We've had some horse changes

[Jenni]

We've done some horse trading around my house. Smokey (Caiden's pony) is a good pony but he is a smart pony and has many years of taking advantage of kids under his belt. As a leadline pony and a following down the trail pony he is great but as a ride on your own pony not so much. Nothing worse than Kelsey experienced with Sofia but the difference is that she was will to work at it and listen to me and practice until she got her to work - Caiden is not. He doesn't want to practice or work at riding and was just getting frustrated. So I decided to have him try riding Izzie. I've had her for 10 years and have spent countless hours on the trail with her. She was also my main mount when riding double with Caiden and she loves kids and she neck reins and has a good whoa. We went to my favorite state park to ride Saturday and Caiden and Izzie did really well. He had a little trouble with her wanting to eat along the trail but I switched bits part of the way through the ride and it seemed to solve that. We rode for about 1 1/2 hours with very little complaining. If this works out we will rehome Smokey and I think I already have a home lined up for him with some friends of ours.

He was so happy to finally be the "line leader" instead of following.



Kelsey also got a new horse. She and Sofia hit a rough patch a couple weeks ago. Kelsey wants to go faster, Sofia is not necessarily a fan of running - Kelsey really has to push and was starting to get frustrated. She's also going to be about grown out of her next year and I don't have a suitable horse for her to compete on - mine would still be too much for her. So my friend who owns the arena/riding stable offered me this little mare to try. "M&M" is around 14 hands, 14-15 years old and probably an arab x. My friend bought her to replace an old mare that she has on her trail stable but M&M isn't quite ready to be out there with the tiniest kids. She is just "amish" broke and needs more work on the fine points of riding and luckily is big enough for me to do that for Kelsey. So my friend loaned her to us for now. She will take her back when we are done with her and that point M&M should be ready for her trail stable so Win-Win for both of us. So far it seems she'll be a good match for Kelsey. Saturday was her first real trail ride with her and it went great, rode in front, middle, back, crossed the water. On our ride Kelsey was excited that she was able to move M&M over using just her leg. I plan to keep Sofia for now, we have a 2 1/2 year old niece who loves the horses and Sofia will be the perfect pony for her in a couple years. 





They wanted to cross the water first. I could hear a car coming on the road on the other side and told Caiden to stop before he got to the road and he was able to easily do so and wait for me.

[Idaho Linda]

That is the problem with ponies. You found some great ones, but the kids keep growing. It looks like your solutions are working out fine. Nothing better than horses you know and trust. For the eatting, remind Caiden that he also can tap Izzi forward with his stick instead of just pulling on the reins.

Next year Kelsey is going to be tearing up the arena on one of your other horses. This will be a great transition mount--and she is pretty to boot. I am glad everything is working out so well.

Your updates always make my day. Thanks!

[Jenni]

There is an over-under attached to his saddle. I told him to use it but he didn't want to. So then I rode behind her and whacked her a couple times with mine when she looked at the grass. She suddenly got over being hungry.

[Marci]

Sounds like they are growing up, the only problem with ponies, they don't grow with them. 14 hands is perfect size. And wow all that color. They sure look happy.

[Jenni]

She fits into all our pony sized tack too!

[KarenN]

Big Smiles Here!!

[Yip]

Looks like you're easily getting past the roadbumps. Everyone looks so happy, and that's what it's allabout!