27th March 2010

Well I was still rather peeved about yesterday's behaviour so I went to catch Charlot.

Of course, he held his grudge for ages and was hopeless, running away telling everyone how vile I had been. Eventually, he let me catch him when I rounded my shoulders, avoided eye contact and kept him off his food and told him that I wasn't going to give up.

Charlot allowed himself to be led away to the school where I lunged him a bit and with the help of some horsey biccies, he found that life was not that difficult really.

We picked up his feet, did some nice lungeing where he cantered around listening to my every command fairly well. As he was in a speedy mood, we decided to put up a jump for him. We started with a pole on the ground and he trotted over that, jumping it and then the jump went up!

The first attempt was not brilliant but he soon got the hang and getting his timing and distance right. A few poles went down but this did not deter Charlot.

We lunged one of the Icelandics (Haakon) over the jump too and Charlot happily followed him around. After a few attempts, Charlot was going round at liberty on his own, popping over the jump from every direction, enjoying himself enormously.

Perhaps he is a jumping pony. I think we should saddle him up soon!

26th March 2010

No photos, it was pouring with rain, sorry.

We moved the four lads (Charlot plus his 3 little Shetland friends) back to the big field where the Icelandics had been put the day before.

It was pouring with rain but the weather is due to get worse so it made sense really - more snow forecast. I can't bear it but life is much easier when the horses are all in one place where you can feed them quickly if the weather deteriorates further.

Anyway, I had just to lead Charlot while Jo negotiated the hill with her 3 little 'uns. Charlot waited for me to turn back around to close the gates while Jo charged forth across the hill waterskiing. We caught up and all went onto our track. I turned around again to shut the main gate while Jo was led to the main field gate.

It is funny how you think you are in control only to find that this is entirely due to the pony's decision to behave. So, Charlot decided that everyone has suddenly left him behind and he barged past me leaving me hanging onto his rope in an indignant rage. I hate bad manners, he wrenched my back and I hate bargeing.

So, in my fit of pique, I swung Charlot around and told him what I thought of that. I was not happy, I hurt and it was his fault.

I backed him up and made him walk nicely past the gate for five minutes, while all his friends hurtled off to annoy the Icelandics.

Charlot quickly realised that he had to do what I wanted or he would never get to join his mates so he did the bare minimum with grudging boredom. When I was satisfied that he had seen the error of his ways, I let him go to find his friends and he instantly went off sniggering at me.

I think we have reached the Kevin years now. I suppose the fun is about to start. The battle of wills against the unhelpful teenager. Ugh!

7th March 2010

We started our day with the usual brushing, general feet cleaning and chat. Charlot was quite nervy this morning so we were careful not to make things worse.

He pulled his log again but started off getting his back foot over the trace. Jo went and calmly picked it up and put it within the trace and we both marveled at the fact that this time last year, he would not have allowed that, got in a state and made things much worse. So, on retrospect, we have come a long way! You just don't see it sometimes until something brings it smartly to your attention.

Anywho, as I said, he was a bit jumpy and rushing and spooky but Jo just kept control and brought him back quickly to working sense. It didn't take long and we remembered when we long-reined him a few years back while he reared and refused to listen. Taking things slowly and steadily is a good way of training with Charlot. He really cannot be rushed. It is very good that he doesn't mind the traces around his back legs considering he has had a "thing" about us touching them.

After now managing to trot happily around with his log, without batting an eyelid or napping to his friends, Charlot was unharnessed and stood waiting tied up for our next madcap idea. The basket saddle! Be-Anne, my dog, sat on his back for a short while and he didn't care so we put the Victorian basket saddle so he could get used to the feeling of something different on his back.




So he stood there, looking faintly embarrassed and turning back to examine the saddle. He was totally unperturbed so Jo lunged him in walk and trot on both reins with it - not a flicker!

He really does have a lovely trot. I know I keep saying this, but he does!

What a great day!

6th March 2010

We attached the log! We attached the log!

......and Charlot pulled it perfectly happily, like a pro. He didn't spook, worry or anything, just kept plodding around and around listening to the whoosh of the sand being flattened by the wood. He was such a good boy, and listened to Jo all the time.

He started by napping towards his friends who were tied up but we reminded him that they are not his friends as when we took his rug off, they tried to bite his legs when he rolled! He soon got the plot and walked past with his job to do, working and listening beautifully.

We are very pleased with him. He lets us pick up each foot and now even forgets to kick out. He will pre-empt requests for the fronts, lifting them before you even ask.

So pleased and so proud!

3rd March 2010

Well today was a good day. We brought everyone into the school to do some basic training in leading, wearing harness, etc. Charlot is with 3 others to be trained and so everyone was caught, tied up, brushed and their feet cleaned out.

He has been wearing a rug 24/7 and living out in the snow, but is looking in good shape and just right for coming into spring.

So, I brushed his mane and tail and various muddy bits and Jo did his feet. Absolutely no problem. He offered his fronts and there was no issue with the backs!


Jo put on his harness while I took photos and bless him, Charlot even picked up a front foot when she was looking for the girth to do up!

Jo did some long-reining in harness and Charlot settled quickly into his work, walking past his friends without napping and had a lovely trot too. We are training him with no blinkers as he likes to know what is going on before he is happy with what we do. He is trusting us more and more, which is lovely.


After the long-reining, Jo removed his harness and he remained tied-up while we started another. In the meantime, I decided it was time he was backed so I plonked Be-Anne, my terrier, on his back. Jo talked to him, while I picked up Be-Anne, introduced her and put her on his back. Charlot didn't mind at all. With one ear back, he stood calmly stood there wondering what mad scheme we would do next!