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The Challenge | The Trainers and Students | Event Information Thursday, September 4 This will be my last update on George before the “event” on September 13th. George now has 105 hours of training logged. I would estimate that it is a 50/50 split between groundwork and saddle time. Since our last update we have been working on the canter and have made some progress. Eventually he will have a pretty little canter as he is now offering it on the lunge line. Under saddle it’s not there yet, and won’t be by the event time, however it has gotten much better and I am happy with his progress. We had our sixth and final trail ride at Carver Park on August 30th. It felt like graduation day for George. He was wonderful and calm and kept his thinking side working the entire time. A Potential Adopter visited George on Friday, August 29th. Maybe he knew it was a special visit, as he worked so perfectly that evening, I was very proud of him! His visitor even mounted up and took him for a few laps around the ring, trying to get a feel for him. The past few days he has had a well deserved break from training. Only a few more sessions and we will soon see everyone at the Leatherdale Center. Look for the alert little red pony with the flaxen mane and tail! Wednesday, August 20 Things are progressing well with George. We had a fun weekend as we went trail riding at Crow-Hassan Park both Saturday and Sunday. I do think George does best with at least one other confident horse along for reassurance. He is seldom afraid on the trail, but he does rely on Sherman as being the “rock.” Sherman is our extremely calm 3 year old quarter horse gelding. If George was my horse, I would continue to trail ride him with other horses for a while, just to make it easier on him. I think he will progress faster that way. There is no doubt in my mind that George has all the potential to be a confident trail horse…even alone. He wants very much to LEAD down the trail…he gets in front of Sherman…then a bit further down the trail I can feel a little tension in his back…he’s still going and feeling forward…but he becomes a little unsure. So I will turn him back or wait for Sherman to take the lead again for a while. The park was VERY busy this weekend and we had the opportunity to cross paths with many horse and riders. George has made great strides in meeting unknown horses more calmly (ie: it is no longer an "event"). He is an energetic mount and wants to know what is around the next bend. At the same time he is easy to control. I would recommend that George wear front shoes or hoof boots for the trails as he is a bit ouchy on gravel/rocks. I’ve been dismounting and walking over the gravely areas so he doesn’t get sore. Right now he is barefoot. We have done some trotting and even a bit of cantering on the trails, and of course I’m mounting and dismounting on a regular basis. Trailering George is simple and he will stand tied to the trailer and munch happily in his hay bag. (Again, this is with Sherman tied to the other side of the trailer calmly munching his hay, too.) George readily drinks water away from home (including sucking from a gurgling water fountain as we pump the water out). He’s just an easy horse to take out and about. Now we are back to schooling and working methodically on learning to canter (without trotting a hundred miles an hour once around the circle first, thank you very much!). Monday, August 11 The Advantages to Owning a Smaller Equine
Horses Under 14 Hands – Tips learned the hard way!
Wednesday, August 6 After our outing to the show grounds on July 19th, I gave George a few days off. We then spent the last two weeks of July in a near standoff with me wanting to move forward with his training and George not showing much try or willingness. Up to this point, I sensed in George a strong “tolerance” of what we were doing but not an “acceptance” of allowing me to lead and tell. George has a very strong instinct to lead and control. We had several sessions on the ground during which he would end up snorting at me in disgust before finally settling in and doing a task. We spent this time doing groundwork and light riding around the stables, using the indoor arena, riding in the neighbors outdoor ring, continuing to introduce him to various obstacles and items for desensitizing. However we weren’t making progress the way I imagined it and with some basic things we were going backwards. After a sleepless night thinking it through, I decided to eliminate the rope halter, which I have always viewed as quite severe, and to replace it with a simple flat nylon halter. I like to leave a halter on under his headstall even during riding work. At any time I can step down, pick up the lead rope which is wrapped around the saddle horn and help him through things or lead him to the next area we are going to work in, etc. I started him with the typical "natural horsemanship" knotted halter as he wasn’t paying ANY attention to me without it. (The first week I had him he wouldn’t even LOOK at me during groundwork!) But maybe it was time for ME to give a little to him and in turn HE would give back to me. Then, on August 1st, we switched it out, and the response was immediate. Since then the resistance level has gone to a low simmer and he is much calmer and more cooperative. He indeed was ready to graduate to a softer touch. Our last 5 sessions have been enjoyable for both of us. I haven’t taken him off the farm since July 19th, but this weekend we are hoping to trailer out to Crow-Hassen for a trail ride. Saturday, August 2 Photos of George working with poles in sand.
Saturday, July 19 Trailered to a nearby WSCA show just to do groundwork and to again expose him to “strange” horses. When he unloaded he was very nervous, whinnying and prancy. Just did circles, backing, (etc.), and talked calmly to him. It took about 20 minutes and he settled in and did his work quietly. The area I was working with him was very close to a busy road. He did not pay any attention to the traffic, his only concern was all the other "strange" horses. Once he quieted down and would stand in place for long periods of time, then we just loaded up and came home. Friday, July 18 Carver Park. This trip there were no other horses at the park. George was very quiet. We tacked up our two horses, did a few minutes of groundwork, mounted and rode the trails. I would ride about 10 minutes, then dismount and walk a bit, then mount again and ride awhile. George is a bit stubborn and insistent on having things his way at times. He’s learning I am slightly more stubborn than he is. My hubby and I alternate who “leads” down the trail. I should mention, George is now jumping on the trailer like a pro. I still like to hold the lead rope as he backs out in case he gets a notion to turn around. Our trailer is warmblood size and he can get himself pickled if we aren’t careful. ;-) He does back out very well. He is extremely surefooted and coordinated – like a mountain goat. > Back to the Trainers and Students Thursday, July 17 Ground work and riding in new outdoor ring adjacent to busy road and near horses he doesn’t know. Very good boy. Traffic does not seem to be an issue with George (cars, motorcycles, delivery trucks @ 55 mph). He was more fascinated with another rider on a “Strange” horse! He is beginning to settle down faster and pay attention to me after a few minutes of puffing himself up for attention from the new horse (studly). Wedneday, July 16 Set up objects in indoor arena to navigate (tarp, rail, small jump, bagful of pop cans on a stick and loud music). Did ground work first, then mounted work. 2nd wash stall hose down – stood better this time. Tuesday, July 15 Rode inside and outside. Sideways game improving during groundwork. Yo yo game is pretty good. Sunday, July 13 Carver Park. Spent at least an hour when we got there on groundwork to calm him down. Park was very busy and he was totally distracted by strange horses. Once he became focused on me, we saddled up (hubby had his horse along). I walked George out a ways on the trails and mounted in a quiet area. Rode for a short time, then walked the trails. This was a windy day, which did not disturb him. His biggest issue is “other horses.” > Back to the Trainers and Students Saturday, July 12 Another windy day. Excellent calm groundwork. No spooky issues in areas he had been afraid on prior windy days. While riding had one big spook when a tarp blew up nearby due to high winds. (We've done tarp work, but this was quite a big wind gust and understandable.) He galloped a couple strides then stopped. Worked indoors on “sideways game” (I only dable with Parelli) and then rode inside for first time. Wednesday, July 9 Rode alone in outdoor area. Was a very good boy. Tuesday, July 8 Very windy day. Desensitized to objects in a “new” location (100 feet away from theoutdoor riding area. ) Also did mounted work in the riding ring. Sunday, July 6 First solo ride. Walk/trot/whoa/turning. First wash stall hose down. > Back to the Trainers and Students Friday, July 4
Wednesday night was the first time I sat in the saddle (after hanging off both sides, hanging over the entire saddle and generally looking foolish for quite a while before I committed to the seat!). As planned (and still thankfully), it was not a big event. Thursday night we took it a little further with my husband leading George while I was in the saddle. We then tried some small circles. It went quite well, with the usual first “ride” confusion, George was thinking “You want WHAT? WHY are you up there? How much do you weigh anyway?” During all this he never felt tense or overwhelmed. I expect to make steady progress from here. The emphasis will continue on groundwork, with a short period of mounted work each day. > Back to the Trainers and Students Thursday, June 27 This week George was introduced to a snaffle bit. He wears it when doing his other ground work; nothing is attached to the rings yet. After trying to chew it to death, he even tried to yawn it out of his mouth. What a funny boy! It didn't take long before he was just holding it quietly while we went about our work. He is now wearing a saddle. I had a few sessions with a circingle and the saddle pad or simply my bareback pad, just to get him used to being girthed. Then on Tuesday he started wearing a western saddle. I spent quite a bit of time desensitizing him to the fenders and stirrups. Frankly, he took it quite well, even when being lunged at the trot and canter. No buck in this boy so far! Thursday night we added a tarp and a pole to our routine, working on foot placement, quietness and control with as light of a touch as possible. He was wearing the tarp in a big heap on his back and walking with me toward the end of our session. He is very sensible and it is easy to show him new things. The farrier was out to trim George yesterday. He behaved just fine. Monday is the only day of the week Georgie has off. Otherwise he gets one to two hours of work each day. He is making steady progress, has a good work ethic and seems to truly enjoy having a purpose. He is easy to catch in the pasture and he gets along well with the other horses. George will make a terrific family horse. > Back to the Trainers and Students Monday, June 23 George takes on Carver Park! Unfortunately for George (or, maybe that's "fortunately"!), it wasn't just to look at the trees and go bird watching. No, this was a training lesson - actually several lessons in one! This little trip encompassed trailering, practicing circles, walk, trot, whoa (which is always good), and walking on trails.
> Back to the Trainers and Students Friday, June 20 We received some new photos and information today from Robin, regarding how George is settling in. It seems that everything is going well, and George is sporting the very latest in fly protection these days, and has a matching fly mask to go along with his new duds. Also, Robin measured George today and his official height is now listed as 13.3 hands high.
> Back to the Trainers and Students Sunday, June 15 Today George and I met.
I worked with him for 10 minutes or so in his paddock to teach him to circle me in both directions and to stop and stand (for at least a second or two, please, thank you!) He responded very quickly to my body language and had no objections to me pushing him around (figuratively). I saw no tail swishing all day. Once I understood where he was at, then I led him out to the horse trailer and we did some circles there a while, walked up to the trailer, backed away from it a few times and just stood there and smelled it a while. His curiosity is a big asset and helps move him forward. I got into the trailer and crouched down, which instantly made me more interesting, so he put both his front legs inside…then I stood up and backed him out of the trailer. The next time I walked in and crouched and he pretty much followed me in and stood quietly…so we decided to close it and take him home. He whinnied on the way home (his little pony voice), but stood quietly. We had about a 60 mile trip, so we checked him a couple times. He did fine. At home he backed out of the trailer willingly. I spent a few minutes with him in his paddock, showing him the boundaries, etc. His paddock is adjacent to some of the other geldings who were all running around like crazy children, showing George their “stuff”. I kept him on a long line in his paddock so he wasn't able to run around or hurt himself in any way while they had their fun. Once they settled down I turned George loose in his paddock with water and a flake of hay and allowed him to settle in. He was very level headed about all this change and activity. Good Boy! He strikes me as a future pony hunter/jumper. He would also look sweet pulling a cart. For now, basic training! > Back to the Trainers and Students About George: Foaled in 2004, this dual registered, half Arabian and Pinto broodstock gelding has been with the Rescue since October of 2007. In that time, we've worked with him as much as we could, but we admit that he's got a long way to go. Being a bit on the small side - we have him at about 14 hands, which may be generous - he's been overlooked many times by adopters looking for more of a riding horse. He was chosen to be a student for the Challenge because of his easy-going attitude and his good looks.
About Robin: As a youth/young adult, Robin was involved in 4-H both as a member and as a leader of the Horse/Pony project in Jefferson County, WI. During this time, she was also quite active with showing horses. She's owned horses for many years, and currently has a six year-old Paint gelding that's she's had since he was a yearling and her husband has a three year-old quarter horse gelding that they purchased as a weanling. In addition to training horses for her own personal use, she enjoys pleasure riding and working with young horses. When not doing "horse things", Robin works full-time as a controller for a small manufacturing company in the metro area. Robin also tells us that her six year-old gelding is quite happy to have the summer off while she works with George.
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The July 2008 issue of The Equine Journal has a great article titled “Ponies for Grownies” written by Karen E. Baril. (
He is very curious and forward, holds his head high, is a bit herd bound. He has minor issues with space and control. He doesn't understand to stop when I stop (or to follow my lead, he would rather lead me) but it’s coming quickly. George is very small, I haven’t measured him yet, but I would be surprised if he is over 13 hands, so he is going to need to be very gentle and light so a young person can enjoy him.