A Purpose

On Monday and Tuesday, I rode Napoleon out across the range over the wide open hills. You could tell he just loved it. It was just great to get out and really travel. It was our first time out of the arena and fields. He is able to tolerate it now that he has shoes. Napoleon was very good and I found him trustworthy and quiet. It's fun to feel him just easily lunge up little hills and embankments with confidence. He also traveled out so nice and straight. No weeble-wobbles like most 45 day horses would have! We ride by ourselves as I don't want him to become dependent on a buddy. He really worked up a sweat easily on the first ride, a good, honest, sweat. After breezing him over the hills and just riding for fun, we did a little arena work and continued to progress in our circles, simple changes, and stops. I rode him in a little shank snaffle on Tuesday and am really reinforcing the neck rein.

Today, we spent three hours in the cutting pen turning back for Zane. I find working the cows really gives a horse purpose. Zane works out of a circle, so Napoleon and I keep the cows circled up and then when they are settled, take the outside and turn back for Zane's horse. It was a great time to reinforce all of our work so far. We even ponied a few horses from the barn. The first one Napoleon wasn't very happy about as it was a recently gelded stallion who kept nosing Napoleon's rump. The other two were a more mannerly gelding and mare who kept up beside him better. He was much happier with them. After Zane was done, we were able to take a cow down the fence and work on just coming through the turn on the fence and accelerating through the turn after the cow. Once we wore the cow down a little, we were very successful at this exercise. So, again, Napoleon had a great day and a great work-out. The muscles on his shoulders are starting to ripple. I should have measured his rear gaksin, as I am sure it has grown with work too.

I also have to add that yesterday, Zayle was able to catch him in the pasture by herself! :)