The wonderer returns - Day 145
Apologies for being MIA of late, have you missed us?
Haha we have missed you and updating you all with our goings on so I am going to do I brief catch up now before I share some amazing news in my next post.
We have been taking things slowly with B and working on our bond with him. By doing this we have been choosing which advice we listen to and avoiding any negative and toxic comments/opinions some people may have.
I feel B has really improved on the ground.
Remember when we couldn't even pick his feet up and he wouldn't let us groom him without pawing at the ground? You can read about that here: Question Time - Day 23
Well now he is a diamond and I feel like he knows we are helping him as much as he is helping us by making it easier for us by standing better and not biting us.
One time B bit be so badly I almost lost my thumb but it was entirely my fault. Mixing his feed with my hand and then petting him was not a great idea. It has healed nicely now but meant I couldn't write or do menial tasks very well for a while.
J is spending un-taxing time with B grooming and sitting and talking to him. He is even playing ponies with the pony.
Isn't it precious?
We have come so far with him in that respect not only in picking his feet up but we, both J and I, have been able to clip him which you may have seen here and more recently we washed him for the very first time since bringing him home. B is not a fan of water especially the hose but the more we enjoyed splashing around in it the more B settled and seemed to enjoy it. Perhaps not enjoy it as such maybe just tolerate it more.
Since I have established B isn't naughty or malicious he just isn't as well schooled as we had been led to believe prior to purchasing him, I have encouraged J to focus on riding B out in the woods to continue that bond which has been growing stronger and stronger each day.
It's beautiful.
While J rides B more out in the woods and on hacks we have been working on his transitions and directions to ensure he is listening to J and J is giving clear, concise instructions. Meanwhile we are still having him schooled twice a week which I cannot afford to do forever! Without going into too much detail just now I have almost been at breaking point of late (financially and sustainably).
B is still trying it with outing his head down as you can see in this video but J is getting stronger and squeezing him on and by the sounds of it having a great time. He calls "whee" every time he trots off. The other day he even cantered without hands for the first time showing how much his core strength is improving and then he had a little gallop. He held on tightly for that I can assure you!
J has been working very closely with a friend at the yard which has boosted both of their confidence and belief in each other as riders. Together they muck out, groom, take care and ride their ponies and have formed their own little club - with rules and everything.
To help improve B in the school we are now trialling the two of them riding together, taking it in turns for each pony to lead. What's that saying? Follow by example? or Do I do not as I say? Well whatever it is I am hoping this will continue to improve B's manners in the ménage as J is really hoping to take him out for their first competition together.
I am learning so much about show jumping and the like. I know that I will probably have to do lead rein with B and J at first or if they can fly solo so to speak then they will be trying cross poles which are the lowest you can jump but which will be great experience for them both.
So if you have any advice on where to start with preparing for that I would really appreciate it. Please leave your comments below or get in touch with me on Twitter
Until next time, take care.
KJB
xxx
Haha we have missed you and updating you all with our goings on so I am going to do I brief catch up now before I share some amazing news in my next post.
We have been taking things slowly with B and working on our bond with him. By doing this we have been choosing which advice we listen to and avoiding any negative and toxic comments/opinions some people may have.
I feel B has really improved on the ground.
Remember when we couldn't even pick his feet up and he wouldn't let us groom him without pawing at the ground? You can read about that here: Question Time - Day 23
Well now he is a diamond and I feel like he knows we are helping him as much as he is helping us by making it easier for us by standing better and not biting us.
One time B bit be so badly I almost lost my thumb but it was entirely my fault. Mixing his feed with my hand and then petting him was not a great idea. It has healed nicely now but meant I couldn't write or do menial tasks very well for a while.
Isn't it precious?
We have come so far with him in that respect not only in picking his feet up but we, both J and I, have been able to clip him which you may have seen here and more recently we washed him for the very first time since bringing him home. B is not a fan of water especially the hose but the more we enjoyed splashing around in it the more B settled and seemed to enjoy it. Perhaps not enjoy it as such maybe just tolerate it more.
Since I have established B isn't naughty or malicious he just isn't as well schooled as we had been led to believe prior to purchasing him, I have encouraged J to focus on riding B out in the woods to continue that bond which has been growing stronger and stronger each day.
It's beautiful.
While J rides B more out in the woods and on hacks we have been working on his transitions and directions to ensure he is listening to J and J is giving clear, concise instructions. Meanwhile we are still having him schooled twice a week which I cannot afford to do forever! Without going into too much detail just now I have almost been at breaking point of late (financially and sustainably).
B is still trying it with outing his head down as you can see in this video but J is getting stronger and squeezing him on and by the sounds of it having a great time. He calls "whee" every time he trots off. The other day he even cantered without hands for the first time showing how much his core strength is improving and then he had a little gallop. He held on tightly for that I can assure you!
J has been working very closely with a friend at the yard which has boosted both of their confidence and belief in each other as riders. Together they muck out, groom, take care and ride their ponies and have formed their own little club - with rules and everything.
To help improve B in the school we are now trialling the two of them riding together, taking it in turns for each pony to lead. What's that saying? Follow by example? or Do I do not as I say? Well whatever it is I am hoping this will continue to improve B's manners in the ménage as J is really hoping to take him out for their first competition together.
I am learning so much about show jumping and the like. I know that I will probably have to do lead rein with B and J at first or if they can fly solo so to speak then they will be trying cross poles which are the lowest you can jump but which will be great experience for them both.
So if you have any advice on where to start with preparing for that I would really appreciate it. Please leave your comments below or get in touch with me on Twitter
Until next time, take care.
KJB
xxx
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