Monday, February 25, 2008

But how can you fault him?

He thinks he's really fast. And I love to watch him canter....I always have from almost the day he was born. But he really isn't THAT fast, it just makes him happy to think he is.
But this is the canter that makes me want to be in a hurry for him to get old enough to ride. It's balanced and a lovely rocking horse.
He still knows how to sweet talk his mom.....he is still the only horse she will tolerate getting in her space. She rules the roost, except when it comes to her darling son.....the Samster. Can you tell they are related?
And he is learning to strike a pose. Could he get much cuter?

Herd Dynamics

When Sammy was first introduced to the other kids after his stall confinement days, he was shy and low man in the pecking order and most often the odd man out. Those days are gone and they are really their own herd and good friends and playmates. They will share their water bucket and all is well. But somehow over the months, Sammy has climbed the ladder and now is a bit of a ..... shall we say......pain in the tush for the others. He has discovered his inner Quarter Horse and is learning to cut them like a QH would try to cut a cow.
Of course he's not really that speedy and has to use any advantage he can get. He will pin his ears and threaten then cut in front and slam on the brakes.
He seems to think this is a pretty cool trick. Too bad Vantage doesn't enjoy it quite so much.
And then there's Masquerade....she is used to being the boss mare (young though she is) and she still tries to excercise her authority, but Sammy is trying to perfect the Quarter Horse technique, even if she is a hand or so taller than he is. He doesn't care.....he can reach and get some air time.
Now how sad is this? He has a puny little buck so he thinks he can practice behind the tree and no one will notice. Goofy little man. He's getting a little big for his britches .

Monday, February 11, 2008

Sammy has a hero worship thing for his big "brother" Noah. He likes to stand and watch him in the other pasture and tends to be at the fence with him when he can. Of course that doesn't stop him from clacking his baby talk (when do they stop that?) with him and getting in the occasional chomp just among family. Noah is a very sweet laid back soul and usually is pretty tolerant but he did finally chomp back on him and put him in his place....Horray for Noah!
And look, Sammy is hiding his head in shame.........not really but it's a pretty cute picture anyway.
We're working the standing still and posing like a model baby. My goal is to not be laughed out of the ring during his big Hunter Breeding debut.....with them whispering.....poor dear, doesn't she know they shouldn't be here!
But I look at this sweet face.........and all is right with the world.

Saturday, February 2, 2008

He's coming along!

Today was his day to attach the reins to the bridle. I don't know what I was expecting but, it was no different than having a lead rope. He is getting very good at listening and is learning to walk when I walk and trot when I ask him to trot.....and boy can he trot. (and I found out he can also canter while I jog.) Allison trotted him today for the first time for me and I got to see him coming at me straight on. His legs are straight as an arrow with the backs nicely in line with the fronts. And then from the side...................wow. He was moving out today and it made my heart stop. Mistakes he made the day before, were not repeated today....he is coming along!