First training

Sorry I have not made any updates for a while.  But, several things have happened.  Friday a week ago was a beautiful day and silly me, I thought the weather was going to stay nice a while.  I decided Tadg needed a real good brushing.  I wanted to see how he reacted to being tied and to work all over his body.  I was really surprised at one thing.  When I brushed the left side of his face, he winked his eye every time I brushed around his eye which was to be expected.  What surprised me was that when I brushed his face on the right side, the eye socket flinched as well.  Obviously he couldn't see, but he was still flinching like the opening and closing of his eye.
On Saturday I took him out to play the 7 Parelli games with him.  I was totally amazed at how well he handled all the games with me.  I had to make a few changes such as taping his shoulder on the right when I wanted him to side pass to the left.  Tadg did not seem to mind at all and caught on very quickly to these minor changes.  He even did the circle game in both directions at a walk.  I did not try the trot.  But I was real happy with his responses.  I know he knows the games real well and felt comfortable with the games.
This leads up to Wednesday.  Hannah Buflod came over to work the ponies, so I decided I would have her work with Tadg.  At first all went well.  Hannah played the friendly game and Tadg showed no aversion to the rope being flung around him on both sides.  He also did the circle game at a walk without too much reisitance.  However, when Tadg was asked to trot to the left, all was well, but he could not go to the right.  He wanted to look at Hannah, like he is supposed to do, but he couldn't.  Tadg did a lot of rearing and pawing, but eventually could go half way around.  We took that as a great step since it took an hour to get that.  Tadg will get it I know.  It will just take time.  Hope the weather changes and we can get back to the basics again.  Happy Trails, Marcia

To anyone following my blog, sorry I have not up dated for a while.  I broke my big toe on my right foot and finding it difficult to get everything finished before I was too tired.  Tadg is really doing great.  He is very cautious and does not make Fog and McDuff wait for him to go in the barn first.  He is also very affectionate now.  He nuzzles me when I go in the morning and waits to be petted before going into his stall.  I am anxious to work with him, but I am waiting for the weather to change and there are to be several days in a row of decent weather.

In the meantime Hannah and Houston Buflod are giving me a hand with the others.  They are excellent with horses and young enough they do not mind working in cold weather.  Hannah has been riding Ciaran and Fog.  They both need time with a saddle.  She is such a calm rider.  I love to see her work.  Houston is working with McDuff and Ciaran.  I cannot believe Houston got a saddle on McDuff and rode him in less than an hour.  Like his sister, Houston has a way with the horses.  He looked so relaxed working with McDuff.  Houston has the challenge of getting Ciaran to trailer.  For those that don't know Ciaran's history, he had 2 major trailering accidents and is not real crazy about getting in one again.  If anyone can get Ciaran to trailer, it is Houston.

Tadg is coming along better than I dreamed.  He never gets upset and turns away from me anymore.  I feel many days that I have back my buddy again.  He does not shy much anymore.  If something scares him on the right side, he will stop and turn his head and look with his good eye.  I am sure that is a good indication of his adjusting.  Dr. McFadden of the Lebanon Equine Clinic did an great job and I will be grateful forever for saving Tadg.

I hope to get back more often and hope the weather changes.  Till then happy trails till we meet again.  Marcia