MiKael Meets Richard......Getting Started Part 3

Part 1

Richard gets finished up with my Arabian gelding, Tag's, first week under saddle and the man asks me when I'm bringing the other two geldings. That would be Louie and Percy. Richard has had his eye on Percy for 2 years trying to figure out a way to get his hands on this horse and now he's thrown Louie into the mix.

First off let me state, right about now is the time to think that Richard has really lost it. He not only has a barn full of horses to work but he's pretty much taken over mine and NOW he's asking me to bring even more. Knowing that I have 28 Arabian horse with at least a good dozen of them that should be broke, you'd think the man would be running for the hills. Instead I think that Richard is tickled to death with the prospect that represents. I'm pretty darn sure that Richard has this horse bug every bit as bad as I do.

So with an invitation like that how could I resist. The only problem was by adding these horses I'd have to bring a second load.........that's right, we're now up to two loads (6 horses) with my horse trailer. It's a good thing I don't live far.

So the next morning we started off with the original bunch. I think I brought Legs, Storm and Vee around 9:30. At this time Richard just had Jessica riding Vee around the arena pushing her forward. since everything with this Arabian horse was about reaching far underneath herself where she belongs with no focus on bridling. Jessica can handle that just fine......although Richard directs her the entire time.

This strategy with Vee is one of those things that Richard and I both whole heartedly agree on. There's nothing worse than giving up movement for headset. Every step with every horse has been with this for the bottom line. We want these horses to clearly understand that everything is about being well underneath themselves.

So Jessica worked Vee while Richard long lined Storm. Then I rode the horse. All this time we kept having this debate about what to do with this horse. Do we want him to go hunter or western next year? The $64,000 question and we're no closer to an answer.

The horse obviously has the talent to do both. Because he is 6 years old he would have to be in the full bridle (curb bit) to be shown western. Richard thinks the horse has the talent that he'll be ready in plenty of time....and so do I. But then we push him out at the trot and we both think that hunter would be cool. We're no closer to an answer than the day we first started. I guess that time will tell.

Another interesting thing about Storm............Angie is falling in love with him. Actually it kind of tickles me for a couple of reasons.

While Angie has been my friend and supported my open houses, I don't think she's really been sold on my breeding program. Now, with the horses schooling at her barn and Richard working with them she's getting to see a different side and Storm up close and personal, such a sweet, sweet horse.

The other reason is Angie didn't know this horse existed 2 years ago. She couldn't see past Reflection despite my efforts to point Storm out. Now she's convinced that Storm is amazing. When she gets home from work she immediately asks Richard how his schooling went. She even is following his journal notes on the horse. Angie is becoming obsessed with my red horse.

Storm is helping to win Angie over to what I've known all along. These Khemosabi/Bask bred horses are not only beautiful and talented but have the most amazing dispositions.

I remember during this time I was working on getting the horse square underneath me at the canter. He was just beginning to get to the point I'd get one or two strides that felt wonderful before he fell back out into that baby canter of his. It was exciting to feel that canter for even a little bit just to know that it was there and he was getting it so soon.

After Storm we moved onto Legs. At this time Richard was boxing Legs in the snaffle getting the horse square and much deeper underneath himself.
The horse was still a bit fast at the jog and the lope but it was definitely much improved from the slow progress I had been making.

I was beginning to think I might actually get to reclaim that horse I'd had about 3 years ago before the twins came along and everything went on hold. Somehow that horse had disappeared when I began schooling over at Boulder Knolls.

Who knew that uneven footing could cause so many problems with a horse. Now looking back between what happened with Legs and Vee, I'm really grateful I didn't try to get more horses started over there. I'd probably really have a big mess to fix.

To be continued...............

Part 4

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