So today I took the plunge and decided I was far enough advanced to get on Stanley my rising 3 Shire/Vanner (Cob) gelding - he is having an operation Wednesday to remove a blind wolf tooth so thought I would have a ride before his recovery period so he can ponder things, unfortunately I can’t upload the video here, Richard Boatwright when you try it only allows uploading of your videos and not from our library! 

Well it went well, went through basics as per normal then put weight in the stirrup a few times, he did walk off but I recall Richard saying it’s not really an issue at this stage, on the 4th time I committed and swung my leg over and we were off! 

Only a couple of minutes riding around or so, a couple of nice 1 rein stops and moving away, he took it all in his stride, lots more ground driving to do as he will be by nature more woe than go as we say in the UK but over the moon with the big lad.

My aim is to once recovered to have him sufficiently backed to bring him to Richard’s clinic in the UK in May to help bring him on, not sure yet if I will be riding or my better half but as I’m more confident than her I decided to throw my leg over today, even though this is the first youngster or any horse for that matter I’ve done a 1st ride on! 

My big worry was I am too big for him at present but he seemed to deal with it all, he is 14.3h and I am 6ft 1”.

Will try to get a couple more rides before his operation 

Just wanted to give some feedback Richard Boatwright on your weekly emails, I like to call them “Richard’s Ramblings” and that’s meant in a complimentary way, really useful incites and quite often thought provoking texts, I for one do appreciate them and I know how busy you are on the ranch and how much time and effort and thought you put into your horses, thanks for taking the time to send out these emails 

Well I started my 2 youngsters on the ES20 Colt starting yesterday, such a contrast between the Vanner cross and Friesian cross, the former is just a plodder and so compliant in everything asked, making him move faster than a walk is a trial in itself but he listens and moved on to bridle and snaffle and worked him well, missed so many cues it was laughable.

Now on to the mare, the opinionated acrobatic, leg kicking, turning on a sixpence speed merchant, so much fun to work around the round pen, naturally turns in but the attention span of a knat, everything is 100 miles an hour with her, a bit of work on the head collar/lead before it got dark.

let’s see what we all digested over night….. I may get my old mare out today to start plugging her gaps also! 

more revision watching videos overnight, thanks Richard Boatwright

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and happy new year, I hope 2025 will be full of enjoyment with your horses, really looking forward to riding with Richard Boatwright next year again and learning from him both in the USA and UK. 

Richard Boatwright 

Quick question Richard, I should have videoed this and may get a chance tomorrow, when I working my yearling filly in the round pen and teaching the code of her facing up and releasing pressure, I am getting the face and release the pressure but she insists on coming up to me when I’m turned away (as join up would be) she is still a bit handy with her hind legs so I want her out of my space, should I be stopping her during her walk up with a open hand or flag (this works) or doing something else, if I let her come all the way up she will stand on my shoulder for a while then move away, I currently am then sending her away to work more. 

Richard Boatwright - quick question Richard, I have a 2 year old Vanner/Shire cross who I will be starting soon, he well handled and been sacked out and saddled but we have discovered he has a blind wolf tooth that needs to be pulled in an operation soon and therefore not able to have his snaffle in for a period until it’s fully healed, would you advise waiting for this to heal or starting him on the program in a halter/reins or hackamore? 

eager to get him ridden away as I have a Friesian/Vanner mare to start after him but she will be rising 2 in July 

Also I’m just starting some roping and so is the better half, any recommendations on videos on fundamentals of roping we can watch?