Small Steps

I hung out at the barn this weekend and groomed Deuce. I actually got him to stand for the clippers -- it's about time!

I am excited about Friday because a professional trainer is coming to give free lessons. I get a private one since noone else has a young horse that is not broken in. I want to get some tips on in-hand work and long-lining so hopefully he will be helpful.

Here's a cool picture I took last weekend.

Chill out!

It was so freezing cold today so I just stayed in the barn and cleaned tack. I always love having clean tack but I don't take the time to clean it often enough. After I was done, I decided to just groom Deuce and try to use the clippers again. I had some clippers that were really really quiet so I thoughthe would like it better.

But....Deuce just really does not like it. He's usually good with new things, even if I have to get after him a few times, but it's taking him a really long time to get used to the clippers. He really just does not like anything happening around his head and I think the vibration from cutting the hairs is what bothers him especially. I was able to get him to stand still today while just touching the clippers to his face, but he would freak out at any more than that. I managed to cut a few stray whiskers off, only if it was accompanied by his favorite treat though!

The beginning

Deuce's real name is ACT II because look! he looks alot like his dad.

His barn name is Deuce, Baby Deuce, Deuceypoo, or anything similar. I've worked with him tons since I got him, but when he first arrived he was kind of nervous even just being in the barn.

Since then he's learned lots of things babies need to know like: how to stand tied, how to stand for the farrier, how to lunge, what the saddle feels like on his back, what the bridle feels like in his mouth, and most importantly just how to be a horse. I've tried to get him used to mane pulling and the clippers, but it's slow going; he just does not like it.

Today when I lunged him he was awesome! Deuce is a late baby, so he's really only just turned two this past August, but he's so smart that I just want to keep teaching him new things. I started out free lungeing him today and he was very attentive. He listens to walk, trot, canter commands, but he's still working on "woah!" :) After I lunged him I even did some in-hand work. He was a little confused at first but he eventually figured out how to step his hind leg under himself! What a good boy! Because he's grown alot since I got him, here are more pics.

This picture was taken about 6 months ago. The horse behind Deuce is his full brother! Pretty cool huh?

This picture was taken about 2 months ago. It was the first day I put a saddle on him. As you can see, he really didn't care at all.