Gunner

I had Madison Equine out to visit yesterday and Gunner (BB's Duncan Dry, my 8yo QH gelding) has received permission to enter training. For those of you new to the blog he was treated two summers ago for EPM. I have him on a waiting list to go to a local trainer, Aaron Kite to get 30 days refresher riding and then start barrel and or pole bending training.



In the mean time I have him in pretty good cardio shape and have been working on getting him to bend and flex on the ground and in the saddle. (yes you heard that right, in the saddle) The further I get him between now and the training date the more money I save on having someone else to teach him. In addition I continue to gain his trust and self confidence in riding him. As a bonus I get to use the facilities at High Pines Farm in exchange for manual labor. It's all good!

A few years back I invested in some Clinton Anderson DVD's and they have been so helpful in helping me help Gunner. My next project for Clinton's techniques is S's horse Dixie. She is the quintessential boss mare. Everyone bows down to her, pushy little mare that she is. She just has either never been taught differently or has always gotten away with what she wanted. N, my kinder and gentler daughter, has even seen the light that this mare is way to pushy. We have worked with a fair amount of cattle over the years and The Man has always said "Once they realize they are bigger than you it's all over." This translates well to horses also, and Dixie has realized she is bigger!