Bridle on, check! Roller on, check!

Having been turned out over winter and pretty much not had anything done to him, I decided it was time he stopped being on welfare and started to get a job.

So..yesterday was a refresher of tying up and grooming. Today we put the roller on, and then led him out into the round pen. I didn't do it up too tight at first as I thought he might object...no...he didn't give a damn. So then I did it up tight, and again, no reaction! We walked around and he just doesnt mind at all.

So then I figured I may as well try the bridle on for size. Well he has a big head for a little pony! He fits Lucy's bridle and bit just fine lol.

So here he is, first time ever with a bridle and roller on, and I swear you'd think he'd had one on before! And yes I let the rope lay on the ground while I took photos. He ground ties and doesn't move at all, so I have no issue with doing it with him!

And no, he's not gelded yet ;-)

Cover time

Harry's first time with a cover on. I didnt leave it on as it was a bit small for him.

And I have NO idea who Magic is or was!

Can anyone help with guessing Harry's age?

Im keen to know what anyone things about Harry's age. These are the best teeth pics I can get... I am guessing he is around 5yrs old?
Feel free to email me or leave a message in the comments section!
Thanks!

Harry ties up

This morning Harry had the saddle pad on again, and the roller with girth attached. I didnt' do the girth up, but did swing it all over him. Previously he's freaked out about anything falling to the floor off him, but now he's an old hand at it and just stands there.

Then I decided to see if he would tie up. I looped the long rope through a piece of twine, and hung on to it. When he pulled back I kept the pressure up and he soon realised that if he stepped forwards it released the pressure immediately. Two goes, and he's a legend to tie up!

I had to dash back to the house to get my camera, and he stood there quietly tied up while I went. Not ideal in safety terms, but I was confident he was very relaxed and happy. It was all done inside the large stable, and Im sure it will be different when he's outside loose, but hey, first things first!

Very proud of Mr Harrison!

Holiday is over Harry!

So...today after having such a great morning with Byron, I decided to bring Harry in and do the same. He must be learning by osmosis, as ive not touched him in months (as usual!) and wow, he was a different pony today. I was able to get him in the stable and walk straight up to him and put the halter on. Normally it takes a bit of patience and slow movement, but today he was almost like a real horse lol!

I even was able to give him a bit of a haircut, we pulled his tail out and gave it the chop. I think I got about 4" off the bottom, as it was dragging on the ground. its still too long, but at least he won't trip over it now.

I put a saddle pad on him and then put the roller (sans girth) on the top. The only time IVe ever had anything on his back before was when I put my jumper on him and he freaked out completely lol. So today was quite a surprise for me to find that he was very cruisey about it all.

He better stay that way, cause I want to be on him soon!

Zzzzzz.....

Sleepy time....Harry and his little friend Hummer taking in the early morning sun! Too cute.

Back to school harry!

After having a few months of doing nothing.....pretty much what he's done all his life...Harry was brought back down to reality yesterday with a resounding thud.

Time for action!

We recapped all that was done back in Feb...halter on, turning and leading inside the stable..then ventured outside and leading etc.

All with his little ginga shadow beside him....

The little ginga is a new foal from the 2008 Kaimanawa muster. He belongs to a friend...his blog is http://www.kaimanawahummer.blogspot.com/

Harry ventures outside and learns to lead

Ive only handled harry in the confines of the stable so far, and today we ventured outside. Hes leading in a circle..but never in a straight line for more than a few steps due to the size of the stable.

I opened the stable door, and out we went. It took a while but we managed to travel about 20m and then turn around and come back. The return trip was much faster! He was great and though he walked like a drunk at least he walked on the lead.

Thought he might freak out being *attached* to me out in the paddock, but not at all. He wasn't worried at all, in fact it was no different to being IN the stable.

Im away now for a week so no handling again till next week. Hopefully my chief photographer will be back then too.

Harry meets Yellow

Yellow came home today for a few weeks before he heads south to Wellington. Harry wasn't that interested in him but Yellow decided to make friends anyway. Then promptly proceeded to take a piece out of poor Harry.

That boy needs to grow some balls and bite back...oh thats right, he does have balls...

Free Turning, no lead

Now I know all you folks out there who do your natural horsemanship/parelli/monty roberts/insert other brand name etc... will have a name for this..but anyway, I don't know what it is other than to say my horse has all eyes on me and it was great.

I was able to unclip the lead, and have him follow me round in a circle - kind of a turn on the forehand - in each direction. He then stood quietly at the end while I unclipped him and then he was free to go back out into the paddock and have some hay.

There ends today's lessons! A lot crammed into a 20minute slot! But he was SO good and just took everything in his stride. Go the German Riding Pony Stallion lol!

360 degree turns

Now I decided to turn him a full circle on each rein, without any pressure on the lead. He was so intent on what I was doing, he kept his entire focus on me the entire time. He happily turned around with me and we did two full circles on each rein with no pressure.

Photos

Ok...lots of photos to come, so will try not to write too much dribble and let the pics show what happens. He got a fright from something outside the stable and shot off, but again I caught his head fast and made him turn into me so as not to have myself in his line of fire. He immediately turned and faced me and stood quietly. Then I pulled a little on the lead to edge him forward, and step by step we walked across the stable to the other side. He got a handful of feed as a reward for being a good boy ;-)

Sweetly Leading

By keeping his feet moving, he's learning what leading is about. The easiest way Ive found (and admittidly I read it in the Andrew McLean book!!) is to turn him to get his front feet moving. Then release all the pressure and he knows he's done good. We built up on this and he was wicked! Such a bright pony. We do a few steps forward....as pics show. First he moves only the front legs and he ends up stood out like a Tennessee Walking Horse or something! Then he moves the back feet - yay!

Not so bad...

Ok, so its not so bad after all. He was happy to stand and have me lift the jumper up and down a bit and wasn't worried about it (I used the lunge whip to lift it up and down). Then it was time for the jumper to come off...it kinda slipped out of my grasp and fell to the floor. Well that was it for Harry and he jumped on it to kill it first, then shot to the other side of the stable.

One dead jumper. He does this to our sheep also..and my dog... I wonder if he'd do it to small children...?

GET THAT OFF ME!!!

Hmm...I think he's making his displeasure obvious...however the number one rule that he MUST learn is that he is NEVER to have his hind end towards me. He can react....but I pull his head round quickly to ensure that Im not in his line of fire...classic pics here...will keep the photographer on..even if he does only have one arm at present.

Putting on a jersey!

Decided to put a jersey on harry. Lets see if he likes Blue. He was NOT impressed by this strange smelling thing being put up to his nose. Probably didn't help that I pulled it out of my truck where its probably been for 6 months....

Then it all went pearshaped when he decided that was enough lol!!! Thankfully he didn't go far!

Uh oh

Harry looking most unimpressed as I wind his forelock into a rosette...doesn't he look like a show pony!

Not bad for a German Riding Pony Stallion lol!

Day Four!

Firstly, yes, I did get up and get dressed this morning without thinking that I would be publishing my fashion ensemble to the www. If I didn't have such a successful morning with Harry then I'd just pretend today didn't happen. I mean really, the lime green, the tight gym pants (no, I don't ever venture in a gym) and well...Im going to try to photoshop out my feet so you cant see the hairy pink socks and shoes.

Anyway....So today Harry is handled in the large stable..its twice the size of the one he's been in previously which I figure gives me more room to lead him. But also more room for him to bail out on me...

I also used a new blue lunge line which he was sure was a snake out to get him. He was not impressed, but soon let me put it over his neck and then click it on to the halter. He is very happy to eat feed out of my hands now and nearly mugs me for it. Is still very wary but keen to snuffle for food. Like all good ponies I guess!