This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Beth- Good advice already, including working with the person who trained Sonny to show you how to ride him and to increase your confidence. I always like to start my rides with groundwork. My Fjords are so reliable at this point that I don't do it every time, but the first couple YEARS I did ;-). It never failed that what happened in ground work also happened while riding; if the horse was calm and obedient, so he was under saddle, while if he was distracted and running around, it was not a very fun ride! What you describe seems to be extremely common with Fjords. People buy one, send it to a trainer, take it home, mount up, and have a disaster. I have learned that Fjords are very loyal and need serious bonding time. They are not the type of horse one can "cowboy up." If you develop the close relationship they need, they will carry you through Hell, but if you don't, they won't do anything for you. / )_~ /L/L Brigid Wasson SF Bay Area, CA _www.Brigid.Clickryder.com_ (http://www.brigid.clickryder.com/)
