You will be happy to know that we have a plan! I will not be willy-nilly, flying by the seat of my pants, starting my first horse under saddle. (Whew!) Gail Bloxham has come to the rescue again! She proposed the most exciting idea to me: We ask Brent Graef to help us get him started. Remember Brent from my "Day 16" post? He is the one who halter trained a filly in a demonstration last year, and got me inspired to get moving with Skip. I really admired his compassionate touch with the horses. This year, I have signed up to take his clinic in October with my other horse, Dixie, and he has agreed to work with Skip and I for about an hour after each day of the clinic! Of course, I will be paying for his time, but I am sure it will be worth every second. On top of that, Gail wants to work with Skip and I once a week until the clinic in October to make sure we are prepared for the next step.
I cheated today and put the bareback pad on Skip. I knew he wouldn't have any worries about it because he is so used to wearing blankets, and I have been getting him used to the feel of a girth by simulating one with my lead rope. As expected, he never even gave it a second glance. I made sure to introduce the pad and girth just like I do everything he hasn't experienced before, but even flapping it around over is head didn't phase him. I tightened and loosened the girth several times, and besides ask me for a cookie once, he didn't even turn his head. We went for a walk and played our 7 Parelli games with the pad on, and he acted like a very grown up boy. I haven't done more than just lay over his back, and he still doesn't mind that in the least. Gail told me to wait for her before moving on, so I will follow her advise. Thank you Gail!
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| He is Kaia's best friend |
~Jackie
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