Domesticating the wild stallion...

Another outing....

2009-10-29T21:25:00.000-07:00

Harry went for a hack in the forest on Monday, along with a friends mare. We came to a gate that was locked, and the only way round was via a ledge that was 12" across, and with a huge water filled ditch on it. My friend and her mare had to ride all the way back, but Harry being Harry just put his head down and very slowly and carefully walked around the ledge. He is part mountain goat of course!

On Thursday we went to Woodhill Sands again. They were holding a twilight SJ night, so I took harry for another outing. I had Kellie come along to ride him. Kellie lost her nerve a couple of years ago and is very very nervous about riding and certainly about jumping. She had a great time on Harry, and together they made a great pair, even trotting over the X a few times!

Steph was there on her flash horse, so she jumped on Harry afterwards to see if she could manage a canter on him...she got about 3 or 4 strides before he decided it was FAR too much hard work....

Not sure who is more exhausted...Steph or Harry...

This photo below shows the scar on his neck (just above the rein). This is a war wound that he obtained during his time in the wild. When I first got him, it was huge, and enlarged - about 4" diam and at least an inch high off his neck in places. Over time it has reduced, and now it is flat and just scarred on the skin.

The "before" pics...straight from the wild...

2009-10-25T01:50:00.000-07:00

These pics are of Harry and the foals that were rounded up at the same time as him. Pics taken 48 hours after they were rounded up.

Harry on the far right:

First time out...

2009-10-24T21:37:00.001-07:00

Today Harry went for his first ride in the truck since he was rounded up from the ranges in 2007. He loaded and travelled like a pro, and came off the other end very relaxed and happy.
We went to Woodhill Sands as there was a low key show hunter day on.

I had a friend ride him so that I could lead him and manage him on the ground in case he was worried about being out and about. I needn't have worried about him though, he was happy as larry and didnt care at all about the other horses.

Anyway, Harry was a star, and even jumped the practice fence a few times. Go Harrison!

Riding time

2009-08-02T03:03:00.000-07:00

Time for Harry to come back into work after many months off. Of course he was a piece of cake...still not keen on anyone but me catching him but at least he allows Steph to ride him now.

So....his "S"uperman tags arrived in the post this weekend, and soon he will be ready to make his debut! Cant wait to see the little guy out and about.
Plan is to geld him in the spring, of course plans can always change ;-)

Harry the ridden pony

2009-02-07T16:46:00.000-08:00

Finally, Harry is ridden!

2009-02-03T23:36:00.000-08:00

In the space of a week, harry has been dragged back into domestic life! We had Warrick McLean out from Australia and I was extremely fortunate that he was able to come here and do some more groundwork and then he sat on him in the stable.

YAY!

The next day I decided that if he can do it, so can I...and so I got on him and it was great just to finally be sitting on my boy!

And he is measured at 14.2hh. I guessed him at 14hh..will remeasure him when we trim his feet!

Then we took him into the roundpen where Leanne had a proper ride ;-) So exciting!

Bridle on, check! Roller on, check!

2008-11-14T16:34:00.000-08:00

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

2008-09-07T01:39:00.001-07:00

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?

2008-09-04T02:24:00.001-07:00

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

2008-09-02T18:45:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-09-01T17:33:00.000-07:00

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.....

2008-06-03T02:51:00.003-07:00

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

Back to school harry!

2008-06-03T02:21:00.000-07:00

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

2008-02-26T12:56:00.001-08:00

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

2008-02-09T22:31:00.001-08:00

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

2008-02-03T17:53:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-03T17:37:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-03T17:27:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-03T17:17:00.000-08:00

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...

2008-02-03T15:35:00.000-08:00

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!!!

2008-02-03T15:28:00.000-08:00

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!

2008-02-03T15:14:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-03T15:09:00.000-08:00

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!

2008-02-03T14:13:00.000-08:00

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!

Continued...

2008-01-30T13:59:00.000-08:00

Ok so that post was getting a bit long so thought I'd add another in...

And because no photos are so boring...here are some random ones that I just found. This was Harry in winter (about 6 months ago) meeting his first rugged pony lol. He was very wary at firsts, and tried to get back into his stable!!! Then he decided the pony was ok..and they became best buddies. Its only looking at these photos that I now realise how poorly he looked when he first got here! He's fat and shiny now, and I want him broken in fast so I can start riding him to keep him from getting obese! lol.

Right..back to work....

After a quick snack stop..we had a scratch up round the ears..then down the neck! Yes, we stroked him right down the near side of his neck and over his scar (war wound). It feels quite knarly but not as hard as what I thought it would. He quite likes being scratched on the crest of his neck, and cant' decide if he should rub me or be scared of me. He decides to be a bit of both.

After another treat...we get back to this leading business. We have the idea of yielding to pressure sorted, so now its time to try a few forward steps. Ummm...how easy can this be. I put pressure on, he steps forward, I release. Just like that. No drama, just does it.

Did someone come in the night and break into my barn and train my pony?

So we try again, this time I get 4 forward steps and we walk half way across the stable. Hmm. This is all too easy. Now what? Ive only been there 10mins, and we've achieved both the things I set out to achieve lol!!!

Meanwhile my wayward husband is nowhere to be seen. Can't get good photograhers these days! Says he's off at the gym...but he only came out of hospital a week ago so I'd like to be a fly on the wall at the gym!!!

Anyway, I did a few more forward steps, a few more sideways, some neck rubbing, and then unclipped him and left him in the stable while I made up a tiny dinner for him - just a few handfuls of chaff.

He enthusiastically followed me out of the stable and into the paddock to have his breakfast, and he will have lesson two tomorrow. Hopefully Mr Photographer will be there to capture the moments! Once I have him leading happily around inside the stable, I'll venture out into the roundpen and do it out there.

Thurs 30 Jan...harry leads!

2008-01-30T13:49:00.000-08:00

So..harry has not had a finger on him since the day I put the halter on. What with the clinic, then doing my mare, and working lots in my day job...and then my husband having an accident (damn mountainbike bucked him off!)...Harry has been left to his own devices.

Until this morning!

I brought him into the stable yesterday and he spent the night inside away from his mate. To keep his mind on me not Jazzy.

I was greeted this morning with a loud neigh when he saw me, and his expectant eyes waited for hay. Not likely! Work before breakfast my friend!

I went into the stable, leaving the door ajar in case i needed to make a quick exit (unlikely, but you never know right!). I stood quietly talking to him, and slowly was able to inch up to him and attach the lunge line to the clip on his halter. Took less than 5 mins of slow quiet work. He did get a fright immediately following me clipping it on, and spun round very quickly but my reactions thankfully were just as quick and I was able to catch him and turn his head towards me before his butt hit my line of fire!

He very quickly smelt some grain in my pocket, and was just about in my face like a *real* pony lol, stretching out and sniffing out for treats. Now this is a first!!!

At the end of our last session he took one handful of nuts, but that was it. Now he's actively seeking it out. Don't want to teach him to nip or anything, but its handy for rewards right now.

Ok..enough chit chat. So I decided that today I had two aims. One is to teach him the beginnings of leading/yielding to pressure on the halter. The other was to touch him on the neck (so far on lhy his face has been a comfort zone).

So I figure that common sense says that if I turn his head his feet will follow, and then he knows what I want. Voila. Accomplished first try. Ok, so we go back the other way, voila, does it again. He is very happy to yield to me turning his head and his feet follow. Im quick to praise him when he moves and the second his front feet move, I release the pressure on the lead and he knows he's done good.

After 2-3 mins of this, I decide to stop for a break and give him treats. He decides this is all good, and lets me scratch up between his ears and play with his forelock. I wind it into a bun and imagine him all plaited up lol. I think he will look quite smart..maybe I'll tell everyone he's my new German Riding Pony stallion..freshly imported....

Im back!!!

2008-01-30T13:48:00.000-08:00

Right...so last night I created another blog about my OTTB mare who is learning to become a sporthorse! Its linked to this one somehow, Im sure those out there who are more internet savvy than me can work out how to find it lol!!

Further updates to come this week!

2008-01-07T11:09:00.000-08:00

Sorry all, no updates since last week as Ive been busy with organising a cinic with Vaughan Jefferis. Had a ball, and my young horse rocks. Thankfully I didn't end up doing what Leanne, another of the riders did...here is photographic evidence poor girl lol! Hopefully Harry will be doing one of these clinics this year - and of course photos will be posted! This week we will teach Harry about leading and having me approach him and touch him all over.

It's DONE!

2008-01-03T02:00:00.000-08:00

The lunge line has been slipped off....and the halter is on. He is officially haltered! Yay.

Now to give him some feed from the hand - he's never eaten out of the hand before other than to grab handfuls of hay or grass. He didn't quite know how to eat (and was very wary) but eventually got the hang of it. He does need to learn how to eat the nuts and not my hands though..he kept grabbing my fingers.

So....well I never thought that I'd have this on in 10mins on day two. Wow. Im absolutely amazed. It definitely was made a LOT easier by all the work that Chris did in the roundpen in October. Im sure that made him a lot more receptive to people.

Now.....we've got a clinic with Vaughn Jefferis tomorrow and Saturday so Harry will possibly not get any work till Sunday now. Leading will be the next lessonI presume, and then from there its onwards and upwards to getting him handled, broken in, and out and about!

There is light at the end of the tunnel, and its NOT a train!

Halter is ON

2008-01-03T01:58:00.001-08:00

How exciting! Finally the halter is on....barely 10 minutes into today's school session. Im rapt.

But that presents a new problem...hmm..how do I get the lungeline off from round his neck.... Will have to thread it back. That could be fun...

Noseband!

2008-01-03T01:52:00.001-08:00

Doing up the noseband!!!

Doing up the halter!

2008-01-03T01:42:00.000-08:00

Doing up the halter! Slowly slowly slowly!!! Silently Im freaking out inside lol...hoping he doesn't freak and spin..but no, he stood rock solid while I did it up.

I did leave the lunge line hanging - not really recommended!!! But he didn't seem to mind, and I didnt have a spare hand with which to hold it.

I kept it on him in case he swung away from me - don't need his butt heading in my direction at this point in time!

Halter up the face...

2008-01-03T01:34:00.001-08:00

Wow.....halter up the side of the cheek and he is comfortable for me to have the headstrap up behind his ears!!!! We're getting somewhere!

Day Two Continues...

2008-01-03T01:31:00.000-08:00

Ok...so now I introduce the halter again. This time up to his face and rub it all over his nose etc. He also was happy to allow me to rub my hands over him - thats a first as normally he wanted only the lunge whip to rub him.

Not any more! He's decided in the past 24 hours that Im ok..and will let me run the halter up his head.

Day Two Begins!

2008-01-03T01:27:00.000-08:00

So.... major breakthroughs..... I was able to loop the lunge line around Harry's nose today using my hands - yesterday he would allow it only if i used the lunge line to kind of hook it over his nose - ie keeping my hands well away.

Today he was very happy for me to just loop it round like a halter. The whole time he stood still but a little on edge. Didnt freak out or anything, just flicked his ears around.

PROGRESS!

Scratching head

2008-01-01T15:36:00.000-08:00

Forgot to put this photo in...and now can't work out how to add it in the middle..so here it is...out of order....

The End.....for now...

2008-01-01T15:14:00.000-08:00

All over and waiting for a small feed.

Notice the big lumpy scar on his neck. Hate to think what it looked like when it first happened.

Removing the restraints...

2008-01-01T15:11:00.000-08:00

School is over for today....removing the rope from round his neck. He's glad to get rid of it and happily drops his head down to get it off!

Huh? Cows

2008-01-01T14:53:00.001-08:00

Clearly my husband felt the cows next door were more interesting to take photos of than Harry...

My favourite photo

2008-01-01T14:47:00.000-08:00

I bought this halter 6 months ago, and this is the first time its come into contact with Harry lol.

Love this photo. He was NOT impressed about the weird blue thing, and gave it a good sniffing and then chucked his head up and backed into the corner. Sorry buddy, that ain't good enough. Kept up with showing it to him and eventually he stood still and let me rub it up his face.

Still can't believe Im this close to him in the stable and he's not trying to leave town. Quite the contrary, he's totally relaxed about it all as long as I stay calm and don't react to his frights.

First touch

2008-01-01T14:43:00.000-08:00

So he is comfy having a scratch from the lunge whip...so I keep doing this all over his face and quietly slip my hand up too. At first he freaked out and ran backwards snorting like a fire breathing dragon. Thankfully I was brave and stood quietly and didn't bail up out over the top of the wall like I felt like doing!!!

Then he was kind of happy to have me touch his nose but not too much.

Please notice the blue halter hanging optimistically on the right....

Rope around neck

2008-01-01T14:37:00.000-08:00

Ok so after about 5 mins he worked out that if he dropped his head suddenly and gave a flick with his nose, he could free that loop from over his face and do whatever he likes.

Smart sucker.

So..next I get a lunge line and make a loop, careful that it can't turn into a slipknot and strangle him. He was a bit wary at first with the new item, but soon accepted it and let me slip it over his head. I used the lunge whip to hang it from (as Ive seen other people do) and then was able to slip it over his head pretty easily.

Missing husband was phoned (yes I had to ring him from my cell to say get your butt down here now and take photos...STILL in bed). He soon turned up and proceeded to be chief photographer for the rest of school.

FIRST STEP!

2008-01-01T14:30:00.000-08:00

So with my makeshift halter made from the lunge whip...I put pressure on it and Harry immediately stepped towards me. WAHOOOOO!!!! He never even hesitated or resisted, just immediately stepped. The minute he did that I released the pressure. And he wasn't phased by the fact that Im trying to take a photo at the same time..and the flash is going off....

Now is the time I leave him and go in search of my missing husband. He was supposed to be chief photographer but has yet to surface.

He's still in bed. Nice for some.

Friends watching on...

2008-01-01T14:27:00.001-08:00

Nothing like bomb-proofing a pony by having 5 of these suckers dive bombing at any given moment.

Harry's friends decided to watch the days events unfold.

Lesson one - makeshift halter

2008-01-01T14:19:00.000-08:00

First thing to do was to drape the lunge whip all over him. He's had this done before briefly, and was never concerned about it so I figured I would start with the familiar.

He was not worried about it going all over his body, legs, head etc. Then I made a kind of halter with it over his nose. I pulled on it gently and he stepped towards me. The minute he moved towards me, I released and praised him. Don't think he really gives a damn about me talking to him, in fact I think he'd prefer it if Id just shut the heck up and give him some peace and quiet.

2008-01-01T14:13:00.001-08:00

Ok..so...day one. Brought Harry into the pony stable by having him follow me and his bucket of feed. He spent last night inside, and then this morning we had his first day of school. Im rapt with the progress, absolutely rapt...read on to find out more ;-)

Introducing Harry

2007-12-29T11:15:00.000-08:00

Harry is a 14hh Kaimanawa Colt, aged approx 4yrs old from what we can guesstimate. He was dropped off here in Auckland, NZ, late June 2007 along with 4 other babies from the muster. These wild/feral horses live in the central north island, and every year approx 100 are rounded up and new homes are found for them. Those that don't find homes (generally the older colts or injured/elderly ones) are sent to slaughter.

The day Harry and his friends were dropped off here, it was all a bit much for him and he promptly jumped out of the roundpen. No mean feat, given that its about a 5ft wall! He was quickly enticed back around through a neighbours paddock, by following another of my horses. Thank goodness for that. I was not here when this happened, so only found out about it after the fact. Apparantly he got his knees up so thats great to hear lol.

After two months all his buddies had gone off to their new homes. His buddies were all around 9-18months old at a guess. There were 3 fillies and one small colt. These 4 are all doing very well in their new homes and are well adjusted members of their respected families.

Harry was let out into a small paddock once his friends had left town, and he enjoyed this freedom after being in the stall/roundpen for 2 months. He soon learnt what electric fences are, and kept well away.

I soon found someone to come in daily to handle Harry. Chris from Galaxy Equine has had no prior experience with Kaimanawa's as such, but stands and breeds from his own pony stallions, and also has broken in many in the past.

Chris has the patience of a saint and spent over a month coming in daily to patiently work with Harry in the roundpen. He was able to get to the stage where Harry would stand and allow the lariat over his head and neck and around his nose. He doens't mind towels etc being put on his back, and will stand rock still while being touched (using a very long stick) all over his body and legs.

He won't allow a hand to touch him, but the stick is ok.

Unfortunately Chris went away for work, and so Harry has been left since then. This blog is going to cover the next few weeks of having Harry back on his own and in the pony stable to get him dependant on me and hopefully we can make some more progress.

I want to have him halter trained, and able to be gelded - number one priority! He isn't at all interested in mares, but no male on this property needs to have balls!!! My husband better watch out....

So...here we go...the blog of Harry ;-)