Lab and I took Gabe on a long walk through the woods on Sunday.  Gabe is so easy going out there and clearly loves to be out in the woods.  He hesitated at the first stream crossing, but remembered quickly and didn't flinch for the rest.  As he gets more comfortable he is looking around a lot more and taking it all in.  It is so much fun to see him enjoying himself. 

I had a great session with Gabe this morning before the sun came up, our usual workout time.  He has finally gotten used to the western saddle, toting it to the river and all.  So, this morning I tied on one of those rubber toys horses play with.  Let's just say Gabe was not a big fan.  He tried outrunning it, out-turning it, out-smarting it,  you name it!  He was completely flummuxed by its ability to hang on to that saddle no matter what he did (bailing twine is a wonderful thing!).  By the end, he reluctantly agreed to walk with all four pointy toes barely touching the dirt and he never took his eye off it.  But walk he did nonetheless!  Calling it a victory for the mammals I released the ball's grip on the saddle and Gabe let out a huge sigh.  I look forward to seeing his reaction to it tomorrow morning.  In my experience, it takes just once with him and some time to mull it over and he's over it.  I'll keep you updated!

 

I had a great weekend with Gabe!  On Sunday my trusted horse and I took Gabe on a long jaunt down to the Patuxent river.  That included braving white and yellow lines on pavement, motorcycles, causeways with water rushing underneath, passing by geese and ponds, walking through puddles, passing through tall corn stalks rustling and scraping against the saddle, cars driving by on dirt roads, mud up to the ankles, and best of all, a stream crossing! 

Gabe took everything in stride and clearly enjoyed himself as his tail swayed and he looked around at all the new sights.  The river crossing was the toughest for him mentally.  To be fair, it had a muddy downhill entrance that he was sure was hiding allegators of some sort.  My horse waited patiently as I applied pressure on the lead until a step forward was taken.  The release on the lead was appreciated and Gabe quickly learned that if there was forward movement there was no pressure on the lead.  It wasn't long before he leapt into the water (maybe 5 minutes), but not before tasting the mud!  He literally stuck his nose in the mud, smooshed it around up over his nostrils, and tried a taste.  That got me laughing pretty good. 

By the end he was finding puddles to walk through!  I think he was pretty proud of himself all in all.  

I had an amazing chat with Jennifer last night, thank you Jennifer!  Jennifer has Julio and Byz and it turns out they are all from the same sire as Gabe.  The importance of that is that Jennifer has seen and lived with Byz what I am experiencing with Gabe!  She saw my post from yesterday and after hearing her stories with Byz, my post probably just made her smile and shake her head.  She has been to the ends and back with that horse to bring him around to rideable.  If you ever get a chance to chat with Jennifer, ask her about training Byz!  My hat is off to Jennifer's talent, patience, and perseverence. 

Turns out this sire of theirs had a bit of a "hot" streak, so to speak, and they have all inherited it in some form or another.  In that streak is an incredibly athletic buck that is used anytime the panic button is hit.  As far as I can gather from Jennifer, the trick is similar to teaching a human anger management.  They need to learn to not go there mentally and, most especially, to come back if they do.  That will take time, patience, perseverence!

I can't even begin to explain the joy I felt when Jennifer reached out to me to ask if I'd like to hear about her experience with Byz.  The best of all is that I have a better understanding of Gabe and where he came from and I know he will make it to the other side of this.  If Byz did, Gabe can!  And just as I thought, the quality of Jennifer's voice when she talks about Byz tells it all - the most difficult to train are the most brilliant partners. 

Sara, the head trainer at Days End, suggested that I be a little more forthcoming about what is going on with Gabe because other people may have similar problems with their horses and could learn from it.  So here it goes . . .

Gabe has proven to be extremely difficult under saddle.  In an odd contradiction, his ground work is impeccable.  He will lunge, he will pick up his feet, you can wave plastic bags, you can put saddles on him, and a bridle, he will back, walk, trot, canter, stand on a tarp, etc., without blinking.  He has never once offered to be malicious or doing anything but try to please. 

Get a rider on his back and it’s like nothing I’ve seen before.  When he bucked me and my husband off the first few times I figured I was rushing things.  So I went back to the ground work and started again.  I brought him to Kent Stough, and Kent agreed he was ready to be ridden based on the ground work that he saw.  I had the vet check him for the cross cantering issue, but also generally to make sure his back didn’t hurt.  I put shoes on him.  Through all the exams and exercising he has proven to be green, but level-headed, and a gentleman.

I have always thought that the most brilliant horses are the most difficult.  It is that spark that makes them incredible once they are willing to partner with their human.  The previous owner of my big grey once put the label “Alpo” on his door and yet he became and continues to be my most cherished companion.  I have no doubt the same will be true for Gabe.  And I am far from giving up!

A beautiful picture of Gabe taken by Jamie Quick!

Gabe got four brand new shoes today so that he can handle the trails without problem!  He was an absolute champ.  Kenny was extremely patient and his easy way immediately put Gabe at ease.  Attached are a few pictures thanks to Sharon.