Hooray! Our first backing!

It was a big day, everyone! I've been feeling pretty good about all the progress Gobie and I have made together, and was feeling pretty good and motivated generally. I thought today would be the perfect time to try sitting on Gobie for the first time--and an excellent way to say goodbye to 2011 and look forward to 2012.

Sam came along for this visit to make sure I didn't die, even though I assured him I wouldn't. As soon as Gobie saw me he came up to the fence, ready to work. We started things off low key with some grooming.

 Feels pretty good, right?

He was rather muddy, but it was at least dry muddy. I had a leadrope on him, and some rope reins. The sky was looking kinda cloudy and ominous, but it was rather warm for almost January.

 Hamming it up for Sam.

We first did a couple of exercises: lounging so I could gauge whether or not he was feeling particularly energetic, and then some yielding exercises to see how well he was willing to listen. He was a pro at everything, so I was encouraged.

I'm really glad we have such a great rapport, this pony and I. With all the paling around we do, I think we're both able to get a really good read on each other. That's important, especially when it comes to trust. When it comes to doing new things having a history of being well-meaning buddies buys you a lot of leeway.

All the same, I was pretty cautious about this next step. I've been a little worried that I would be too big for the pony--height and weight wise--and I didn't want to jump on and injure him. I realize this is kind of silly--smaller, stocky horses have carried full grown men around, after all. But I didn't want to lose some of the goodwill between us by doing this part wrong. So, as we were by the fence for grooming I started messing around a little bit: standing on cinder blocks, leaning over his back, giving his topline a good rub, and stretching my leg over his back.

 We're both like, "I don't think this is how it's supposed to work."

Gobie of course took all of this weird stuff in stride, so it was time to make an actual effort to sit on him. I think he was starting to get a good idea of what was going on.

Sticking his tongue out, his opinion on the matter?

There's a mounting block in the work area, so I dragged it on over. I had planned to get Sam to hold the lead rope while I had the rope reins, but I ended up using both. Gobie was little worried about the mounting block, but after he let out a sigh and got a treat all was well.

 Approaching the mounting block.

 Getting him into position...

For a horse it's weird to have a person towering over you, so even Gobie being relaxed about that was great. It's a sort of survival mechanism for horses to be leery of having something over you--think of a cougar jumping down on you from a ledge, or a lion jumping on the back of a wildebeest. It's pretty amazing that horses learned to carry humans at all!

It's not uncommon for a horse to want to move away after you've lined them up to the mounting block for this reason. You don't want them to do that, of course, because having one foot in the stirrup while the horse is moving is a good way to twist (or break!) an ankle. But Gobie didn't do any of that here. Back at the fence line he did try moving away when I was leaning and patting on him, but I turn him around at attention, and that got the message across that he shouldn't be moving away.

Back at the mounting block, standing nicely, I gave him a treat and...

 Getting ready...

 First leg over...

 Easing on to his back...

 Finally on!

What an attractive pair, right? He stood so patiently and attentively--his ears pricked in my direction waiting to hear what I wanted him to do. To be fair, I only had my full weight on his back for a moment but keeping it short and positive was important to me. I hopped off (beaming!)

 We did it!

Looking at the pictures afterward I'm happy that we don't look too mismatched for each other. That is to say, I don't look too big on him or anything. My feet aren't comically dragging on the ground and his back doesn't look swayed and over burdened. We look like we could go for a brisk trot in the woods, or over some misty highlands.

We didn't do that, though. Instead I got Gobie a treat from the feed room.

 Being nosy.

After a job well done, a little bit of black oil sunflower seeds, and multivitamin was well deserved.

om nom nom!

I let him back with this pals in the paddock, but he was still hanging around the fence line for us as we were getting ready to go. So I gave him one more treat.

Such a great way to ring in the New Year! I don't expect us to be riding off into the sunset any time soon, but I am looking forward to what lies a head of us. Like getting my hands on a saddle! 

Regardless of what the future holds, I'm really pleased and proud to have such a great horse.

Chilly Visitor

Last weekend I missed going to the pony all together because I was building a feral cat shelter. But I got to visit today, and hopefully will be able to get in another visit or two before this holiday vacation is over. Speaking of the holiday, things were cold and festive as always at the barn.

I always forget that it's like ten degrees colder at the pony than it is where I live. It's not that far away, and I don't think the elevation changes that much, but wouldn't you know it my fingers are always freeeezing in a couple of minute. I spent the time mostly just leaning over the fence, playing with Gobie and warming my hands up in his fur. He was pretty muddy, but looked comfortable.

I love how he looks so silvery and velvety this time of year. We hung out for a long time just messing with each other over the fence. It's nice to know when a horse appreciates your company. I even played with his ears a little bit. He didn't protest one bit.

Of course, he was pretty busy shaking me down for treats. At one point he had his fuzzy muzzle pressed to my face. But most of the time, he was busy slobbering on my coat trying to figure out how to get into my pockets and find those peppermints.

This is also how I get pony snot on my coat. I thought he had a little bit of a runny nose the last time I saw him, but there was nothing going on this visit. Good! He's always been a sturdy pony which I appreciate. None the less, I had brought with me one of his Christmas presents: a multivitamin in grain form. I figure it wouldn't hurt to give him a little extra help in the colder months. Plus I knew he'd like having another thing to eat. I mixed it with a little black oil sunflower seeds and let him have a nibble.

On a non-horse related note, the horse farm was busy with wildlife today! First on my slow roll into the driveway there was a hawk perched on the fence. It was really close and right at my line of vision. We just kind of looked at each other as I rolled by. The Second was a visitor to the treeline:

In case you can't spot him, he's circled in purple here:

It's a red fox! Bonnie had mentioned that she sees them sometimes, but this was my first encounter. He was well away from the horses who were all standing up near the house by the fence line. He was trotting along under the trees, looking purposeful. His coat blended in so well with the color of the pine needles on the ground, I probably never would have seen him if he wasn't moving. He didn't stay very long, but it was a rare and wonderful treat.

Winter coat

Brr, you guys! It keeps getting COLDER. It was 27 degrees today at the barn and you could tell--everything was frozen! It had rained last week so the ground was wet and squish, but thanks to the cold temps the ground froze solid into jaggedy angles. If that wasn't enough, the well traveled path along one of the paddock fence lines had deep hoofprints in the mud which then froze in place, filled with water, and froze into puddles!

 Frozen foot steps.

 Close up!

But even though it was so cold, it was still a nice visit. The air seemed a little hazy with tiny ice crystals hanging out in the sky.

Chilly, and beautiful.

I hung out with Gobie in the paddock with the rest of the horses. We didn't do much. I groomed him with my hands a little--he was super fuzzy and a little dusty but most importantly he was happy and cozy. Warming your hands on your horse is the best.

Bonnie wasn't around this visit, but Cinder's person came by so we ended up chatting for a little bit. Cinder has a runny nose--the vet thinks she's got a little bit of a cold--and has been on some antibiotics. I noticed a little runny nose on Gobie, but it was pretty clear. Cinder's lady said Bonnie was being vigilant about the other horses none the less. Tis the season for all of that nonsense, I guess. I'm always impressed with how busy Bonnie is around the place. I noticed she also put up a snowflake on the barn--cute and so appropriate for the weather!

Let's end on a warm note with a video of me petting Gobie and his luxurious winter coat:

Cold, relaxing

We took a break this weekend after doing all that exciting stuff LAST weekend. The weather is getting colder, but it was still nice to sit down under a tree and relax.

Looking for treats...

The fuzziest ears.

Prancing off!

Looking over the fence.