2018 has begun and with that we have a new start!
The year started out brutally cold therefore Prophecy was left alone beyond a farrier appointment the first and a quick hello later that week ; he was mostly untouched until Tues the 9th!

Got a new winter riding jacket to cope with the cold!

On the 9th he began his work with Erin, a much warmer day in the 40s that afternoon.  He quickly picked up from where she left off on our evaluation day, reading her energy better and not assuming he knew what she wanted next nor any ‘meltdowns’ over getting it wrong. I was there to observe only and take pics/record video, of course asking questions at the end and getting the run down of what she was working to accomplish.  He was “sticky” on the left hand turn and she spent a lot of time working on that aspect as well as getting him up next the to fence panel without shifting his rear end out.  There was also a little work with a saddle pad.

Things learned that day – his comfort zone is with you next to his head. When you stand at his shoulder/wither area, his ears indicate a ‘not as happy’ zone, so we will be working to make that a happy place for him. He copes with his mouth – when confused he will suck on his tongue, but quits as soon as he “gets it.”  Erin returned without me on Thursday and Friday before the rains and made some great headway/breakthroughs with him on our 50 & 60+degree days, to the degree of having a good ride in the arena!
The weekend weather returned to cold, but also dry and my next chance to observe Erin & Prophecy working was Sunday afternoon.  I got try my out new jacket and at least kept most of me warm while I watched!  Prophecy is doing great with Erin.  She says he is not only coming back to the next training session remembering what he has done, but improving himself too.  I can see a change in him on the ground and even got to watch them ride – no bucks (pic below).  He is ‘super smart and sensitive’  in her words.  Once he is going solidly for her I will be learning how to communicate better on his sensitivity level.

In other news, I finished what I started on my trailer 2.5yrs ago!  It is now all insulated inside the LQ area, even the slant wall to the horse area I was originally thinking about leaving bare metal.  The peg-board is up, boot box back in, and the welcome mat in place!  Now to organize the inside (the dollar store is fun place to buy bins!) and decide what comes next?!  I need to get a battery to get the roof-vent-fan and cowboy shower working again – especially before the hot summer rides.  I’m also planning to get a new mattress (the most expensive item left on my list to do) and that will pretty much finish out the living space, until I decide what to cover my minty-green insulation walls with.  For the back area, Doug is building me a saddle stand as I removed the metal one that came with, and will help me lock down the additional corner water tank I got from Amanda for the rear. I also want to put up a ceiling hung storage shelf and may need to make some hook modifications back there, and lastly some stick-up carpet on the rear-tack walls for the banging of stuff hanging on bridle hooks.  In the spring (need temps warmer) I will add either bed-liner or new gravel tape to the fenders, and hopefully open up that awning. (likely needs a good cleaning and lube!)

The journey of doing this is documented here:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/bBOZyDzVUZEJmM282

Also, I have done some more reviewing of my Two Horse Tack set… Be sure to check out that tab for more info! 🙂  (added Breast Collar and Crupper reviews)