Mckenna Merrill decently know what you mean, when I’m working the yearling, rising 3, rising 4 then maybe my 15 year old one after another it’s so hard to not think some of them are not progressing when in fact they are but at their own pace, stepping back and analysing the sessions when travelling home helps me put it all into perspective.

That’s brilliant to hear and great job, I look forward to hearing about your progress and I’m sure Richard Boatwright will be delighted to read this and will be able to help further 

Lynn Morrison Thanks for the thoughts on this, sounds like your lad is a real character!

This little girl came to me unhandled and with a real sassy attitude and I’m pretty sure her ears were put on backwards at birth!

She has come on loads and to be fair to her is learning the code really well but she is developing a habit when put under pressure of lashing out and being bargy which I can deal with moving her feet and getting her away from me, we did a bit more today on leading training.

I know what my response would normally be to kicking which can be harsh and direct (referring to meaningful kicks not fresh play) 

I just want to make sure I’m not missing a trick and making it worse, I get those feet moving and make sure she knows my space is mine! 

This mare has agility and moves like none of my others have and I’m relishing her breaking next year but in the meantime I don’t want her becoming dangerous and every time she doesn’t like something she kicks out.

She is a bully and forceful in the herd! 

Yesterdays antics were explained today, the young mare is in season, might only be mid February and cold as ice but she was stood doing her thing for the geldings today! Hormonal teenager so I will cut her some slack although I will admit the more work I do with her the handier she is with those legs front and back, I know it’s a colt thing but I think I’m going to have to address it soon before someone gets a proper whack, suggestions from all would be appreciated! 

Many thanks Lucas Truax looking forward to running him through the ES programs once he gets his operation done tomorrow, might sneak a little ride on him today if I get all the stable chores finished, got high hope for this big lad, never going to be a cutter because of his breed but going to be a steady reliable ride for myself or the good lady! 

Thanks Lynn, much appreciated comments, I was quite apprehensive even knowing the work I’ve put in and his character but it went well.

Got to love these animals as today he was an imbecile leading in and out and my young mare cow kicked me for no reason!

Uploading videos like Lucas has and sharing the link may be the way to go to have them visible here 

As a side note breaking him at 2-3 years old is very much frowned upon on in the UK and I know I will get lots of disapproving views from the English fraternity, 4 is a normal minimum here and most will not be broken until 5-6 years old.

My view is they need a job to do and as long as it’s small amounts  and not jumping or flat out then it can only do their development good 

Katherine Cosper I can only speak for myself but when starting with the feet I go with little and often, I use my hoof pick to tap on the hoof and sole then build up to actually picking the hooves out and making sure they hold them up for this, I know Richard does trim his but that’s far to advanced for me! 

I’ve started using them when I can get the bowline right 🤣

But the looks and raised eyebrows I get from the English riders next door  when I have my horses tied up outside or working them in the round pen, I’m sure they think I’m strangling them, mind they think my mecate and slack reins are the devils work, we won’t mention spurs!