Baby Steps for Baby Horses

Before Stevie, I'd never worked with a young horse. My first mare, although she acted completely green, had been around the block a few times. Deuce was 11 when I started riding him.

This last summer, I rode nearly every day. We took maybe one or two days off a week. Deuce was in fabulous shape and always ready to go. He probably would have cheerfully worked every day if I had asked it of him, not that I would. But I didn't have to worry about wearing him out, if he could handle.

Then I bought a 3 year old. Stevie is a sweetheart with a huge stride who gets tired very quickly. Even when I have the time to ride every day, I can't. Don't get me wrong, I love my new boy. It's just an adjustment.

I'd planned on teaching Deuce flying lead changes this year, if I got to keep him. Now I've switched to thinking "maybe in a few years."

It's good for me, really. Stevie's making me slow down, and really take the time to plan what we're going to do. And I get the best homework from my trainer - trail rides three times a week, and we have to trot/canter/gallop the entire time.

Maybe I could push him more. Certainly there are lots of people who do - you can buy finished reining horses or hunters who are only three or four years old. But I won't, because I firmly believe taking it slow is what's best for him. I'm not going to ask him to do something he isn't physically and mentally ready for.

For now, I'm just going to keep calm and enjoy the trails. 

A Horse! A Horse!

I can't stop saying it to myself - "I own a horse. I own a horse."

That's right, I haven't even been in college for three weeks and I've purchased a new equine.  At least no one can say I procrastinate (when it comes to horses.)

Of course, with this horse comes the panic of "nothing I own will fit him!" Because Deuce, my previous ride, was a 15hh stock-type horse. Stevie, the new boy, is a 16hh thoroughbred (never raced). Who's probably going to grow more and get wider, because he's only 3 years old.

Yeah, Stevie clearly still has a lot of changing left to do. He is one of the most mild-mannered young horses I have ever met, though. And very calm under saddle. Of course, I wouldn't have bought him if he weren't. ;) That's Cricket in the background. Cricket pretty much just wanders were she wants. When I tried Stevie the first time we went just down the road to the riding field and she followed us, then just hung around my friend who'd come to watch. 

Well, I have to go back to panicking over what I need to buy for him. What boots? A snaffle bridle? What size bit does he need?? (Luckily he's staying at the barn of the person I bought him from and my new trainer's been riding him, so these questions should be easy to answer.)