Begin Again

I finally got out to the barn on Thursday. The good news is Gambler definitely missed me; the bad news, his training has fallen back again.

This has been the story of Gambler's training. He was started under saddle walk, trot, canter about two years ago. Then he sat in the pasture and fell back to old habits. Then I got him and trained him until mid July when I rehabilitated his back. During that time, he apparently forgot his training. Then I stepped it up in August/September, only to have it all fall apart in October and November. Finally in December I settled on just getting the farrier issue resolved. It was going so well! Then the cold hit and I missed a couple weeks. Now I'm back in square one yet again.

The good thing is that every time it takes a little less effort to catch up. Training a young horse is like having a kid (Or so I think, I've never had a kid), there must be consistency! This is the one area that I have not been strong enough in. My goal for this spring, especially once it warms up, is to be consistent in the training, so that Gambler can finally overcome this area of his training. He's officially five now, he's ready for legitimate riding. I just have to find time and persistence to make the best of his potential. I can't wait to see what happens!

Watching as we walk up to the barn.

Licking and chewing

The Cold is Here

Isn't this amazing? I caught a glimpse of it from my bedroom window and had to take a picture.

It's starting to feel like winter around here. This morning it was only 16 degrees and there were snowflakes in the air. The snow hasn't accumulated on the ground yet (not since that first snow in October) but it shouldn't be too long. I've decided I don't mind the cold and snow. Freezing rain is much worse for horse-related activities.

I got to see Gambler today. It was late afternoon when we got to the barn. Today was the hunting opener (that's what it's called right?) and the horses were riled up. Gambler was scared of the gunshots, but whenever he started to freak out I asked him to lower his head. It's amazing how much it affects him. I knew that when a horse's head was down he was relaxed, but I didn't know that you could relax a horse by asking him to lower his head. 

Today I worked on lowering Gambler's head and leading him without letting him bite me. I asked him to walk forward and if he threw his head up I stopped and asked him to lower it again. If he tried to bite me I bumped his nose and made him rapidly back up for a couple steps. Repeat numerous times. After a while he got the idea. I also threw the saddle pad up on his back and off again and on again and off again several times. Repetition is key with this horse. Then Mom held him while I did more mounting prep. He was more antsy today, but that was because of the hunters.

It wasn't an incredibly productive day, but that's okay. Next time we will be more prepared for the cold. Plus, Thanksgiving vacation is coming up soon, which means more time to spend with Gambler. He is coming along well, but the lack of consistency is holding him back. I hope that a few good days in a row will be just what he needs. 

"Peek-a-boo! When are you gonna feed me?"