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!