It's Dune's 2nd Birthday today! Thought it was a good time to check in.
Dune is nearly finished with his inital saddle-training, and we're very pleased. I rode him last night; our trainers are "transitioning" him over to Jeff and me, but as Jeff and I aren't truly experienced riders, the trainers are training us as much as Dune. Shelly, Dune is a prize. He wants to please; he's so willing. He gets distracted and he likes to keep busy --you can't walk him in circles, or you lose him. But set up some cones and barrels, and work him in patterns --preferably at a trot or easy lope, and he's happy. We save the walking for the end of the session. Our trainers assure us that the day is coming when Dune will be patient enough to stand and wait, or walk circles in repetition (--who wants to do that anyway?--), but those days are ahead, not right now when he's only two. My trainer has high words of praise for Dune each week, and every week the words are more glowing.
The stall next to Ice just opened up and it's in a warmer part of the barn and larger than the one Dune has been in, so Dune got a new home today! I teased him last night and asked, "Are you ready for your big-boy stall?" I love that he's getting this on his birthday!
We took Dune to a show-clinic (overnight) last weekend; he didn't participate, but he had the experience of a different stall and new surroundings. He didn't make a fuss when Ice and neighboring horses departed for the arena. He's very confident. Jeff walked him around the stall areas and into the practice arena both days. Dune saw a few things that concerned him, but he didn't spook. Sometimes he just looked at things sideways, and took one step nearer to Jeff. We asked him to step through a long shallow pool of water -- it looked quite sinister! (not)-- and he balked, but a couple words of encouragement, and he came through. And, you'll appreciate this, he stepped through it somewhat quickly, but not in a mad dash! (Like most Arabs!) He's not given to impulsive behavior.
Our trainers rode Dune out on a trail outdoors for the first time yesterday; we're told he was fantastic--- responsive and calm. I'll send photos soon. I know you're busy with your new foals; hope all is going well for you and for them. Keep up the good work, Shelly; you're producing such handsome horses--great color and conformation, but the work you do in handling them in the first year and ensuring they are people-friendly is invaluable. Dune is a little social butterfly! My trainers are convinced that your early work contributed to Dune's fast-track training and made their jobs far, far easier.
All my best to you,
Robin
Pictures of Dune riding.. practice only not in competition yet.
Dune is nearly finished with his inital saddle-training, and we're very pleased. I rode him last night; our trainers are "transitioning" him over to Jeff and me, but as Jeff and I aren't truly experienced riders, the trainers are training us as much as Dune. Shelly, Dune is a prize. He wants to please; he's so willing. He gets distracted and he likes to keep busy --you can't walk him in circles, or you lose him. But set up some cones and barrels, and work him in patterns --preferably at a trot or easy lope, and he's happy. We save the walking for the end of the session. Our trainers assure us that the day is coming when Dune will be patient enough to stand and wait, or walk circles in repetition (--who wants to do that anyway?--), but those days are ahead, not right now when he's only two. My trainer has high words of praise for Dune each week, and every week the words are more glowing.
The stall next to Ice just opened up and it's in a warmer part of the barn and larger than the one Dune has been in, so Dune got a new home today! I teased him last night and asked, "Are you ready for your big-boy stall?" I love that he's getting this on his birthday!
We took Dune to a show-clinic (overnight) last weekend; he didn't participate, but he had the experience of a different stall and new surroundings. He didn't make a fuss when Ice and neighboring horses departed for the arena. He's very confident. Jeff walked him around the stall areas and into the practice arena both days. Dune saw a few things that concerned him, but he didn't spook. Sometimes he just looked at things sideways, and took one step nearer to Jeff. We asked him to step through a long shallow pool of water -- it looked quite sinister! (not)-- and he balked, but a couple words of encouragement, and he came through. And, you'll appreciate this, he stepped through it somewhat quickly, but not in a mad dash! (Like most Arabs!) He's not given to impulsive behavior.
Our trainers rode Dune out on a trail outdoors for the first time yesterday; we're told he was fantastic--- responsive and calm. I'll send photos soon. I know you're busy with your new foals; hope all is going well for you and for them. Keep up the good work, Shelly; you're producing such handsome horses--great color and conformation, but the work you do in handling them in the first year and ensuring they are people-friendly is invaluable. Dune is a little social butterfly! My trainers are convinced that your early work contributed to Dune's fast-track training and made their jobs far, far easier.
All my best to you,
Robin
Pictures of Dune riding.. practice only not in competition yet.
