This message is from: Krissie England <bluerunf...@yahoo.com> Thank you! Our percherons are what got us looking at Fjords too. We have two perchies and love them, so when it came time to look for something smaller we were naturally drawn to the draftiness of the Fjords.
Sounds like Joe had a similar beginning to Trygg. I just looked at his papers and we are owner number 7 for the poor guy. Which is why I find it so hard to let him go, even though I promised my hubby he was a good buy because we could "always sell him if he didn't work out" given that Fjords are pretty pricey around here and we got a really good deal (should have known then, LOL). Of course, I think my hubby knew that wouldn't happen, I've never once managed to let go of an animal once it's part of the family. <Unbelievably personable and adorable on the ground and when he agrees with the program> That's the key right there, when he agrees with the program. That is Trygg to a tee. He is sweet as can be as long as you are not making him do something he would rather not do. In the field I can lead him with a piece of twine or by cupping my hand under his chin. But taking him out of the field away from his buddies, he has actually tried to knock me over with his shoulder and run back to them. That was an argument I won by pulling him around and putting him to work in a circle around me. But he sure was P***ed. I was worried about sending him away for training for just the same reason you mentioned, that he would think he'd been sold yet again. Unfortunately, the trainer we used to use that came to us had the nerve to move back to South Carolina! We miss him. And I couldn't find anyone else I would trust that would come here. My vet recommended the trainer Trygg is with now and I think it was the best thing for him. When I dropped him off he did kinda pull back and look worried at going into the barn and I told him right there that he was still our pony and we weren't deserting him, but he had to go away to school for a while to learn to earn his keep (school is how we explained the training to our son, who is almost 5). Got a funny look from the trainer, but Trygg seemed happier and walked in with me. I've also made sure to go see him as often as I can, so he still sees us and knows we are still around. I figure it's like having him at a boarding barn, he's not at home with us but he still sees us and knows he's our boy. I've actually ridden him there twice now and the difference is amazing. He does still every once in a while try the biting at my toes thing (though not seriously anymore, more like he is just checking to make sure he still can't get away with it), but we've had no bucking since he started there, knock on wood. He is able to do walk/trot/canter without getting worked up or trying to toss me, so I'm pretty happy with that for now. He never threw me at home, but he did toss my husband twice. So my husband has had a lesson on him at the trainer's now, too. She said she thinks Trygg got rid of him and not me because I am a stronger rider and Trygg is no dummy. He tried silliness with me and got in trouble, he tried the same silliness with my husband and got away with it, so he took the opportunity and tossed him. Which I think is a very true assessment unfortunately, he is more than smart enough to figure out who he can take advantage of. Which makes him not a kid's pony :( So I guess he's going to end up being my second ride... I feel bad for my son because he won't be able to ride "his" pony for years, but at this point he should be okay to do a pony ride after I've worked Trygg. Not what we had hoped but better than we'd feared. Trygg has been at the trainer's for a month now on full training and done so well, we really want to keep him there another month (with the weather I'm afraid he'll lose everything he's gained if he comes home and I can't ride him during the week). So, since we can't afford full training for another month, we are going to have them ride him twice a week while we come out and ride him another two days each week. Since I can ride there after dark, I can ride him when I can't ride my own at home so I'm not giving up any riding time on my main horse, Loki, which makes it easier. Thank you so much for your reply, it really gives me hope to hear from someone who has been through this and come out the other side. I hope we have as much success with Trygg as you have with Joe, he sounds like quite a character. Hopefully, I'll be boring the list with my updates for a long time too :-) Krissie ________________________________ From: "katesei...@aol.com" <katesei...@aol.com> To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Sent: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 9:15:41 PM Subject: Re: Introduction This message is from: katesei...@aol.com <<I've gotten pretty attached to him, "spunk" and all.>> Welcome to Fjords! I fell in love with Percherons, but they were too big, so I went looking for a draft that wasn't so far to fall off of and ended up with Fjords! This poor list has had a few years now of my little Joe stories, but they are much the same as yours. Brought Joe home without knowing he had been through 4 owners in 6 years. Stubborn, headstrong, and can be quite challenging when he does not call the shots. Unbelievably personable and adorable on the ground and when he agrees with the program. He has become much better since getting to know us, and I would hesitate to send him away for training. I try hard to get trainers who will come to us. After the first year, we saw a marked change in him as he became more trusting that he wasn't going anywhere. He would benefit from a regular job, but we do our best. He's tossed me, and my daughter - but only once out of sheer pissiness, and he gave me plenty of warning. He doesn't like to canter, and will let you know about it. But if you can win the argument the first time, he's a joy for the rest of the ride. Good luck with Trygg - I hope you come to love him the way I adore my Joe! Kate with Joe (basically, the best pony ever) and Della (who is recently proving that she can have a little attitude too) **************Stay in touch with ALL of your friends: update your AIM, Bebo, Facebook, and MySpace pages with just one click. The NEW AOL.com. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom000000 12) Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
