January 1, 2003

We started out and tacked up just before dusk. A friend of mine had called late and asked to meet me half way. So I wrapped up my leg with elastic bandaging took a few Motrin and hopped up in the saddle. (Yes my leg, and back, AND head ache were all caused by Saint)As we left the drive way I began asking him for the correct head position. He would drop and curve his neck when I asked, but then return to the before hand position. His neck is quite badly uneven. The bottom muscles of his neck are over developed, the top muscles under developed.

As we were crossing the bridge a car came up from behind. It was my mother coming to tell me my friend had had to cancel. Her horse was acting up and wasn't safe to ride. My mother also handed me a flashing bicycle light in case I still wanted to go riding. --They are quite nice to put on the back of your saddle when riding in the dark. I always put mine on flashing mode.-- When I got to my friends barn it became obvious that her horse was in heat.

I un-tacked Saint and began working him in hand while we waited to see how my friends horse acted. Saint bowed quite nicely, bending both of his front legs. He put even weight on both and strengthened his shoulder muscles.

We re-tacked Saint and my friend held him while I got up. (I was having trouble bending or using my legs) Once up we trotted toward home. Keeping his head in position became harder due to the fact he was sure that the woods were out to get him. Coming over the hill before our house, once he was warmed up, I nudged him into a mellow canter. As we reached the top of the hill we slowed to a walk so that Saint would be cool when we arrived home. Stopping in our driveway I made Saint position his head correctly before I would get off.*

Today I just brushed Saint in the run in. The weather was horrid and my leg was killing me. Even still I asked him to bow before I would give him his grain. He is getting pretty flexible. I discovered the reason my leg had been hurting so bad was because the muscle had separated from the fall.*

January 8, 2003

Today once again I simply took Saint out and groomed him. Though I also worked with him on his tricks. Walking into his run in I carried the newly obtained black halter. I walked up beside him, speaking gently and ran my hand along his neck. His coat was long and warm. Ok, so the halter didn't fit to well. I was only going to be grooming.

I opened the door and led him out into the main part of the barn. Clipped him to the cross ties and started grooming him with the Mud brush. I started at his shoulders, and worked back to his rear, then down to his legs. You wouldn't believe all the weird stains a white horse will acquire. Though in reality he isn't white, there has only been one true white horse in Arab history.

Once all the mud was off I found my long lost face brush. It is a small red brush that can fit in the palm of your hand. (If you have rather large hands.) with super soft bristles. Saint tossed his head at the thought of being brushed in the face. He has never liked having his face touched, but he is getting increasingly better. For a short time he pawed the ground and held his fool up in the air. I sternly said, "No". He didn't listen so I repeated in a some what stronger tone. So I smacked him across the chest. I only had to do this twice before he was putting his foot down at the first "No".

Then I undid the cross ties and asked him to bow. Not as low as I'm hopping he would go, but still a good effort. You can't push them to fast at that sort of thing. I than did some voice commands. "Come here!" and "back" were the two I used today, along with hand cues. He did both splendidly.

Seeing he was such a good boy I put him away for the day. I hope tomorrow goes as good. I also hope to be back up on a horse pretty soon.

January 9, 2003

Today I worked Saint on his tricks again. Not being able to ride is a bugger, but at least there is plenty of bonding time. Saint has gotten his bow down fairly well. Now I'm going to teach him to Kneel. I'm starting tomorrow and can't wait.

January 10, 2003

Heading into the barn Saint came right up to the door. I guess he is starting to look forward to training for tricks. I slipped the black nylon halter over his head. Then led him to the cross ties.

Once there I began to groom him. He didn't throw his head this time when I brushed his fore head. He didn't paw either. So I'm assuming he is getting used to standing in the cross ties. He did the same thing last summer.

Then I unclipped the cross ties and began trick training. I managed to get him down on one knee once. But won't push the issue. He did a very good job. Now what on earth am I gonna do with his tail??!!