Over Thanksgiving break, my brother and Nephew came to stay with us.
Saturday, we went to the farm because Shahin wanted to ride :)
YES!! He's 15 and over 6 ft! He is so sweet and kind with animals...it's awesome.
Laz definitely loves his attention and I think remembered him
We worked on some ground manners. Here Shahin is teaching Laz to move out of his space which to Laz, your space=his space on top of you. My rules are, if you want to ride, you work with the horse on the ground as well as groom.
Moments before the bucket was shoved over in it's entirety
He really enjoyed himself. Both of them :)
Helmet on and we did a 15 minute hand walking/riding. Shahin was great.
Laz took great care of him too when he 'accidentally' kicked him to go. Instead of bolting, he just make a grunt and popped his head up and looked at me, like "Um.....won't he fall and please tell him, no kicking!"
I told my nephew that if Laz can feel a fly, there is NO need to kick him. We talked about communication and offering your request to the horse. We worked on squeezes and gentle clucking and leg aids. He found it very cool that he could get Laz to turn by putting his leg on him. We did a lot of that, and stopping and starting. Everything at the walk. Laz did great with his weight on him too, but we didn't push anyone's luck and after 15 minutes, we ended it
The sweetness of these two....Poor Mason, I woke him up but Pudgie slept thru the camera flashing |
Pictures came out great and all very cool!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a good boy Laz. Geeze, 15 and that tall hes going to be mamoth!
ReplyDeleteAw, what a good boy Laz. Sounds like a really nice visit for both Laz and your nephew!
ReplyDeleteI love sharing my horse with others! But I think most of them think horseback riding is a piece of cake! I love Laz's dress! That looks so dashing on him! I am not used to seeing him wearing such a giant sheet of color! Gorgeous!
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ReplyDeleteHow adorable!! I also love your rule that groundwork and working with the horse first (including grooming and tacking) comes before riding! Sweet Laz, what a good boy:)
ReplyDeleteI always love your Mason and Pudgie pictures too (I left my last comment before I realized that was Pudgie with him!). Such cuties.
Kristen, I have been reading your blog for over a year now. I have cried & laughed right along with you. What I'm wondering is would you (& other OTTB owners) do it all again? I do not own an OTTB but am looking at one who has been retired for only a year and needs "retraining." I am an intermediate rider and not as confident that I could retrain as needed. But the price is right on this guy so I'm torn. Would love any opinions. My email is imashopper@comcast.net.
ReplyDeleteThanks and please keep writing!
Lisa
I love Laz and his kind way with your nephew! He didn't like being kicked, but he asked you about it rather than just going. Isn't he sweet? And Mason and Pudgie...two love bugs!
ReplyDeleteOH COOL! get em hooked! I love seeing male riders~
ReplyDeleteMy nephew is 19 and he is 6'1 man..where did that come from?? His dad is like 5'4 and my sister, his mom is 5'8!
Laz...what a sweetie not to just dump and go, when he kicked! Love it that he deffered to you!
Fun!
This is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI love sharing the horses with the kids.
It is so good for them.
I have a toddler great-nephew in NJ who LOVES our pony.
I usually have to ask my daughter's friends to stay nearby for the clean-up after they ride.
Awww looks like they had so much fun!! I admire your ability to explain things and teach people. I find it difficult to explain to people about things that I've known my entire life and that are now second nature to me. Very cool!
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