Becoming a Horse

FIRST TIME WEARING A SADDLE!!! (Sorry - it's a cellphone picture)

Bullwinkle went to "big boy school" on Friday, July 8th. He is with the same trainer that has Millie (who is doing very well and walking and trotting the barrel pattern now)

I had made the decision to take Bullwinkle for 90 days of training. He will probably return next spring, but for now, just 90 days.

He loaded fine and hauled quietly. Because he's "My Baby", I had my own issue talking him. It was all mental on my part. I totally trust my trainer with every aspect. I almost turned back three times, thinking I was going to have a nervous breakdown. But I continued on and made it there.

Once at the trainer's, he had sensory over-load. LOTS of horses, all talking to him. Nothing familiar. There was a BIG scary tractor tire which is used for his hay trough. Within 30 minutes, he had figured it out and was over the big scary tire!

He got into an argument with the grey mare next to him and kicked the panel. When they kick the panels, if they hit it just right, it's like they hit their funny bone. Anyway, Bullwinkle packed one back leg. My thought was "Oh crap! Lame already!" But within 5 minutes he was walking around fine and back to arguing with the grey mare. My trainer tells me that by the next morning, it was true love for both of them, playing kissy-face and love scritching over the panels.

Tara gave him the weekend to settle in, then started him Monday morning. He spent some time high-lined in the round pen. I have never tied him, and while Mary (his first mom) had done a LOT with him, I don't remember if he was ever tied or not.

I pestered Tara most of the day Monday and told her when she saddled him, I needed a picture, that me and his gramma (Cathy) wanted updates! So Tara sent me the picture above - first time wearing a saddle!

A lot of people are like "Big deal" For me, it IS a big deal!! Others might start youngsters all the time, but I DON'T!

Tara tells me that he grabbed himself a little and bunny hopped, then looked around, sniffed the saddle, tasted the stirrup, then ignored it. He round penned relaxed and moving freely, willing to please!

She says that he is more mentally mature than Millie, quiet, nice-minded, and eager to please. And that he seeks out cuddles when he has tried and completed something new. Of course, who wouldn't want to cuddle with him??

Tara's challenge - getting on. He is BIG! 16 hands, easy! I am going to take a mounting block down, because he will need to be broke to a step or block so I can get on him. Mike has announced that HE will be riding Bullwinkle also, since his mare Jazzy is unsound due to an old pelvis injury. At this point, my response is always "NO", but in time, we'll see.

For now, I am so very excited about this kid. I'm sure I am driving Tara nuts with all my pestering!