Now its a party!

Betsy AKA "Brea"

Checking out her new surroundings

 

Lovely Brea

Can't forget about Cece (and Riah!)

What excitement today! The sun was deceiving; the wind made a cooler day seem frigid. The horses thought that it was great fun to kick up their heels and race the wind gusts around. Boy, were they surprised when a horse trailer pulled down to the barn and out stepped a pretty little Haflinger mare. Now it was a party! Meet Betsy- She is a 5 year old half sister to both Riah and Cece (same sire; Amstrat). Such a sweet demeanor and very kind, expressive eyes. She has the most beautiful mane and a HUGE trot. All three of these Amstrat girls have just lovely movement! Although they have the potential to pursue any discipline in the equine world, I see such great SPORThorse potential in them! Dressage anyone?! Hunter paces, eventing, endurance- you name it! This newbie is going to make a very special mount for someone! Stay tuned as I further Cece's riding and start Betsy in on some groundwork. And, as with all the trainee horses, Betsy has a barn name for while she is visiting, "Brea."

Great Ride and New Baby Pic!!

Yesterday Cece and I had a great ride. I am going to great lengths to instill strong basics so that she will have a very successful riding career! After our ride, she was rewarded with some grazing time in the yard- a special treat since we haven't opened our pastures up yet!
Yesterday, Riah's full sister was born at Promised Land Haflingers! She is adorable isn't she?! Love her facial markings!!

1st Official Ride- 2 days ago! 2nd ride today!

Getting acclimated while being led by Belle.

Loose and fancy free!

Nice lowering of her head

 

I know that it has been far too long since I have been updating the blog, but we have been hard at work! Cece has really settled in here. She loves to hang out with Belle and Riah. When our giant mud puddle dried , she took to playing in the water trough! Every time I enter the pasture, she greets me eagerly. Daily I have been working with her and the saddle and bridle. She has spent a good deal of time being led around the paddocks with me in the saddle by various family members on foot. Belle and my mom have also been kind enough to pony us.
A couple of days ago after Belle (she is such a good babysitter!)was done leading Cece and I around, we detached the lead rope and went solo! Cece has a nice stop and she is moving off my leg well with just a little verbal cueing. Her first ride, she backed 3 full steps for me!!
Today was a no nonsense ride- I lunged her around briefly and climbed aboard. She handled it like a champ despite the fact that being independent and not being able to see me is a little unnerving for her. She startled ever so slightly a few minutes into the ride- a perfect moment for a young horse to blow up or panic because they realize that "There is a rider on my back AND a dragon in the bush! Aahh!" She didn't panic as I expected! She stiffened and kind of mini hopped just once, but within a stride or two she was relaxed again-what a good and smart girl!!! She reads her rider well- if you let her know that there is no reason to get excited, she believes you! I am looking forward to spending some quality under saddle time with this girl over the next few weeks!!

Building blocks

The last several days I have been mounting Cece from the tire and allowing her to walk off a few steps. She has also been led around several times with me on her back. She is improving daily! Although repeating exercises seems boring, I think that it is important, especially with a gloriously sensitive horse like Cece.  Such horses make the most responsive riding partners and can be such a joy to work with!

Snapshots of the day

Who wants to come to my house and groom?!

Cece loves the water(and the mud)!

Mounted Photos Finally!

Cece is licking her lips after considering my being on her- a submissive gesture.

Cece, calmly posing.

 

Yesterday and today were just gorgeous and way too nice to be inside, stuck on the computer. Cece and I have been working hard though! She is becoming more comfortable with me being on her back  and I am able to move around on her and rub my legs lightly along the sides of her barrel. She understands the bridle much better and is giving to pressure well. Yesterday she was stopping for me every time that I asked her to and even backed a couple of steps for me! Today was the first time that I mounted fully into the saddle (up until this point I have always mounted her from the tire, bareback) and was just awesome for it! She likes the security of someone on the ground (horse or human) nearby, but she is growing more confident daily!

Mounted!!

Fantastic day! I full on sat on Cece today. She stood quietly while I mounted and dismounted her (on a completely slack lead rope that I held). Then we went for our first walk off the property! She was absolutely wonderful and relaxed; a trail horse in the making for sure!