride here at home, but I really hope not.

The goals for this week remain similar...if not the same. Pick up feet. Handle ears. Get a bridle on. Work on trailer loading (only haven't done this because City Boy has had the truck at work, meaning I can't back the trailer to a safe loading place...although I don't think we'll have any issues with this.)

Steve Holt! Weekly Update

So here it is, the end of our first week. Seven days...and what have we done?

Steve Holt! allows me to touch him pretty much all over...that is, once I have a hold of him. He's not 100% comfortable with being caught, but once my hand is on the lead, he's becoming quite agreeable.

I can run my hands down his front legs and he'll lift his feet without panic.

I can brush him all the way down his haunches to his hocks, and have even gone so far as down his cannon bone on one hind leg. I think he'd be fine for me to go all the way down on both legs, but we'll save that for next week.

I can also reach under his belly without him being nervous.

Steve Holt lets me pat his neck. Check out this boy's nice hiney!

He came with a pretty nasty witch's knot (or braid, to some) in his mane. I was afraid I'd have to cut it out. Today he stood still while I had both hands working on him, giving an occasional scratch under his mane along the crest of his neck to keep him focused on the good stuff. I was wishing I had something to spray in it to help loosen the strands of hair, but was pleased that he seemed comfortable enough to hang out and get a little attention.

Nasty knot...hope we don't need to cut it out!

He's super curious about things I bring into the paddock with me. He thinks things feel funny when they touch his lips, so grain isn't something he's been quite sure of. Today I put some alfalfa into a grain pan, with grain beneath it, in an attempt to encourage him. It was a no go, so I left it in his stall.

Speaking of stalls, that is another accomplishment; he not only stays in his stall all night without fighting, but I can lead him in and out of the stalls now without him being too worried.

Hey...check out the mane! Mission accomplished!

Steve Holt! has begun wearing jammies. I may have to find a better fitting blanket, though, as this one seems to slip around a bit. The buckle came undone as you can see; hopefully just a one time deal. It's cold outside and I don't want him going without now that he's had it on a couple of nights.


Getting the blanket on him Thursday was a challenge, but he wasn't too freaked out about it today. I took it off mid-morning, then put it back on before dinner. He was nervous, but nothing like last time. Tomorrow I'm going to put the back leg straps on; he's so good about letting me touch back there that I'm sure he can handle it.

"Why do you insist on torturing me???"

On Thursday, Steve Holt! allowed me to touch his face with both hands at the same time, one on each side of his head. That's a big deal...they feel trapped.

Today Steve Holt! let me stand on one side and reach my arm beneath his neck and up onto the other side and pat him under his mane. Again...a trapped feeling, but he remained calm.

I can stand at his shoulder, grab his mane and bounce up and down like I'm going to jump onto his back without him flinching.

All in all, a good week. There were a couple of things I'd liked to have done, but didn't, such as getting his halter off and on, but that will come. Next week the goal is to master the halter, lead him out to the round pen, and learn to load into the trailer. I'd also like to be able to pick up all four feet and begin saddling him.

Of course...nothing escapes the watchful eyes of the master horse trainer, Steven T. Cat. The T, I'm told, stands for The. I think perhaps he ought to be called Steven T. F. Cat. F, for fat...