This message is from: "Pasqual, Patricia A" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Well I haven't been able to ride or drive this summer due to medical reasons, but my boys have stepped right in! My (formerly) non-horsey husband Chris has been taking lessons, and is now so comfortable that he is trail riding on his own, and goes out several times a week to do something with Elph. Recently my son also started taking lessons, last night was his third. The trainer sets up a course with a tiny caveletti, cones, and logs, and Cullen and Elph go at it! All the obstacles keep both horse and son interested. Cullen has had lessons in the past, but this trainer is so superior to any other we have had, and Elph's training has gotten to the point where he has become a very good lesson horse. He seems to really enjoy working with Cul; maybe it's that Cul is light, athletic (balanced), but also doesn't let him get away with anything (how did he learn that so fast?) I'm really proud of them! Cul said last night "I think I want to ride in that show next year!" so I'm hoping that next summer at Blue Earth we will have the full range of showing Elph off, with me driving, Cul doing Jr Riding, and Chris doing the Adult Riding. I can dream! All in all a good summer, though not the way I thought it would be. One more idea for Patti and her problem horse: have someone whose horse sense you trust observe as you work with the horse. Have them say out loud what they are seeing as the horse moves, and is exposed to different things (ears, eyes, gait, tenseness), and also write notes so you remember everything. Also, can you put the saddle on and put some weight on it (like tie a bag of grain or dog food) and see if that causes a problem? I would be curious to know if the spooking happens in a round pen situation (being exposed to different "spookies") with no one on his back. GOOD LUCK! Congrats to all the successful showing, and the just plain old fun-having with Fjords (swimming sounds hysterical, I want to try that) Linda Lotti and Kirstin - I saw Fikken at the state fair, but didn't see you! Tish and Elph in Minneapolis With perfect weather - sunny, blue sky, fresh cool breeze - I'm storing the memory so I can pull it out in a few months
