Sunday, March 3, 2013

All Around Firsts!

Rocky on the left, Corky on the right
I bet you thought I went to a show and took all firsts, didn't you!  It's not that fancy of an accomplishment, but I was pretty proud of all of us today.  I've never ponied a horse.  Corky has never ponied a horse and Rocky has never been ponied, so it was a first for all of us and though I felt confident it would be fine, I just wasn't sure how it would go.  Some people have told me to pony a horse you need to wrap the rope about the horn, but the first time for everybody I thought it was just better if I held the rope in case things got real hairy I could just drop the rope.  I didn't think Rocky would go anywhere even if he was loose.

I did decide it would have been better if Corky was better trained, especially neck reined trained, because it's hard to steer Corky with one hand when he's used to plow reining, so we'll have to work on that!  Rocky stayed in his place following Corky and Corky was a perfect gentleman trying to understand what this was all about.  Rocky enjoyed himself and got a little bit more exercise today too!  I did find it interesting that I actually had to slow Corky down because Rocky wasn't keeping up and Rocky, as you can see, has much longer legs.  But it was a good day!
Heading out.

13 comments:

  1. NO WAY!!!!! This is wonderful news for all three of you. That top picture should be framed. Janeen, when I was younger, I ponied a lot, and I did not tie the rope to the horn, oh no. In my opinion, that is dangerous. I also just hold the rope. I might wrap the rope around the horn once, depending on circumstances, but I really think it is safer just to hold it. This is a really great idea! I am so glad you did this for Rocky! And Corky sure looks happy about it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've never ponied before but I would agree that wrapping the rope around the horn could be dangerous. If the ponied horse spooks I think letting go would be safer than potentially having your horse thrown off balance or having the saddle tugged. I think you're right - Rocky sure doesn't look like he would go far if the rope fell!! You must have been beaming to have this go so smoothly! Way to go!! Nice to see Rocky and Corky out together : )

    ReplyDelete
  3. We do a lot of ponying here, I pony horses with riders on them the first time they go out on a ride with other horses on the streets and so on. I never tie the lead line to the saddle, instead I hold onto the lead line. I always wear gloves (so that I don't get a rope burn if the horse bolts) and I always tie a knot in the lead line so that it is easier to hold on to and cannot slip so easily out of the hand. Great job, all three of you!

    Karen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Karen! I think wherever I heard that horn tieing ponying was just off. Glad everyone does it the way my common sense said to!

      Delete
  4. I will trie to ponie also hahhahaha...but I will hold the rope and not use the horne...I also do think it's dangerous.
    But to me verry important...I see your horse is bald at his front!mine to!!!do you have any idee why?or how do you handle it....do you use blanket? I tried blankets but then she became balder....now I don't use anything and she gets her hair back.it maybe just happends the time of the year??
    does your horse also gets bald places in summer? cinderella get's them on the sholders....then I use a blanket against flies and UV sunshine because I am scared she burns in the sunshine.can you tell me more about this problem???hope you will now!
    greetigns marjolein

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marjolein, when Corky came to me he had all his hair, but whenever he rubs against something it wears it off, like a breast collar and round bale feeder. The person I bought him from had him on a supplement called Command Hoof and Coat, I think it was. It has vitamin B in it and I want to get that to see if it will grow back. Denise also has many tips on her website Curly Horse Country for mane, tail and coat care that you should check out!

      Delete
    2. I used al the tips off Denise, and I have been spoken her by email and also other breeders.

      I also used hair supplements and I am scared to use a blanket or something else she can scratch to.
      I was hoping you had the awnser for me.


      our horses look a like (skin), maybe we could test something together and check up the values...did you ever toke a bloodtest??

      Delete
    3. Marjolein, I think issues involving the coat or lack thereof is very complicated for the extremes. Ah-D is not extreme, yet his mane and tail hair are very fragile AND fall out easily, and the hair around his tail dock shows wear and tear. It's very different than a smooth-coated horse. A friend of mine had an extreme that had almost as much black skin visible as hair...and it wasn't just during the summertime either! Wish I had some good advice for you, but I don't. Janeen, that is very interesting about the Command Hoof and Coat! Are you going to try it?

      Delete
    4. Yes, I am, Susan. Things are kind of tight with all of Rocky's expenses for his mouth so that's why I haven't done it before now. It worked for his previous owner. I believe she also rinsed Corky off after every ride, which I'm thinking might have helped. Not sure why. But I'm patiently waiting for warmer temps to do that.

      Delete
  5. This is a wonderful story, and great winter pictures! It is so great to see all the - especially young! - talents here!

    ReplyDelete
  6. verry difficult, hope to find some awnser about it!hope the horses will not have problems or coldness....
    one new curly owner told me that I treat my horse badly!but I know I do anything to help and whats good for my horses!

    ReplyDelete