😔 Unfortunately our much anticipated first foal arrived in the early hours of the morning today and we arrived shortly after (cameras) to find it unresponsive as the sack had not broken and it suffocated, absolutely heartbroken to say the least, she was a big filly and colour exactly as we wanted, the wish list was ticked in all aspects.

As sad as it is my thoughts now turn to Angel the mum, can I draw on collective experience of how to proceed in terms of occupying her, bringing her back into work, conditioning her etc

She was ridden lightly before been in foal by myself 

thoughts would be appreciated as this was our first and only foal we have bred and have no knowledge. 

Richard Boatwright really appreciate your input on this also please 

I hope everyone had a great weekend and you're all ready for Monday!😁. Anyone using the ES20 Rope Horse program?  Any feedback?

I was going to post a video but can’t figure out how, so here are a few snapshots from some successful ground driving. This exercise has made a huge difference in this mare! She’s much softer when riding and it’s helped her understand backing 100% better. I think we’re both more confident knowing we’ve worked out a lot of kinks on the ground before doing it the hard way under saddle. Last pic is after a great ride. 

the back cinch caused my horse to buck so i took it off. It wasn’t a big deal because we were just training in an arena. Now she is advancing and i need the back cinch. Should i put it on and just let her buck?

My mare wants to go straight into a trot , canter when I first mount. What am I doing to cause this? Do I need to round pen to run off a little energy at first?

Could use a little help. I have a five year-old gelding that I have been working with for a few months. Great attitude, relatively quick learner (and a good teacher). Just had annual check up and no issues. Recently, he has started pawing after riding a few circles (either direction) at a slow trot. No protest when starting and none ever with ground work (both lunge line and liberty). I am a little concerned about the sweat at his whithers and him being sore there. I tried shimming the saddle a little and that helped some but still same pawing after a few circles. He’d go if I force him, but I suspect he is uncomfortable because he becomes a bit hot (nothing major) when I push. I have tried a smaller, lighter saddle and he did better with that - although I struggled.  

Other factors:

1. No change to riding location.

2. Is grazing more due to available grass (not enough to see weight change).

3. Temperature is ~20 degrees warmer when riding now.

Any recommendations? I have ordered a saddle pad with shims to adjust and am thinking a week of rest, even though I don’t see any signs of lameness/ soreness.

Had a Great few days with the horses since I returned from SC.

I’ve taken Sarge the Friesian back to basics with speed control and moving forward on command and it’s paying dividends as things are getting softer and less pressure to get desired results, a little ground driving which went really well but until I’m happy with this momentum I’m keeping that in the locker.

Stan the youngster is flying along, started the ground driving and he really is taking to it well, moved out of the rubber bit into a French link snaffle and he’s becoming really soft, slight hesitation and resistance in one eye and we are patiently working through it and each day I’m seeing an improvement. 

Due to the imminent arrival of a foal into the herd I’ve let Seeta the young mare go to pastures new, she really was a disruptive force in the herd, all the horses are much more relaxed.

even managed a few rides on the old girls, ditched the mecate for Richard Boatwright’s flat rein set up and wow they are so good to ride with, thank you for the extended length on them Richard, very thoughtful and definitely needed. 

If you don’t have a set, get some is all I can say! 

I did get them for the wife’s horse but she is not getting them now 🤣🤣

Well maybe a set for Christmas 

Hope your all making good progress 

I want to wish all of you a very happy Easter.  We hope you have a wonderful day!

Richard Boatwright at what time do you recommend moving your horse from sniffle bit or a Bosal to a bit like the attached picture.  Also, do you have a recommendation of which bits to use?

Aubrey Isaacson I feel like such a loser🤦‍♂️.  I forgot to tell you happy birthday!!  Will you guys help me to wish Aubrey a happy belated birthday?  It was on the 10th!