Mick and Pinta Learn Ponying and Ride to the River

This past week has been very successful for Mick and Pinta both. I'm working hard to help Pinta be completely calm and manageable while Mick is all over her rear end from either side. She's not exactly there yet, but she's getting there. And he is learning her rules ... lol. She does not want him forging ahead, he must keep his nose behind her ears or the tail starts swishing and if he doesn't notice that, she pins her ears and will bump him with a hip. It has been enjoyable watching them figure out their communication.

Both horses did great along the road ... Euchlid is fairly busy, but Pinta is awesome about traffic and we had a nice 10' shoulder for room. Ally rode just inside my flank on the field side. It was perfect for Mick ... he was calm and steady the whole way. We got down to Barker and there is a nice 30' shoulder about 6' higher in elevation than the road ... so this was even better! We had about 100' on Barker and then down into the access for the river on the North side. Our goal is to ride this route once a week until both horses are very, very calm. Then we're going to try to cross the river while it is low this time of year. I think it is only about 18" deep at the most. Both horses went right into the water, no problem. Mick wasn't even cautious, he wasn't in a hurry, but he wasn't worried either. Walked in calmly, drank a bit, and stood and watched the river flow.

Ally came out Wednesday to spend the day working with the horses last week and we successfully accomplished Mick's first ride. He's been worked daily, learning to be responsive and the very beginnings of Parelli communication. Wednesday the plan was for Ally to work Pinta and I would work and then ride Mick.

We're going slow --- happy with 3 or 4 circles that are responsive and without incident. He obviously knows his moves, just needs to figure out what language I'm using to ask for them ... lol. We finished our workout and then turned everyone loose together in the large pasture.

On Saturday I met Merri and the kids out at the barn and we took turns. After several days' experience, Mick was steady and responsive, so I suggested Christian ride while Ally was riding Pinta. He was thrilled and had a good time.

I am very happy with his progress. On days when I am at the barn by myself I have been working he and Pinta together off-lead. Walk, trot and canter circles, turning toward me, backing away, and ignoring one another to do as I ask. Yesterday I asked Pinta to stand still (loose) while I had Mick do circles around her both directions at trot and canter. They both did great and I was very happy! This is the first time I've asked her to stand and wait in the middle of the paddock while other things were happening.