This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Loki is settling into his new digs pretty well! Those who've followed this thread, know that we were told that "...he's been ridden some..." but mostly used for farm work, wagon train, parade driving, for years. I've been doing ground work with him, and so far, he's responding well to everything I've asked of him. Been behaving and quiet. Getting to know him!
He's been doing so well, that yesterday, I held the lead line, and Rick (hubby) lifted my son (15yr old) up on Loki's back. Loki did not even batt an eye - no biggie. But then, we would not have gone that far, if he'd not shown me the signs of would probably be fine. Rick was spotter (walking beside Ryan, just in case) while I lead Loki around for a while. He was so quiet and accepting of it - that my daughter (17 yr old) wanted to take a whirl. Same thing - no big deal to Loki. He really acts as if he's very used to someone on his back. That, or it's the many years as a well trained driving/farm horse that is showing through. :-) Next, I hopped up there myself. LOL! Now, *this* you had to be there to see why I was so pleased with m'boy! Hubby helped me up (I'm not particularly "limber", by any means) - but he grabbed my knee instead of foot. So, I clamber up - no leverage - and end up grabbing Loki's thick neck, feet hanging off his rump (full horiztonal, laying on his back), and laughing so hard! Loki the whole time just looked back, as if to say "are you up there yet?" A slight flinch but no panic or antsy from him at all. Even when I managed to sit up, and we had to tug the bare back pad back in place under my buns (it had scrunched foreward, during the, aaaaaah, less than graceful mount up!) Altogether, we spent about an hour and a half out there, lead line riding on Loki. I am going to get a measure on him for a bit today, see how that is going. Next is to figure out if he needs a wide tree Aussie, or a draft tree Aussie (because of his being overweight) - but an Aussie for sure (my favorite saddle). We think that he is "telling" us that he's no greenie to saddle riding after all, as we suspect from what the seller told us - but don't know for sure. :-) Or, all those years of being a driving work horse is showing through in asking him to accept me on his back? Either way, looks like it won't take too long at all for him and I to be on the trails together! I was able to reach Ken McNabb's in Wyoming's voice mail today, Friday (the original trainer) and hope to hear back, with more about what Loki has been trained for in saddle riding. The McNabb's sold Loki to Keith Perry - and it was Keith who said the McNabb's told him Loki has "been ridden some." He's been trained and used for years as a driving horse - just need to get "ridden some" defined down. :-) Happy trails, Sher Olson, Aurora CO http://RockyMountainTrails.net/Book.html "Rocky Mountain Trails, Vol.1" 60 trails in of the urban, prairie, foothills and mountains in the central corridor of Colorado - Ft. Collins to Colorado Springs. For the one hour or all day rider. Plus Bed & Breakfasts for you & your horse. Binder format.
