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Post by pboy on Apr 9, 2015 18:32:01 GMT
After all the 'love my mare' posts recently I thought I'd big-up my gelding   I had another lesson yesterday with the YO and I'm so pleased with him. We're still doing stretchy work to straighten out his kinks and get him seeking an even contact, and he's really swinging through in trot now. We were pushing for a bigger trot while stretching and he was able to keep the connection, whereas in my last lesson three weeks ago he'd tend to lose balance and go short / uneven behind. Canter is still weak but he did a surprisingly lovely transition into his difficult right canter. Ali, the YO, has worked him for me a few times both schooling and on the lunge, and she loves him (of course!). She said he's fab to work with on the lunge - he is - and you can really see how he moves, thinks and balances himself. She also adores his metronomic trot and work ethic! She pointed out that in canter he really wants to collect and take his weight behind but he's simply not strong enough, but even so he steps under well so his hind leg comes right through to under his girth. And then he's also ridiculously affectionate. His new favourite is nuzzling my ear while I blow kisses up his nose  Silly horse! Oh and then there's the fun hacking. He seems to get perkier and livelier the longer we're out for and he loves a good canter! He does have a very sharp spook mind you, though general straight forwards rather than spinning. And it's usually when I have my phone out to take a photo so I suspect he just likes me to pay attention We checked out the local point-to-point on Monday:  Anyone else want to big-up their gelding? |
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haffyfan
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Post by haffyfan on Apr 9, 2015 18:49:41 GMT
Lovely pic, seems he's taking his new lifestyle well and truly in his stride...can you get more British than visiting a point to point! Nice he's gaining a fan club too.
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Post by Blonde Donkey on Apr 9, 2015 18:50:40 GMT
He sounds likes he's settled into life in England really well. Such a sweetie!!
I will take any chance to big up my little man. Yesterday he had his feet done and was by far the best behaved of the hairy gang, the farrier even asked if I had sedated him. Nope just put a lot of effort in! I haven't done much with him since christmas but I've had a few days off recently and he's come on loads. I can even lead him to a mounting block, climb on it and lean on him. I've been swinging my arm over him like a leg would when he's being mounted and jumping on and off my mounting block. He's so chilled about it I think he might be ready to mount in a few weeks. EEEEKKK! Tomorrow he's meeting my workmates 5 year old for pony petting and grooming. He loves kiddies! Also a few nights back I was brave and sat on the floor next to his hay to see what he would do. He covered me in his hay and gave me lots of kisses. 6 months ago I couldn't have dreamed of doing that. Love him!!!!
My mare is also wonderful, she's settled into her retirement so well, it was totally the right decision for her. Love her too!!
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Post by pboy on Apr 9, 2015 19:19:44 GMT
HF - he's settled in amazingly well, far better than I expected:D. I think he's happy with such good food and so many people doting on him BD - your boy sounds fab too!! Clearly you're doing a fantastic job of the groundwork, big-up for you as well as him |
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Post by fleabitten on Apr 10, 2015 19:20:44 GMT
Lovely to read pboy - really glad youre enjoying him loads and hes settled in well!  |
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Post by racaille on Apr 11, 2015 6:32:29 GMT
He sounds so lovely and genuine Pboy! His canter will improve quickly now he is working regularly at it, Ol P has come on in leaps and bounds (literally, yesterday, the plonker  He was having a hissy fit because of the builders - it also took me half an hour to catch him, even WITH carrots) He he I shall have my revenge at the TREC tomorrow....... I was struck how iron grey Indio still is - it's great that you take pix of him, you can chart his progress as he lightens with time. I vaguely remember that when I bought Paco 11 years ago he was quite dappled and now he is snow white. He's a silly old beggar but I love him  |
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Post by brigadier on Apr 11, 2015 10:07:48 GMT
Lovely post and I dote on my geldings too, I love Basil with a passion (why he is still here......) and adore Toudle and I still get very very upset when I think of Frank (so must stop thinking about him)
Your man seems a lovely character. It really gets you when they show affection, you know you are 'their person'. Every time I walk on the yard I see the quiver in Basil's nostrils, no one else would notice it, but its there and he is saying hi and its totally not food related whereas most of the time with Harriet its 'oh Hi where's the grub?)
And your hacking looks amazing- very jealous. So glad you have found your yard and that your trainer seems very intuitive. Bet you are looking forward to a great summer?
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Post by pboy on Apr 11, 2015 17:19:43 GMT
Brig - I think he does it to everyone but I like to think that he recognises me as 'mum' now! He's always loved people and they've always loved him back, lucky horse Rac - he's changed a lot! Interestingly he's whitening a lot faster than some of his close relatives, but thankfully his summer coat is darker than his winter one. Here are some pics since we've had him, it's quite a difference! 3yo in 2010:  As a 4yo in 2011:  18 months later (Sept 2012):  In January with his winter coat:  Yesterday with my friend riding. Half his winter coat has gone now!  |
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Post by Blonde Donkey on Apr 11, 2015 18:59:13 GMT
What a difference. He is gorgeous!
Rupes does the nostril quiver too. Not for anyone else, just me. Love him. He has swapped his allegiance though, he likes my mum but I'm "his". Its lovely!
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haffyfan
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Post by haffyfan on Apr 11, 2015 19:31:46 GMT
Wow! What a difference, i thought that top pic was your bay (you do have a bay don't you!?) as i scrolled down without reading.
I love my geldings too, a bit like Brig if i didn't love murph i don't know where he'd be, he's a funny bunny but i adore him and underneath he loves his mummy too! He's very, very insecure and anxious so can be quite funny with those he doesn't know. Since Pen came along he's been towing the line a bit more too (in jealousy) and not really been grumpy towards me (part of that is not being worked too probably) and generally very needy. The other day when the farrier came he just stood loose next to me the whole time wanting cuddles/love. The flip side is he has always wanted me for himself and is quite protective of me and gets grumpy with Harry/Pen if he thinks i'm showing them too much attention and if he knows someone (like my OH!) is scared of him he intimidates them at every opportunity.. Basically he's a sod but but he's my sod!
Harry is the total opposite in that very much he's a no nonsense/no fuss kind of pony, he's not affectionate (unless you have food), doesn't like to be brushed and so forth but he's kind, easy to be around and genuine. He doesn't have a nasty bone in him and never retaliates when Murph has a pop at him and he's twice his bulk and a bit more besides!
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Silly horse!
He was having a hissy fit because of the builders - it also took me half an hour to catch him, even WITH carrots) He he I shall have my revenge at the TREC tomorrow.......
for so much hard work we thank ye!!