I started my little yearling endurance prospect ponying
today. My, that was an adventure. First of all, Alpine (the riding horse)
is not the best pony horse in the world. He is afraid of ropes.
But, he’s the only other horse I have, so I told him he’d have to
deal with it. Second, although Merlin is trained to give to pressure with
me on the ground, apparently that doesn’t work the same with me in the
saddle.
This started out with Merlin tied up to the hitching post,
and Alpine being saddled and bridled. I climbed on Alpine, went over to
the post, and untied Merlin. Alpine immediately attempted spinning. I
stopped the spinning Paso, and headed into the pasture that was to be our
practice field. Upon entering the field, Merlin went “WHEE! I’m
free” and tried to bolt. He went under Alpines neck, Al spun and
bit Merlin on the butt. I controlled Alpine, and thwarted the escape
attempt while shouting some rather not nice words at both horses.
We started walking just trying to walk around in a big
circle, and promptly learned that Merlin had “forgotten” how to be
led. I had to drag him. Anyone have ANY idea how hard it is to drag
a year old horse from the back of another horse who is not only afraid of the
rope, but who has also decided that walking is boring?? Lets just say
that I amused my fiancé, who was watching all of this with a great deal
of interest from the fence line. After about 5 minutes of dragging the
baby horse, Alpine did a big sigh, and relaxed, apparently deciding I really
was going to make him do this, and it’d be easier on both of us if he
just cooperated. Merlin on the other had, took 15 minutes of being
dragged before he decided that he could indeed keep up with Alpine
walking. Then he got bored, and started trying to eat my saddle, Alpine’s
flank, my shoes, and once even attempted to chew on Al’s bridle.
Sigh… After about 5 more minutes of walking, I conceded that both
horses were now on good behavior, and quit. Alpine got alfalfa cubes with
his dinner for being a good sport. Merlin got called names. Next
time I buy a horse, I’m going to get one that is at least trained to
pony.
My arms are tired….
Juli and the Herd
Alpine (I can’t believe she made me do that!!!!!!!! )
