Haven't had much of a chance to update Tadg's re-education lately, but a few things have happened.  I first moved Tadg into a lot with a young mare, 6 month old filly, 14 year old mini and a llama.  He actually spent his time out there standing by the fence that separated him from the lot I normally put him.  So, I decided to put him in that lot the next time.  I switched out a 2 year old gelding, McDuff and put Tadg in with his buddy Ciaran.  He is happier in there and actually played king of the mountain with Ciaran.  There is a huge pile of dirt in that lot and the ponies like to take turns standing on the top.  I didn't see Tadg on top, but he was standing half way.

When I let him back to his stall, for the first week Tadg would go past his stall, turn and wait for me to point into his stall.  Then he would go into his stall.  It was like I had to show him the way.  Yesterday, for the first time, Tadg just walked into his stall.  He still likes to play hard to catch, even in his stall, but I  am persistent and when I do get him to stop, I pet him a while then leave.  With the temperature getting a little warmer next week, I hope to put a lead rope on him and play the first couple of games with him.  I had hoped to get started sooner, but I must admit I do not function well with such cold weather.

I almost forgot that Tadg is much slower moving in and out of the barn.  Normally, he is in a big hurry to get out and equally eager to get back to his stall to eat.  He is careful about moving and does not spook at as many objects as he used to.  That might change once his confidence is built back.  As Parelli says, confidence comes before curiosity and curiosity comes before learning.

Our puppies are growing.  They are now a month old and eating puppy chow.  They are fun to watch and can be seen at connemaraponies.dyndns.org. and pony is the username and password.

Happy trails till we meet again.  Marcia

A new day!

Yesterday, Jan. 7, 2011, Tadg had his stitches removed!  Doc came over and liked what he saw.  All swelling was gone and it does look a very sunken.  The ridge above the eye seems to really protrude now that the eye has sunken.  Tadg was apparently a little upset over seeing Doc this time and almost ran Doc over trying to get out of the stall.  Once they had a lead rope on him, Tadg was good.  Doc sedated him a little and removed the stitches.
Later that day, I asked Doc about what Tadg can do now.  I have been very careful so far about letting him with the other horses for fear he would shake or bump his head and cause bleeding in the socket.  Doc said it would do Tadg good to get back to normal including riding him.  Yea, like I am going to try that right off the bat!  This morning I opened the door to let him out of his home for the past month and let him out into a  pasture (as if there is grass!) with Cariagh, the llama, Moss, the 6 month old, Paddy, the mini, and Nainsi, Tadg's sister.  I thought of a little toddler who runs in  place before momentum pushes him forward. Tadg sort of jumped in place several times before going through the door.  Once out, he would grab some hay and then jumped around.  He was so happy to be on the other side of the fence.
Now if the weather will cooperate, I will begin a few Parelli games with him just to see if he is listening.  A nice thing about Parelli games is that they are played on the left side and the right side.  Stayed tuned for more changes.
Happy trails till we meet again.  Marcia