Thursday June 30, 2011

This morning I worked with Sweetie and Julie again. Sweetie is still leading on a really light lead. She seems to feel her "safe spot" is right at my shoulder. I may need to work on her respecting my space a little more but I prefer her to look to me as a safety zone vs. a danger zone.
Managed to quietly slip a halter on Julie this morning. Really glad for that long lead rope. We had a bit of excitement until Julie realized I could keep a hold of her in that small round pen with the long lead. Finally got her leading in circles and then a bit straight away. She doesn't lead near as light as Sweetie but she is starting to lighten up. She really has come a long ways since first coming into the round pen yesterday morning.  She will do better with more time and work.

Wednesday June 29, 2011

This morning I brought Sweetie and another 2 yr old filly, Julie, into the round pen. Sweetie continued to do well and seemed to retain most of what we went over yesterday. She still leads with very little pressure on the lead rope and is super easy to work with. She is a very calm filly. This is a picture of Sweetie with the lead rope draped over the panel. I might say here that I use a lead rope that is approximately 15 feet in length. It is just easier for me to keep up with a young horse that is feeling their oats. LOL Sweetie still needs a little more experience with putting the halter on and backing up. Didn't get to work on leading through the narrow openings today but will work on it later.  

I started working with Julie for the first time today. She is a red roan filly that has a nice attitude but is not as people oriented as Sweetie and more business like. She is a bit more determined and just a bit different to work with. She took longer to get calmed down but I was determined not to rope her or force her just yet. I worked for a good long while to gain her trust and finally got to the point I could rub her poll and handle her face. Will work on haltering her and leadin tomorrow. She makes me work for things more than Sweetie but I really think this filly has some real potential. Should be a good durable working horse. Here is a picture of Julie.

Tuesday - June 28, 2011

I started the morning working with a bay roan 2 year old filly. Because of my being on the road doing retail construction some of my horses are not broke to lead, this filly was one of them. Even though she had never had a halter on before this filly has always seeked out human companionship and has earned the barn name of Sweetie. Today she lived up to that name. After just a short period of time in which I brushed her and patted her, I was able to slip a halter on Sweetie. She only tried to get away from me a couple of times then respected the halter and lead rope like an old pro. I led her to her hip a few times to get her feet to move then led straight away. She followed right a long. We worked on figure eights and standing while I brushed her and lifted her front feet. Even went so far as to lift her front feet with a rope and again she was acting like an old hand. Just for giggles we worked on her seeking release from the rope. I would run the lead rope behind her hock and stand on her opposite side. With very light pressure she would follow the lead rope right around and come to me. I am very pleased with the filly and her efforts today.

Welcome to my blog

At the present time I have a picture of one of my broodmares on my profile. While I understand that a stallion provides half the genetic make up of a foal crop the broodmare is also a very important part of the equation. Not only does she raise the foal with her milk but she contributes her attitude to the foal as well. Because of this I value my broodmares and will not tolerate any who have a mean or vicious attitude. My mares must have a good mind and be willing to please people. My grand kids all like to help me with the horses and my wife is my top hand. No horse is worth putting any of them at risk.

I have tried to stick with the cutting bred or cow bred horses. I do have a few mares that are halter bred but seem to have some cow sense. These horses have a good trainable mind and are super willing to please. The bnloodlines of Peppy San Badger and Freckles Playboy have proven to prove the cowiness I want as well as the temperament that I require.

Through this blog I intend to introduce my horses to you and to let you peek into my world as I work with, train, and ride my horses. You will probably meet my family and most likely some of my horsey friends. Welcome to Haines Quarter Horses.