Adjusting
Where is Sully?! |
Over the past few days, Dino and I have both been adjusting to our new home. I absolutely LOVE that the barn is 1 mile from my house, and I can pop over there whenever I want to see my pony. On nice days when I have the time, I think I'll run there instead of driving!
Yesterday after work we had our first solo ride at the new farm. My only goal for the day was to end the session with a pony who was relaxed, confident, and listening, and was prepared to take as long as he needed to do that.
In contrast to the extreme anxiety about standing in his stall that Dino displayed on Sunday afternoon, he was MUCH more relaxed about it yesterday and was able to be confined and eat some hay without having a total freakout. Progress! Of course he was a complete and total mud ball, so I had to spend a lot of time grooming, but I'm happy he's also relaxed enough to lay down and roll!
Learning to love his new space |
Since we had some heavy rain earlier and the dedicated "arena" field had just been seeded, I decided to go on a nice walk around the perimeter of the parcel where the barn and the house are, do some hill work, and check out the corn field to the rear of the turnout pastures.
Ready to roll! |
Good Boy Dino |
We got down to the corn field, did some on-the-bit walk work, and then walked back up the hill. By this time both of us were definitely more relaxed! Down the hill again, this time with a confident swagger. Dino was settling into the ride really nicely, and was less and less concerned with where everyone else was the longer we rode. We ended with a great trot up the long, steep hill and called it a day. It was a very successful first outing all by ourselves!
It's a bit damp out... |
Sounds like he is settling in well! His new house looks great :)
ReplyDeleteaw Dino looks very cute and relaxed in those photos! glad you two are building up your confidence and comfort in the new facilities together!
ReplyDeleteSo jealous about how close your new barn is!
ReplyDeleteOnly a mile away? I would definitely want to ride my horse home at some point. Just because you can!
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