Dakota update:

[FRED]

1st,so many long time NR members seem to have gone:confused:

Anyway,Dakota is doing fine and has been building confidence still more in the strange world of humans and what they expect.
Some humans don't expect,we just get on with things in a quiet way always taking into account just how sensitive horses really are,I can't help thinking a fact more overlooked these days,expect,expect,demand demand,education duh,whats that?.
It may be slow working with a horse like this,but I can't be alone in seeing such a transformation in one horse.Today we were talking that if you were to truly send D away,then heaven knows how long it may take to put right all our patient work.
He has been introduced to a bridal and bit and no trauma,his feet will take time and patience.I think there is a chance he will be able to be riden by August,but no rush.
Im still getting negative coments about owning a young horse,but remember with the right help/experience can only be positive! with the right help,and indeed my experience and Dakotas has been positive.
Due to long hours and work/business comitments I havevn't seen D for two weeks, yep he soon came to greet me and we walked around the field having a good chat:) with no physical attachments,very very proud of him.
he kept guard! and said goodnight and goodmorning:cool:
Here he's just plain curious about what the mad fools up to.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c399/Frederickjames/hellohello.jpg

[Little Dolphins]

Hello Fred,
I'm not a long-time member, but you have to start somewhere:)

My feelings chime with yours in many respects; I don't 'do' as much as with my young mare in terms of training activities, but weirdly enough, over time, she is connecting with me in such a sweet way nowadays.
I think you have to find out what the connecting language is between you both, and sometimes that happens by being quiet, gentle, and consistent. You find your own plan by 'feel', if you're happy to go slowly.

A lady on my yard is getting a bit of flack about owning a baby horse; it doesn't ,to others, look as if she is doing anything with him. But, boy, you should see how he responds to her when she handles him. There's loads going on there.

Lovely pic, by the way.

[FRED]

:) when I started 6 years ago,the riding centre motto was 'you have to start somewhere'

Sounds like you and your friend are doing real good.
There is a lot going on, but its amazing how its easily misssed:)

[nutkin]

Hi Fred
I totally agree with you about taking time with a horse.I have just backed my first youngster.It has taken me 5 months so far and he has just gone out for his first hack last week. I spent months doing groundwork and building up a relationship with him and he isn't even my horse.He belongs to my friend.This is a pic of him being sat on for the first time.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y129/mahali/winfirstbacking.jpg

[nutkin]

oh and other peoples comments were whats taking you so long? Once he had done his first proper bit of 'real work' the comments were...you'll never catch him now he's gonna be working.He comes to a whistle and follows me around the field like a little lamb following its mum when I go out to bring my own horse in. Strange thing is other than me or his owner noone else can catch him at all....I wonder why

[inca]

hello fred, i went to see d and atto last week and they both look fab:D
the change in dakota is amazing he is just so calm compared to what he used to be like before you got him, he was so jumpy and nervous
you and jo are doing a brilliant job:):D :D

[FRED]

Jo is brilliant and has her own ideas with horses that are shared here,its good sharing ideas/stories everyone because there are times the tide seems very much against us, yet the results are speeking volumes from what I read of your stories too.

Sometimes Jo does this:eek: at some of my antics,little quick games with D.

I will never forget my nieces{Jo's} face:eek: when I kneeled at D's side and he put his head right down, chin almost touching the ground full of trust, curriosity and gentleness.

This weekend we loaned a strimmer{thanks Inca} noisely working around and about in the field tackling thistles, were doing no horses training, just cutting back the thisltles ...;)

[inca]

:eek: if you knelt down beside d's brother mikey i am sure you would get flattened!! i think i need you to do some training with mikey as well!!:D

[FRED]

:) maybe one day.I heard Dakota did this too,but he's never ever made an issue out of it.We tap his feet now with the palm of our hand when lifted to get him used to things going on and to build more trust in handling.
I started by just resting my hand on his front leg and letting him get used to it being there,he would turn his head and look at my hand,the begining of getting confidence in his handler.