March 25, 2013

Another snowy day.  No riding today. 

March 23, 2013

I found Simon, one shoe down.  Stink. 

March 22, 2013

I have had Cisco for a week and I only like him more and more.  He is such a sweet, kind, friendly pony.  He is happy to see me, and loves attention.  He is a pleasure to work around and stands nicely in the cross ties for me to brush and tack him up.  I have only been able to ride him a few times over the past week, but he has been level headed and enjoyable each time.  I am statisfied with his progress so far and he seems to enjoy working with me. 

He in turn seems to like his new home and to have settled in just fine.  I think he likes being my pony. 

I still need a name for him.  Last night I was hooking up the DVR and it is labeled “Cisco” on the front.  I just can’t do it. 

Here are a few pics from this week. 

March 17, 2013

Today Lindsey came to pick up Cooper.  We walked down to the barn together and all three ponies came running in.  I put Simon in first, and then took in Cisco.  Mean while Lindsey walked up to Cooper and slowly, but successfully caught him in under a minute.  WOO!

It started to rain lightly just before Lindsey arrived but we wanted to check out our new ponies under saddle together so we tacked up Cooper and Cisco, collectively checking the fit and making adjustments to our tack.  Then we headed down to the riding field.

Lindsey hopped on first, with me staying on the ground to take a few photos.  Cooper moves just like my elderly, but prized games pony, Osh Kosh.  Forward, head up, but not obsessively so, eager to work, ready to go.  He was fantastic for a pony that has been out of regular work and was being ridden in the rain.

I mounted up and we both rode around for a while.  Cisco was pleasing, and I was happy to note that he did not get worked up when riding next to Cooper, who was moving with purpose.

As the rain switched to sleet briefly, and then to snow, Lindsey hopped off and snapped off a few quick shots of me and Cisco, and then we hurried back up to the barn to get dried off.

We also took a few moments to measure each pony.  Simon and Cisco both came in at 13.2 1/2 and Cooper at 13h.

Then it was time to load Cooper up and send him on his way to his new home with Lindsey.  Bye Cooper!

March 15, 2013

Today I found all three ponies in the big field.  What makes this interesting is that I left Cooper in the barn yard paddock by himself.  But it appears that Simon ripped the opening clear and let Cooper out.  Cisco was also missing his halter.  I suspect this was also Simon’s doing.

Of course Simon came trotting up when he saw me.  And to say something for how far Cooper has come in the past week and a half, he followed Simon into the barn yard and nickered to me.  Cisco was not far behind but was being apprehensive of Simon.  He had a lot of slobber and a few light bite marks on him, so I suspect his apprehension was with reason.

Cooper let me put him into his paddock with no hassle.  I put Simon in the barn, and then I brought Cisco in and put him in the cross ties.  Such a sweet pony, he stood there patiently while I brushed and tacked him up.  When I lead him down to the riding field the other two boys stood watch from the barn yard.

Cisco was looky but polite.  I started off with a little lunge.  He went well to the left, a little less so to the right, and was a bit apprehensive of the whip, but all in all he was well mannered and willing.  Next I led him around the field and let him take some time to relax a bit.  Next it was mount up time.  I got on and we walked around in some circles of varying direction and size.  I incorporated a few dismounts and remounts, as well as halts and walk-ons, into our circles.  He was again, very attentive and willing.  On my final dismount I tried to step back to take a picture of him, but he immediately followed me.  So we moved this into a little follow-the-leader game.  The faster I walked the faster he walked, eager to catch back up with me.  I rewarded him with a lot of good-boys and rubs on the neck.

I really like Cisco’s quiet and kind personality.  I am looking forward to developing a bond with him, and teaching him to be a games pony from the start.  Hence all the mounting and dismounting.  I need to dig up a better bit for him.  The baucher was the only snaffle in his size I had handy yesterday.  I was happy to take note that he did not even notice the games equipment all over the field.  He was looky, but not spooked, by the chickens, the tractors, gun shots, the other ponies, squirrels and other wild and not so wild life to be seen, but not the crazy games equipment all over the place.