Gunner is the perfect first colt for Megz. He's sweet, kind and willing. He can also get a glint in his eye and try her a little. The first time we cinched him up...nothing. The second time...he started out like it was all okie dokey...then he got that glint in his eye, sucked back, went to buck...and fell down. Oops! He jumped up, looked a little confused and then walked off. You could see him trying to sort it out. It reminded me of the Daffy Duck cartoon...Yep...that's about exactly how it went. Apparently Gunner thought he had it sorted out because I saw that glint come back into his eye and he sucked back and went to blow up again...Boom! Down he went. This time when he jumped up. He stood there looking at Meg. Guess he decided bucking was too much effort cause he hasn't tried again.
Much to Shooter's disgust, I haven't spent much time with him. A few longing sessions and some grooming, but mostly he has just been in the pasture since he got here. Now see...this does not suit Shooter...AT ALL! This is a horse that is pretty sure that the entire world revolves around him...and only him. Although Shooter is a 4y/o...and a pretty good sized one at that...I haven't felt particularly rushed to get him started under saddle. I get the distinct feeling that in Shooter's mind...he is already broke...he's just waiting for me to get around to climbing aboard.
Normally, I like to take things one step and one day at a time. With Shooter...I got absolutely no reaction from anything...sacking...not even a flinch. Lifting the saddle up and setting it on him...nada. Cinching...He turned around and watched me. He moved off like he had done this his whole life.
The only thing that bothered him in the least was the snaffle. He chewed and chomped and pinned his ears over that...
He'll get over it. They all do.Megan has been doing some ground work on Beretta for me-longing, sacking out and setting the saddle on her back. Beretta is far more flighty than the boys, but she has still been really good. I figured it was time to cinch her up. She walked around each direction nice and pretty as you please. In my head, I was debating stopping there or asking her for a little trot. Knowing Beretta's maternal line like I do...I knew at some point she was going to grab her ass and blow up. That's what that bunch does, but they get it out of their systems pretty quickly. So I decided to just get it out of the way. I clicked her up into a trot and sure enough...
Ka-Boooommmm!
She grabbed her butt and blew like a little stick of dynamite. No falling down or half hearted attempt for little sister...She gave it her all and looked pretty impressive for a few jumps. I keep my youngsters on a long line in the round pen just so that if they blow up, I have some control and I do try to get them to stop bucking. I don't like youngsters (or any horse) to blow up and just crash around the pen (Shooter wasn't when I took pictures of him, but he was when I was actually working with him). I just kept stopping Beretta and then asking her to move off again. Each time she grabbed her butt and blew up, I'd stop her and start again. It took a few times, but she finally made a few trotting strides without blowing, so I let her drop back to a walk and just walk around to cool out.
I wasn't surprised that Beretta blew up. She will probably do it again. She's way more reactive than the geldings are, which is one of the things I really like about her. She is going to be a catty, fun, little horse to ride...sans the bucking part of course. LOL
12 comments:
Good thing you know what to expect with your horses!
That cartoon was perfect...
Beretta looks pissed in that photo.
I almost prefer they get it out of the way in a hurry, if they are going to , then get at it. The ones that worry me are the ones , that don't seem to notice a thing you do, I spend a bit of time with those waiting for the "other shoe to drop"
Shirley-LOL-You noticed that too huh!?! She wasn't real thrilled but was over her temper tantrum and was mulling things over.
fern-ME TOO! Especially when you know they are the type to blow. B's maternal line have all really cut loose the first few times they were cinched up, but they get over it quick and that is the end of that.
I don't expect Shooter will ever do anything. His dam's line are just not buckers. But you pay for that for a long time afterward because they aren't exactly 'light and responsive' either.
Given a chance to pick...I'd take Beretta's type any day. ;-)
I've never seen a horse fall down while trying to buck- though I'm pretty sure if I saw a greenie do that I'd fall over laughing. You know, so long as they didn't have a condition or something.
Have you found that mares have a harder time accepting bits than the boys? My mare absolutely refuses to have a bit in her mouth.
I'm with Sherry on this one. Get after it, get it out of your system and keep your ass moving too! Better now than when I get on, and the quiet ones sometimes leave you hanging when the other shoe does finally drop. Good thing you know this line and what to expect from each.
Yup i was thinking the same thing as Sherry, at least then you know what they do when they react to something. I too agree I would rather have light and responsive than lazy and heavy anytime.
smazourek-I can't say that I have ever noticed that problem with mares. Maybe my ignorance is showing, but I have never had a horse that can't or won't learn how to carry a bit either. Just lucky maybe?
Shooter sounds so laid back about saddling. I think Chance is going to be like Shooter, easy!
Beretta is so stinkin' gorgeous! I love her!
Just thinking how beautiful the weather is (sans the wind) and how I need to start finishing off that colt of mine and get everyone in shape! You have motivated me even further!
I love this time of year!
Hey BEC I now have Loretta on your diet plan!! I just need to get some better pelleted feed, what i have is okay but they make one that is high in fiber/low in starch/sugars (for horses with metabolic issues) that I will get once I use up the pellets I have. I am just happy she is eating the stuff she kind of turned up her nose at first and I thought OH GREAT! Picky eater! Thanks again SO much for you advice!!! Looking forward to your colonic ulcer post!! ~Ranch Girl~
finally she learned.
I think the girls are always more sensitive than the boys, smarter too. Did you say that? LOL Mine, if they are going to buck, will do it at the lope and the mares don't like the pull of the saddle against their withers that comes with mounting.
Boy, how I wish I was doing this kind of stuff right now. I am soooo envious.
Post a Comment