If you were keeping score you know that we have been working on getting Shadow Pony back into riding shape!   He is trained to ride, but it’s been like oh, 5 years since he had to do any work.  And he’s been sort of willing…  tolerant of the short ride visits from Brayden, our friend’s son and pony rider kid.

Today was the first day that we tried a bit and saddle on Shadow, and lets just say that he was not totally thrilled with the upped ante.  Bridle and saddle means a lot more work, at least in his mind.

Now, Brayden had a very successful last ride, about a week ago.  I mean, very good.  Shadow was rather jaunty, no buck, just a good little man.   Definitely a score in the boy category!

Shadow had a point from the very first ride because he succeeded in making it very short and a bumpy ride.

Now, this would have been another point for Boy, but we ah, pushed our success.  He had been saddled up and actually took it very well.  Brayden and Shadow were a pair and they walked all over the place, not exactly breaking any speed records, but the pony lad was very tolerant and did a good job.   Until the end.

You see, I had brought out my camera and Brayden had just finished his little training session, about 15 minutes or so.   And Shadow was pretty much convinced that he had done his share and that they were done.   Bit and bridle were off, just the halter and fake reins.  But Brayden said, lets take a picture of him in the saddle and doing so well.   Haha…  the beginning of the end, eh?

Well, he got back up and immediately Shadow was like… HUH?   More?   And they walked a few steps out towards the chicken coop and we should have known better, but hey, we were enamored with the idea of getting a few good shots…

Well, we got them.   Shadow stepped out from the chicken coop run and immediately did a little rear, which Brayden sat through admirably…  but then it went right into a little crow hop buck, which he was okay with until the laundry line loomed too close and he reached for it and got a rope burn!  Ouch!   And then sort of hopped off, fell off.

Pony 1….  Boy 0.

Now, since I was running over to check on Brayden, who was already standing up and brushing himself off in true boy fashion… a little gimpy and limpy cuz he got kicked a bit on his side when he fell off…   I didn’t take any more photos!   But I wish you would have seen Shadow…  he stood right there silently, with his head down, sniffing Brayden a moment and didn’t run off.   I believe he was just making a point.   Of course, Justin had seen the whole affair as well and was running over…  and gave Shadow a little more to think about the next time he considered bucking!   Justin rode him a few minutes, just walking and turning so that he understood bucking and rearing are not acceptable.   (Justin weighs hardly ANYTHING dripping wet and has worked with ponies and horses for many years…)   After his moment or two, he got off and gave him lots of praise for being a good pony and hugs and all.   Haha… it was funny, Shadow stood there a few minutes and put up with it all, but as soon as we had him unsaddled, he was off to the far edge of the pasture to sulk a bit.

Of course, after a while, Shadow was back being nosey and hanging with us, ready for another day’s lesson.  We’re all learning and it’s a good thing.   Hopefully next time will be a little easier and I’ll remember to take pictures right in the beginning of the session!!

Ponies are so hard to really train properly to ride.   It’s a real problem.   Because most children are not fully trained to be able to break or gentle a pony to ride, the ponies can easily get some naughty habits and thus people think they are mean or bad spirited and all that.  Finding someone light enough and skilled enough to be able to ride them and show them right behaviors is difficult.  We are taking it very slowly, just here and there with some good reenforcement for good rides.  I know he’s pretty cool with it, because most of the ride Shadow’s ears are perked forward and he was enjoying the pats and of course, the cookie at the end.  But I guess he also knows when he’s done!    I have confidence that Brayden’s efforts will result in a return of his memory of the time before!