The Man!

Oh my poor boy was terrorized by the most appalling apparition today. But don't worry, he was very brave and walked safely behind me until Andrew removed the fire breathing, pony eating LEEKS!!! Yes, I did say leeks. I'd picked them for tea and left them on a bucket outside the tin shed that we use for storage. I swear to goodness that Merlin was almost 14hands high as he pranced across the paddock to confront the monsters. I tried valiantly (sort of) not to laugh at him, but it was very hard. Especially as the wind lifted a few leaves as I was brushing him and he nearly took me out in fright. He came at me broadside, and when we connected he leaped almost vertically upwards, because he'd forgotten that I was there - brushing him! Poor baby, I nearly hugged him, but you don't do that to Stallions, they don't like it, wounds their pride or something. So I gave him a manly pat and we carried on.

The neck reining was fabulous though, and I was steering him with a light tug on the rein. He's picked it up so quickly is really loving the work, and when I bring him his bucket, he shouts 'Yes! I am the man!'

Neck reining.

In a fit of tidyness, I sorted all my harnesses and reins and took them home to organise. So when we decided to do some more neck reining today, everything was at home!!! I improvised with an old stirrup leather and some rug straps and we used the old headcollar. Merlin wasn't so keen today, but we still did well.



He was listening to front and back, and got over his need to hang back and walk with me, despite a little unfair jeering from Toffee!



The session only lasted 10 minutes today, but afterwards, Merlin was yawning a lot, so I'm glad I didn't overdo it. Small steps now make the biggest difference in the long term.

Fun!

Well, we had a fun time today, we started neck reining with Merlin. This is a gentle introduction to long reining, where the long line is attached to a strap around the neck, instead of the head. I wanted to give this a go, because I wanted to see how well Merlin responds to voice aids. He leads very well from the head and halts and backs up well with hardly any commands as I've taught him to follow the parelli methods. This means that I only use my voice occasionally to reinforce the request.

So, we were walking around the school, Andrew leading and me on the long line. Andrew wasn't giving any commands, but I was. It was ok until the line, which was whipping around like a noisy flag, touched Merlin on the flank. 'Shot from a gun' sprang to my mind. But he didn't run off, oh no. He surged forwards so that Andrew could save him, or at the least distract the monster that was chasing him! We quickly regained control and I spent 5 minutes on either side, stroking Merlin with the line, all over. No problem, he said, and we carried on. This time, all of the control came from me and Merlin was really paying attention, especially as I've never moved him forwards from the hindquarters before. When I wanted him to stop, I just gave a tiny tug on the line, which pulled the neck rein, told him to stand and he stopped instantly. Was he pleased with himself? I think you could say that, especially after much fuss and cuddles. The whole session took less than 15 minutes, but he believed he'd earned his lunch!

He's very enjoyable to teach, as he picks everything up so quickly. I'm glad I decided to do this instead of lungeing, as I've got far more control and it's a much gentler start to schooling. The backing was going well, but not something I want to do every day, especially when the weather is so appalling. I need to build on that a little at a time. Now that I'm finding what works best for Merlin, I'm going to work out a proper training program with lessons that can have a progression from one thing to another. I'm not sure if I may ultimately have to send him away to have his schooling finished, but if that's what I decide, then I want him to be as prepared as possible.

UhOh!!!

Oh dear! Despite a stinking headache, I took the time out today to do a rough sketch of Merlin and it struck me that unless I've been paid, the only other portraits I've ever done of horses were of Oliver! It feels very much that in the last few weeks I've become very smitten again with Merlin and hopefully I can move on and enjoy my time with the two ponies that I do have rather than missing the one I don't.

This is a very rough sketch, but I'm going to ink it in and post the finished picture in a day or two. Who knows, if it turns out well, I may frame it. Maybe I shouldn't leave Toffee out either :)

Backed.

Well I've started backing him and the first day went really well, despite my phone going off as I was leaning across his back, but the second time he was a bit skitty. That could have been because Poppy was helping and she was a bit tense. He's so comfortable with me doing things that now he has to get used to Poppy so that she can get on him. It's not going to be a quick process, but that's ok, we have all winter :)

By request.

After a request by Jenny for some pictures of Merlin, I realise that I've hardly taken any of him this Summer. So here are a couple from last week. He's a little wet on his back and the field shelter hasn't got the Winter bed down, but he's looking pretty good, IMHO!

Angel.

I'm more than pleased with Merlin's behaviour lately, I think Autumn seems to be his favourite time of year. He's just been soooo good and very willing to learn. We went for a lovely walk around the lane today, and he was a complete Angel. He was trotting and halting almost as the words were out of my mouth and he coped really well with an assortment of hedge cutters, strimmers and leaf blowers! He did try and nip my behind a couple of times, but that's just normal behaviour for him :)

Now that he has finally finished cutting his front tooth, I can start to think about bitting him properly. I know it's necessary for his breaking in, but he goes so well in his rope halter that I've been reluctant to muck about with his mouth too much. I just know that if I take him to a show, the bit is compulsory, so I may as well get him used to it now.

I'm also planning to back him this week, although the weather forecast is grim and my tough little pony so hates to get wet!!!

Progress again!

Well, we are coming along nicely with Merlin these days, and I seem to be getting along nicely with some of his training. Unfortunately the harness just didn't fit, but we did have fun trying it on him, and I was very impressed by his patience. I guess all that ground work is starting to pay off now, as I can do most things with him and he seems to enjoy the fussing. I still haven't tried the long reining, but that will be soon, as he's clearly ready for a challenge.