We Welcome 'Georgie' To Epona's Pastures - 04.03.2010
This handsome young fellow was recently surrendered to us by a family who wanted to give him an opportunity to become someone's riding horse when he proved too slow for racing. Georgie is a very handsome 4yo STB who stands about 14.1h tall. He has thus far proven to be a very quiet and well natured young man who should make a fantastic riding horse. We will begin by doing some ground exercises with Georgie to get to know him a little better and further assess his tempermant. He has also been booked in for a doctors visit for a quick 'check over'. Updates to follow soon.
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Georgie's Doctors Appointment - 08.03.2010
Georgie's health check was one of the easier ones we have had and our Veterinarian, Dr, Tony Hanegraaf, was pleased to say that not only is he in good health but his teeth were fairly up to date and there was not much to file off. Georgie comes from a home where he was well looked after and even though he never had a very long time training in a cart, we spoiled him with a chiro session anyway.
Georgie's health check was one of the easier ones we have had and our Veterinarian, Dr, Tony Hanegraaf, was pleased to say that not only is he in good health but his teeth were fairly up to date and there was not much to file off. Georgie comes from a home where he was well looked after and even though he never had a very long time training in a cart, we spoiled him with a chiro session anyway.
Georgie's First Day Of Training - 15.03.2010
Last week Georgie began his education process with us and he has certainly come a long way in those days. Lynda began by proving to us all what a quiet tempermant he had while she swung the leadrope over his head ....
Last week Georgie began his education process with us and he has certainly come a long way in those days. Lynda began by proving to us all what a quiet tempermant he had while she swung the leadrope over his head ....
Later in the week we began Georgie's saddle exercises and Charlie started off with the 'Join up" game in the roundyard.
Then It was time to introduce the saddle...
But when Charlie goes to put weight in the stirrup, Georgie gets nervous and arches his back. Charlie has a 'no buck' policy, and to date, no horse has bucked during the saddling stage. Charlie does not try to get on the horse, instead he sends Georgie out on the circle to think about his options...... and soon Georgie is ready to come back in and try again.
Charlie knows that Georgie was only arching his back because he was frightened so he takes some extra time to accustome Georgie to the sounds and feel of the saddle while patting his side and back, swinging the stirrups and poking a toe into the side of Georgie while pretending to mount so that Georgie would understand that these things were not going to hurt him.
Charlie calls us over for a 'gear change', he tells us to go to the barn and get him a 'proper saddle'.....
We find Charlie's trusted western saddle which he places on Georgie, and this time when he puts weight in the stirrup, Georgie stands like an angel.
Charlie continues to do exercises with Georgie that afternoon, disengaging his forequarters and encouraging forward movement with weight on his back for the first time. Georgie doesn't put a foot wrong and as he becomes accustomed to having a rider on his back his confidence grows and Georgie strides out in a relaxed
Georgie Continues His Education - 23.03.2010
This lovely little man is coming along in leaps and bounds. Georgie completed his roundyard training with Seana, Lynda and Charlie a few weeks ago. He has since been out on three trail rides but we have unfortunately not remembered to bring the camera to date. Below is a few pictures from Georgie's last roundyard training.
This lovely little man is coming along in leaps and bounds. Georgie completed his roundyard training with Seana, Lynda and Charlie a few weeks ago. He has since been out on three trail rides but we have unfortunately not remembered to bring the camera to date. Below is a few pictures from Georgie's last roundyard training.
Seana who came up to assisst us for the day, introduces herself to Georgie in the roundyard.
Seana does a little groundwork with Georgie before she gets on to do some training under saddle.....
Seana does a little groundwork with Georgie before she gets on to do some training under saddle.....
Then it was Lynda's turn to do some work with Georgie and with Charlie's assistance Lynda takes Georgie out for his first ride outside the roundyard.
