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The Challenge | The Trainers and Students | Event Information Saturday, September 6
Kelso went to another "playday" this week. It was his first trail ride in a group situation. He wanted to trot a few times, but after traveling sideways for a distance (the "consequence"), he decided walking was easier. Once he settled in (after a very short amount of time) he wasn't overly concerned with the group of other horses, and was content to follow along a good 30 feet behind everyone else at a nice, casual walk. He had his first exposure to a river, and was walking in it confidently after a few approach and retreats. He definetly has potential to be a GREAT trail horse!! I am going to miss this guy!
It's been about a month since our last update, and Kelso has made leaps and bounds in his training progress since then! Kelso has been doing so great with his gaits. I have felt comfortable enough with him to ask for a gallop. He obliged and stayed in a thinking frame of mind the whole time! When I "quit riding" and turned my life down he slowed right down and stopped without me having to even lift the reins. For a horse that is probably part Arabian, he surprises me sometimes by having more "whoa" than "go", which is nice. He is being ridden regularly at walk, trot and canter. Leg cues are becoming clearer to him. He does a full 360 degree pivot on his hindquarters (slowly), and sideways is getting easier with repetition. He is a very enjoyable riding horse. Kelso was exposed to "stall life" and was ridden in an indoor arena, for a week. He has been ridden around other horses, and gets a little distracted with who they are, and what they are doing - as most young horses do. I just keep him busy and focused doing something while other horses are around, and it feels like he understands we are not "with them" we are just hanging out in the same space as they are, doing our own thing. For example, if he is standing and we are watching the other riders and a horse and rider trot or canter past us, he initially wants to go along with them. I just reminded him lightly and with a few back up steps to stand still, he quickly forgets about moving and calmly stands and watches them. I have taken him for a few trail rides around the farm with just him and I, and overall he does very well. Most of the time he will drop his head and walk along nicely. If something scares him though, he will spook and move quickly. This weekend he will attend his first group trail ride at Haycreek. A group of my horse friends are meeting that day. We start on the ground with ground play in the morning, then move to riding tasks in the afternoon, and end with a trail ride. He has attended one of these events earlier this summer, before he was being ridden and did great with the ground tasks and the group. He was curious about all the other horses, but was easy to control on the ground and still listened well to what I was asking him to do. There are a lot of other areas of progression over the past month, too many to name. I am going to miss this sweetheart of a guy! My greatest hope, as I am sure the other trainer's will agree, is to find these horses a great home! -- Sincerely, T.J. Hiebert Tuesday, July 22
He had a few more rides this week also. Ride 3 and 4 he did some bucking at the trot and canter (if you can call it bucking...very soft and easy to sit through!). I rode him long enough for him to work it out, and ended with a good trot and canter effort from him. He didn't seem to do it out of fear, it was more that he was irritated by the saddle and me flopping around, I think. He also had a small bite wound on his butt from another horse, that may have caused a little discomfort. Ride 5 went great though...no buck at any gait! He is starting to follow the rail as his own responsibility at walk, trot and canter. By the way, he has one of the best rocking horse canters I have felt! His canter is very SMOOTH! > Back to the Trainers and Students
Kelso had a second ride today. Bending, moving the forehand and hindquarters. Also rode walk, trot and canter in the round pen. He was introduced to the BIG ball today, too. He did really well. Monday, July 14 During the past month, Kelso has had extensive ground work. Everything from tarps, bridges, balls, plastic bags, jumps, saddling, etc. His confidence has grown a lot with all the obstacle challenges he has faced while here. He had a trailer loading session last week and he learned how to go in upon suggestion, and also back out. In addition, he is doing much better with his feet. He had his first trim while here and stood great. He is still a little unconfident about his back feet being held up for a longer period of time, so we will keep playing with that. After a month of ground work and preparation "Kelso" had his first ride today. He moved his hindquarters and forehand while ridden and we walked, trotted and cantered a few circles in each direction. He never once bucked with the saddle while doing ground work, or while being ridden. He has taken it all in stride. We are beginning to explore the property more, getting ready to be ridden out and about. I am planning 1-2 more riding sessions in the round pen, and then we will branch out into the arena, large pasture, and eventually trail riding in the great outdoors with other steady trail horses. YouTube videos: First ride - trot and canter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMy5if0QTxM Tuesday, June 24 Kelso had his first saddle prep today and wore the bareback pad - he did awesome. He carried the bareback pad around for a few hours and was a pro at it! He is one smart cookie! I am continually impressed with him. > Back to the Trainers and Students Thursday, June 19 Kelso has been at my place for 4 days now. After a short bought with "the runs" his tummy is feeling better and we have been playing 2-3 short sessions daily. He is a very sensitive horse that is smart as a whip! He is a willing student and is catching on very quickly. After just a few days of playing he is starting to follow my directing and negotiate obstacles such as a small log jump, sand pit and a bridge. At the first sight of new, scary things he is spooky, but his curiosity quickly takes over and within a short time he is smelling, mouthing, and testing out the object. He has a beautiful, floating trot - classic of an Arabian. He has a quick and good head about him. Overall he is a really neat horse! I look forward to the next 90-something days, to see what he will teach me and all that he will learn.
> Back to the Trainers and Students About Kelso: Foaled in 2005, Kelso is a black gelding with a tiny white star and white anklets. He came to the Resuce very thin, but good food and parasite control kicked his system into high gear to where he's a solid looking horse. He originally had some nerve damage to his face but that has since healed up nicely. He initially had some trust issues with humans, but has quickly learned that cookies are for good ponies. We think he's going to mature into a large pony/small horse size and could make an excellent pony hunter!
About TJ: I have been around and have loved horses my whole life. As an adult, I became very interested in training and for the past 10 years I have been studying many different methods. I have really been drawn to Natural Horsemanship Methods because of my interest in learning how to "read the horse" and respond appropriately and learning how to be a strong, non-forceful leader for the horse. I have been practicing Natural horsemanship for the last 5 years. I opened my business, True Blue Stables LLC, one year ago. Currently horse playing (training) is my seasonal, summer job. I always look forward to spring when I can spend full-time with my horses again. I have 2 horses, a pony, a few dogs, a cat and a very loving, supporting, understanding, and wonderful husband!
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Just a quick update about the group trail ride today...
Thursday, August 28
After each ground play or riding session he has been tied for a few hours. I have used a tie ring and also have tied him solid and he has learned to stand nicely. 
Kelso is starting to carry a tarp around on his back. He also is learning to push the big green ball around a little bit. He is standing tied for longer periods of time (a couple hours now). He is easy to catch and is usually the first to come up to me at the gate, with the halter and lead in my hand. He sticks his nose in the halter and seems ready to go learn something new. He is becoming more expressive about his "itchy spots" and LOVES to be scratched and rubbed by his withers, along his back and in front of his chest and neck. 
Tuesday, July 15
