My next equine project horse

AdorableAlice said:
An update from the breakers. All privileges removed including his friend and his large paddock. Head collar on, severe talking to and a tin opener as a present. I am assured they make tins big enough to get Ted in.
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Uh oh naughty ted! You should have lent them Martha she would have sorted him out!
 
AA you need a word with Hovis about the power of the feathers when it comes to jumping! Have you not seen the polo shirts now available? "Powered by feathers since 2007" :) :) :)
 
Highlands said:
Was very impressed with his cross poles, saw it on FB!
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You mean that there are pictures out there of Ted leaving the ground and they've not yet been posted on here?

*Stamps foot impatiently waiting for pics*

Also, whilst I'd normally go for the fully trimmed, hogged and clipped look, (which I think Ted would carry off very well), somehow Ted looks so good as a traditional so I would be very tempted to leave him hairy. He is awesomely eye-catching.

Has Hovis been in touch with him lately :) ?
 
We are just off to see the furry fool. Camera at the ready. Hopefully the weather calms down, we have had some rain and wind here. I young friend exercised the barge horse this morning for me and returned looking like they had upended in a lake. I made OH return her to her parents I was so ashamed of the state of her ! Barge horse is drip drying in my precious thermatex, it will be curtains if she has eaten it.
 
Bright spark here had a flat camera battery, brain dead me.

Just two pictures from the first moments of ridden work, traffic training. That mane is a mess.

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Yeah, my Shire-TB is no slouch, even at 22. Some years ago, after the fireworks and silliness of her misspent youth, she and I came to an understanding; she is generally very well behaved and a lovely ride. Hopefully Ted will get there. He seems well on the way.

That said, I was p$$ing myself when I heard that a fellow livery, who had overhorsed herself and was searching for a really quiet horse, had stated that if my horse were a bit shorter, she would make me an offer. She ain't as quiet as she looks, but I took it as a compliment that I can make her seem that way.
 
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Molly'sMama said:
Look at the difference between the first photo posted, andthe most recent.
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Amazing, all credit to you AA
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You are very kind but it is a team effort that has kept me, him and the others going. I look at the early pictures and the now pictures and remember my thoughts on the day he landed with me. Standing there with a terrified and rather large hunk of horseflesh who refused point blank to unload and needed veterinary assistance to get him off the lorry. My dearest friend and vet telling me the horse was going to be a special one, as she sedated him and gave instructions to pick him up and carry him down the ramp.

Three years have flown by and sure enough he has turned into quite a handsome cart horse. I have forgiven him the multiple times he has trodden on me, tried, quite successfully at times to remove several of my fingers in a panic session, sprayed me in **** and made me cry in frustration. I still smile when I remember sitting in my chair with him dribbling on my bald head when I was so ill all I could do was sit and watch the horses, despite being a twit he knew something was wrong and managed to be careful.

I had a long chat with his breakers last night and thoughts at the moment are to carry on with the slow and gradual education with the hope Ted will do a few mornings with hounds in the autumn. Then he comes home to be turned away for the winter, not ignored as such, tacked and got on at the weekends, but generally allowed to grow on again, he is not four until the end of June this year and although willing and enjoying what he is doing there is no way he can be rushed or any assumptions made with him.

I have to lose weight and get fitter to be capable of riding him. My confidence is far better when I feel fitter and confidence is key with Ted, if I have a meltdown on him it is guaranteed he will have a bigger one ! The breakers are teaching Ted to accept having someone slide down his shoulder slowly during the dismounting procedure. They just spring off him, my spring is bust and I slither off and land in a groaning heap. Husband has been given orders to built a large block that I can use to get off onto. Maybe I should ask the breakers to teach the creature to kneel down like camels do ?

Thank you for the good wishes and encouragement.
 
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Digger66 said:
He is looking fabulous. Can you not teach him to pull logs or, I'll whisper it, a cart, so he can be useful round the farm?
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He was very nearly sent to be broken to harness before saddle, so yes it is a possibility. I would like to drive him, our lanes are reasonably quiet but not sure quiet enough to drive around.
 
I dont think Ive commented on this thread before but I just wanted to say 2 things. Ted is stunning, absolutely my type of horse, and secondly, how nice it is to follow the story of a horse being taken through all the stages of learning, no rushing, no shortcuts and listening to what he is telling you. I dont have the confidence to bring on a youngster or the funds to pay someone to do it properly. I do have the sense to realise the fact though and have bought a horse (well a large pony actually) that has already been educated properly. I can tell hes been educated and handled properly because if I treat him firmly and fairly he does as he is asked, he is a highland so very strong and would easily be able to walk all over me, literally. He doesnt though, he has manners and a beautiful nature. If I explain what I need him to do, he will do it willingly. Going forward, whatever Ted does and whether he stays with you or not (I dont know the whole story and what plans you may have) he will be the most lovely horse for someone, well educated and polite, in a big horse, essential! A lovely story to follow x
 
'He must be safe in traffic' was my final comment when the furry fool was kidnapped a month ago. For a horse that is frightened of his own shadow, it was an almost glib comment.

Today he tackled the A449, an incredibly busy, even on a Sunday, main road that feeds the M5. He has been stood outside watching the traffic a few times and today it was a big ask to hack on it. With his wingman Parker as back up I watched Ted go out into the traffic. Within minutes I wanted to run into the road and scream at the traffic that they were all a load of idiots. Absolutely no sense was shown by most of the motorists, some skimming under the stirrup irons, some flying past at 50 plus mph.

Apparently this is normal and never changes. I realised that the two busy hours I have at home on our lanes, morning and evening, pales into total insignificance.

Ted soon walked past his wingman and led confidently, he had a little peep at the double yellow lines, we don't have them at home ! and thought the yellow 'BUS STOP' written on the road was a tad suspicious. When we arrived back at the yard I was in need of a large gin and a sit down. I was only watching !

Ted's girlfriend Little Alice has been backed now and is being ridden on the lunge, we have some steering and she is going forwards off the leg. Today was day 5 and she decided she was footsore and threw a sickie.

Waiting for a gap in the traffic and posing for the camera.

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Pesky double yellows

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Leading his wingman, they turned right across the traffic and a dog hurled itself at the fencing, Ted ignored it. I could be one of the dreadful proud mothers just now !

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Oh wow, doesn't he look fabulous.

It's wonderful to read about your youngsters being brought on at the right pace for each of them, with the right approach for each of them.

True horsemanship.
 
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