Guess what???

Well, Merlin's training is still in it's infancy, and guess what I got for him yesterday? A HARNESS!!! It's only a cheap little training harness, but I'm going to get him going in it anyway and start long reining, well, that's the idea anyway. I can't wait to try it on him and take some photos. This should be really good :)

Breaking.

Well, I don't like the term 'breaking in' a horse, as it conjures all sorts of nasty images, but it's the first word that pops into my mind when I talk of education. I suppose it's because everyone understands what I mean by it. It's the important part of being a working horse. If I simply say 'educating' it doesn't have the same impact, as Merlin has been learning right from the moment he arrived at our field. From understanding our boundaries to simple commands and learning to accept rugs and halters and fly sprays and ointments, it's all education.

Now however, it's going up a step and wouldn't you believe it, the weather has turned wet and uncooperative! Still, Merlin had a leather strap buckled around his middle last week, in preparation for the roller and he took no notice whatever as I led him around the field. He has been bitted, but I've noticed he's having a few teeth issues, so I want to take that carefully. Poor little mite has one adult front tooth, but the other is still a baby tooth, giving him a bit of an Austen Powers look.

We are getting there, but slowly and at an easy pace :)