New Stuff!

When I was younger and stupider, my methods for starting a horse under saddle were a bit... well... unfocussed.  I'd take the time to get the horses use to wearing and lunging with a saddle and bridle.  Then I'd slowly climb up and hope for the best.  For the most part, this worked just fine, but now as I'm getting older and my sense of self preservation is getting stronger, I've started taking a different approach. I like to get the horse knowing as much as possible from the ground so that when the time comes for me to get on, the only new thing they need to learn is how to carry my weight.

 One of my primary goals for Helix this winter is to get him ground driving and long lining so that we have some semblance of breaks and steering this spring when it's time to start him under saddle.  The equipment needed for this task includes a training surcingle, a bridle, and some drive lines.  While I had a training surcingle, it was old, worn, and slightly falling apart. Also, Helix was in need of a cob sized bridle to fit his dainty little head. And my rabbit, Pi, needed a box for his latest art project, so I was left with no choice but to do some online shopping.

So off to Smartpak I went and ordered all that I would need. Helix's brand spankin' new training surcingle arrived in the mail on Monday along with Pi's box.  Pi has already made great headway on his art project which he is calling "box - deconstructed."  

The bridle is on back order, but that's ok.  There is plenty to do before I actually put all the pieces together.

This morning I introduced Helix to his new training equipment during his work session.  He was a very good boy lunging with his saddle pad and surcingle...

...and even tolerated me standing behind him and touching his legs with the line with next to no fuss.

Really the only thing he objected to was staying out on the lunge line while I attempted to use my camera.  He just couldn't control his curiosity, resulting in many pictures like this.

Oh well. At least he has a cute face!  More to come after the bridle arrives!!!