Thursday, March 25, 2010

I Waffle

I have waffled back and forth for the last few years on whether I was really impressed with my buckskin gelding or not...

But after having put just a few rides on him this spring...

I think I can finally confirm that I really...really like this horse...
It only took 5 years. LOL

I started Frosty when he was a long 3y/o. Put about 10 rides on him his 4y/o year(that was the summer it was hotter than hades in SD-nothing got rode). About 20 rides on him his 5y/o year(Think I got busy with other horses). Maybe another 20 rides on him his 6y/o year(That's the year he cut his foot) and between Meg and I, we most likely got another 45-60 rides on him last year.

Now, most people would wonder why the heck I hadn't invested more time into him when he was younger?

Well....

Time flies! LOL

That and the fact that he has never really felt mentally mature. He just never really seemed to be able to retain much. So what I have is an...

Eight year old, kinda broke, but kinda green horse.

He has matured a lot this last year though. It's like his brain kicked in and he no longer looks perpetually dazed and confused. This could be Frosty's year.

His potential is really untapped. I think this year we are going to focus on 'show' stuff and maybe some reining. I've been patterning him on the barrels and will continue in that direction, although I highly doubt I will even bother exhibitioning him until this fall.

I know one thing though...riding this horse, compared to riding Moon...It's like stepping out of a Jeep into a Cadillac. Wow...Is he smooth...even as a fat boy.;-)

14 comments:

Maia said...

I only hope to be where you are. If you're riding this little guy you know his potential. Go for it If not this year then next. If you've got a winner then go for it. Your chearing section will be out there for you. I've got my fingers, toes and eyes crossed for you. You rock girl,go for it.

Mikey said...

Hey, better late than never! He sure is a good looking "kid". Glad you're getting to ride after all that winter!

Unknown said...

Maybe this summer will be as nice as last which means lots of riding.

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Some just take a little longer to "get there" he is a good looking fellow

Paige said...

That is the good thing about riding your own--no ones schedule matters but yours.

I bet he turns out nice

BrownEyed Cowgirl said...

Frosty was always one of my step-dad's favorites. If that man knew nothing else, he knew a good horse, so I have always had hope that Frosty would 'grow up' to be the horse my step-dad thought he would be.

His belly is already coming up-in just one week I have gained a notch on the back cinch. He'll be sleek and handsome in no time-Yayyy!

Paint Girl said...

Frosty sounds like a great horse! Some just take longer then others, and there isn't anything wrong with that!
My Paint is almost 11 and she is still not totally trained. But she's not a fancy show horse, so with the amount of training she has now works just fine for what we do with her.

City girl turned Country Girl said...

Now he is one big some'buck LOL!!! I think that is great news! I will be very interested to see his progress!!

Leah Fry said...

I like the looks of him. And some of us are just late bloomers :-)

Fantastyk Voyager said...

Those hindquarters are...huge! He's certainly a good looking horse. It sounds like he's coming along great even if you haven't done a whole lot with him so far. This could be his year!

Anonymous said...

Pshhhh....he's still a baby at 8. My horse is 17 and I've just now about got him broke :).

It's amazing how time flies. It always seems that when I have the time to ride, Beast is lame. When Beast is ready, I have no time.

Sounds like a pleasure to ride. Enjoy!

Danielle Michelle said...

I love his ass! lol
I'm the same way with my horses. I find even if I do have them broke in their 3rd and 4th year with a good number of hours on them, they really change a lot between their 5th and 7th years and hit their 'strides' per say in what they are best at.

I think what you did is doing it right - get them started and comfortable with a saddle and rider and let them grow - physically AND mentally. I think you have more of their attention then!

He looks great! Good luck!

Crystal said...

You have there whole lives, no need to get in a hurry. I got a mare I wasnt sure I liked the look of her till this spring, i like riding her, but I had her 6 years and now shes finally looking like a horse, so it takes time with some I think.

Rising Rainbow said...

I had to laugh because I have horses here with that same kind of intermittent training. I guess it doesn't matter as long as they come out the other end and for some reason I end up liking the horse even more because of the drawn out process we've been through together.

Ya gotta luv those Cadillacs. Will be watching for news on his progress.