Long lining

I've started long lining Deuce and he is being very smart about it! He is starting to understand the concept, but the coolest part is that he is being very sensible, even with all of the tack on him. I started out in the round pen last weekend and he walked, trotted, halted and backed. This week I did a little more round pen work but this weekend I longlined him in the arena and in te field. He is of course a little more hesitant without the security of the rail, but he is starting to learn what the reins mean. He was expecially good today considering that he has not been outside for the past two days due to weather.


Here's a picture I took today, it's not the greatest but you can tell how big he has gotten.

He was bored!

Some professional trainers came out to the barn this weekend to give lessons and I got to ask them some questions about training Deuce. He's good on the lunge but sometimes he acts up and tries to play games. They said that it was because he was bored! I guess he just thinks longing is too easy and wants another challenge. So.......I started long lining him! He can walk, trot, halt and back now with the long lines. He's so smart!

I've started out just in the round pen, but when he masters that I will try steering him in the large arena where he won't have the support of the walls. I kind of feel bad that I was boring him but at least I know now he is ready to move forward. I didn't want to start any major training too early but I'm more confident after this weekend that he is ready for it.

Growing Pains

I haven't posted in a while I know. The weather has not been as nice and I've been going out to the barn only on weekends recently. This past weekend Deuce was being naughty on the longe. He kept trying to switch directions and run around me like crazy. I was getting after him, obviously, then he tripped and fell down and was limping for a little bit. I felt bad for him, but I was kind of glad he had a fall because Ifigured he would realize his naughtiness wasn't getting im anywhere.

Well I went out again this evening and it must have worked because he was great on the longe. I didn't push him too hard in case he was still a little sore, but if he was it was not affecting his movement at all. Hopefully he will continue his good behavior because I really want to start long lining him soon.

I'll post a new picture soon....he's getting big!

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.