Riding the wind
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Sunday, 21 May 2006: Well, it's finally happened - I got to ride our boy today, for the very first time. Actually, it's wasn't just MY first time on him, it was his first time with anyone at all on his back. My boy's growing up.
It started out normal enough - all our guys/gals got breakfast, then I took Blue into the training pen for a little saddle-work. He actually got excited about the saddle, stood there, quivering. When I put the saddle on his back, though, he did something that he's never done before - he braced his rear legs, just like he's seen Max, Banjo & Arizona do a million times. I got really curious -
So, I did it again, but this time it was full up, and I was sitting square in the saddle - on Blue. Want a thrill? Take care of a colt, feed him, love him, guide him as he grows up for nearly 5 years - and then ride him, after all that time. I only sat on him for a little while, and we didn't go anywhere, but he stood there - solid as a rock, calm as if he did it every day, the perfect 1st mounting.
Needless to say, there were a few extra treats for my boy today.
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Monday, 22 May 2006: Well, we did it again today. Added a bit to it though, we walked around the pen with Sue leading, and he was just fine with it. He got a bit tired after about 10 minutes of walking around - after all, I am 210 lbs - so we called it a day before he started hurting.
Tuesday, 23 May 2006: Rode again, about 15 minutes before he started getting tired. Going to take some time to build up his strength, I guess. Sue is leading him around with a lead rope while I teach him what reins are all about.
Wednesday, 24 May 2006: About 20 minutes in the saddle today before he started getting tired. Having a bit of a problem keeping him moving, probably because I'm too heavy. It'll get better.
Thursday, 25 May 2006: Well, another 20 minutes in the saddle today, but this time with Sue just walking around with him, no lead rope. He's beginning to get the idea of the reins too.
Friday, 26 May 2006: Took the day off, no work for my boy today. We went out into the neighborhood and just walked around, Blue with his grass-munching and me with a glass of iced tea. He's worked very hard for 5 consecutive days, and not one objection out of him. He's progressed from just standing there under me to walking all over the round-pen with Sue leading the way - no lead rope, just her walking in front of him and me guiding with the reins.
Saturday, 27 May 2006: It was back to work today for my boy. We've got a bit of a problem getting him to move - he's so accustomed to someone leading him from the ground that he doesn't really respond to me riding him - he stops a lot. This is 6 years of training that needs to be modified - he's slowly learning that he can be guided from above, not just from in front. So, Holly brought Max into the round pen to act as 'lead' - and it worked a bit better. Blue seems to need someone in front of him, sort of a guide and probably some moral support too. Anyway, we worked for a bit over a half-hour - his muscles are coming up but I'm still a pretty fair load for him, so I'm not going to press too much on the time factor. Tomorrow's another day, and there are going to be a lot of "another day"s in our future.
Sunday, 28 May 2006: For the first time, SUE rode Blue. It was just a few minutes as she really doesn't trust him all that much yet - but she rode.
Wednesday, 31 May 2006: Another first, things are definitely working out with our boy - he's learning to go when I signal him, to turn in each direction and he stops perfectly - - all on our own, no lead.
I'm loving this!
June 1-6: No activity. Vacation trip to NY.
Saturday, June 10 2006: I'm riding Blue just about every other day right now. He's still a bit uncomfortable with me on his back, sometimes he just doesn't want to move around. We're working on it.
June 11-16: No activity. Giving him a rest from work.
June 18 (Father's Day): Took Blue through his paces again today for about 30 minutes. Still having something of a hard time just getting him to move so Holly led him while riding Max. He seems to want that "security blanket" of following someone, but he goes just fine with a leader.
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| BLUE'S PAGES |
| BLUE'S PHOTO GALLERIES |
| Baby Pictures April 2000 |
28-29 October 2001 | 15 November 2001 |
| 1 January 2002 | 16 January 2002 | May 2003 |
| 26 August 2005 | 23 May 2006 Third Day of Riding Blue |
24 May 2006 Fourth Day of Riding Blue |