First Week Done

Horses are known to be fast changers. They have minds like sponges. Riders learn that no matter what they are doing around the horse, they are always teaching the horse something.


But to my utter amazement, Danny has blown me away with how fast he learns!!! I've seen many horses overcome bad habits, learn to trust after mistreatment, and grasp new lessons way faster than we would naturally expect. It's a testament to the incredible nature of the horse; God's unfathomable design. And Danny is exemplifying his Creator's handiwork.


In less than seven days of training, Danny has easily flowed through the first series of lessons. From travelling around the pen in the direction I ask, to turning and stopping parallel to the fence, allowing me to approach and pet his face, shoulders, ribcage, tail and legs, to turning and facing me when I ask, and accepting the rope being rubbed all over his body. Then came the halter, and turning to face me with the lead rope attached and gradually showing him that pressure on his face also was a turn and face me cue. Next came the bridle and bit, and more practice of turning to face me on cue with the lead rope attached to the bit. The rope-rubbing prepared him for contacts with a towel, a saddle pad and then the saddle, with gradual increasing pressure around his girth so that when I fully tightened the saddle and asked for him to trot around the pen, he was unfazed and only reacted with a small jump when the stirrup bumped his shoulder. From there, we began more specific lessons on how to respond to the bit.


While we worked, my sister Melanie practiced cracking the bull whip on the other side of the barn. A very loud, un-mufflered truck rumbled up the dirt road beside the round pen. Neither caused Danny to even raise his head.


The speed of a horse's progression is determined by how comfortable he is with what he's being taught. Danny has shown me only willingness and therefore we're going along quite quickly at this stage. So after less than 14 hours of training, he stood quietly while I pulled on the saddle, jumped up and down beside him and finally put my foot in the stirrup and swung into the saddle. I sat only for a split second, dismounted and gave him a hug. In another session, I swung into the saddle and stayed for about a minute while I used one rein and a cluck to ask for a small circle. He did it! Our first steps under saddle! When he stopped, I dismounted and gave him another hug and a scratch under the bridle.

A couple days ago, while Melanie cleaned his stall, she rubbed his neck and found his 'sweet spot.' While she scratched, he curled his upper lip and swayed back and forth, plainly enjoying the moment.


I've picked up Danny's feet and cleaned them for possibly the first times in his life. His hooves are overgrown, which will be remedied shortly when one of my good friends, a professional natural hoof trimmer comes to help me with his first trim. I know many of you are interested in this aspect of Danny's care and I will be sure to get pictures posted for you.


Till I post again, thank you for your interest and may God richly bless!