Stephen Gowling

Bishop Auckland, United Kingdom

Englishman trying to ride western!

Jan 17 at 10:57 AM

Katherine Cosper haha these accidents do happen, great looking colts and good luck with them, look forward to seeing the progress 

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Jan 17 at 08:43 AM

Richard Boatwright yes that was evident today, worked the code on Stanley, did some work with the bit and rope then some ground driving, went ok to a degree but nothing like the success with Mooney (but she is 15!) he was struggling with the forward motion being a lazy cob/shire so going to step it back with him to get that forward motion installed in him on ground work. 

Wish he had Seeta’s drive, she was a fire cracker today again but some really nice working of the code, rugged up again and walking about, some quick fire work in pawing and very slow introduction of the bridle, found a resistance on her left ear area so working through that.

No time for the others as the shoot was on today and they use our field so working them with guns going off is a wreck waiting to happen…..

tomorrow is another day.

I think a master class in ground driving is needed when I see you in April, to many ropes and not enough hands 🤣🤣🤣

Jan 16 at 10:50 AM

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Lastly my big girl Mooney, saddled up, bridle on and ground driven, absolute star, drawing back, yielding to lightest pressure etc 

just need to work on her forward motion more and flexion to soften her more before I start the 20 day program on the snaffle bit and also want to introduce the roping aspect, although lack of cows is an issue 🤣🤣

looking forward to getting back in the saddle as it seems ages since over ridden anything because of the weather

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Jan 16 at 10:43 AM

Next up was Sarge who was his usual self acting a clown and not really listening to me as he thinks he knows it all, a real problem child I’m having to bring back into work (long story for a 3 year old) as he is the better half’s idol, such a big lad so I’m trying different things to engage him as he’s dull to the flag unfortunately and inherently lazy, decent results in the end, saddle back on tomorrow and some flexion work to focus him back on to work

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Jan 16 at 06:41 AM

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Day 1 again for Seeta the yearling, absolutely exploded in the round pen (will get cameras setup tomorrow as new 5g router installed today) 

Great fun working her, soon responded to cues, flag and giving me the attention after some air for the front and back legs!

walk around the farm yard learning her space which went well and then rugged her to stand for a while.

may introduce the bit tomorrow which will be fun, I have introduced her to mouthing the lead rope which went ok.

I’m sure this girl will give Ike a run for her money in terms of sharpness 

I really need to remember she is only a yearling despite her size 

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Jan 16 at 06:36 AM

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Day 1 restart after the break for Stanley, worked well in the pen and had some nice soft reactions to rope through the bit and following the flag, good walk around learning space through the farm yard and left to stand for a while, ground driving tomorrow for him I think 

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Jan 15 at 11:34 AM

It certainly is, just tag Richard Boatwright in your questions

Loads and loads of excellent videos to watch in the catalogue here that no doubt will answer so many of your questions and give helpful advice 

Welcome to the community and the start of your journey, we will need to see pictures 🤣👍

Jan 15 at 06:55 AM

Well we are well and truly thawed now and round pen nearly drained, work restarts tomorrow for 4 of them! 

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Replied on Prestarting Luna

Jan 12 at 03:08 AM

Richard Boatwright no I missed this one, thanks 

Jan 11 at 09:11 AM

Richard Boatwright really do wish it was, thaw coming Monday apparently but for now it’s subzero and we have no water, running backwards and forwards with containers from home now we have emptied the emergency winter bowsers, I’m sure the horses appreciate it having their servants doing the extra chores!