Penley's backing week!

[dalesponyrider]

With all that I have had on with looking after my parents for the last four years, I not only haven't ridden as much as I would like but I find that I have got a five year old in my field who is still not backed!!!

So, I have booked a week off and instead of taking up the offer of a free week in France, I am having a week at Hillside to back Penley! To make it even better, I am not cooking a single dinner! ?

All I have done with Penley so far is lead him about in his rope head collar with his bridle and bit on, getting him used to verbal commands and pressure aids on his side, including taking him on the busy main road. I have stood on a chair next to him and leaned over him masses, since he was born really. Other than that, nothing. Unless you include T's kids playing with hoopla hoops, scooters, flags etc right next to him. I've also had someone in the yard with a lorry feeding him polos out the window when he was young. All the clearance work at Hillside has got him used to diggers, bonfites, unexpected loud noises etc.

So not much in the way of formal training. Hmmmmm.

Well, I'll let you know how we get on and if I remain out of hospital! ?

So today I plan to introduce Penley to his roller and long reins.

[dalesnfellfan]

Sounds like a pretty good start to me, plus he's known you all his life so he should trust you. Have you got anyone to help you when needed? I hope it all goes smoothly and don't forget to keep us posted of the progress if you have the time.

Have fun and enjoy the experience.

[dalesponyrider]

I have friends coming for some of the week and Joe with me the rest of the time. Joe isn't "horsey" at all but willing! I will have experienced friends with me for the actual sitting bit!

[valerie n scout]

Wow 5amazing where the time goes x all the best with Penley xxx

[tinkerdorisalison]

hope it all does well this week.

we also have a five year old not properly broken yet, I really must apply myself

[cadeby]

Good luck Linda. I'm sure Penley will be fine and take it all in his stride. Have fun

When you've finished with Penley, I have two 4 year olds leading an overly contented field-ornament lifestyle that you can work on

[dalesponyrider]

Well we didn't do much yesterday but what we did I was very pleased with.

First we had to faff about getting his Boett hood and blanket off. I made a mistake with where the lead rope should be and Penley was very patient as I got various things stuck on his head and over his eyes! Nice start Mum!

Then I messed about taking bridles on and off as I wasn't happy with the fit of the one I bitted him in.

When I'd finished faffing about with that, I put his roller on for the first time and did it up quite firmly. No reaction, at all!

Then led him up and down on headcollar. Good as gold.

Then put lead rope through bit and led him round, backed up, moved over etc. Joe had a second lead rope attached to his head collar only to be used if he reacted badly so as I wouldn't have to pull on his mouth. First time of mouth pressure, no reaction and good as gold. (Yes I know you told me to do this before this week Anna, but I've been sooo busy....)

Then took him well away from the other two who are in the front paddock to the the small back paddock where I intend to do most of my work with him. We did a very small amount of walking round and in hand work, then finished at that.

Not a very exciting read for you! I know I didn't do much but I felt he had done so well I wanted to leave it at that.

Now off to take him a stage further! ?

[dalesponyrider]

Not a very good photo I'm afraid. Joe had the phone on video instead of camera!

Attachments:

[tinkerdorisalison]

sounds like a good start!

[colmworthdales]

Excellent start. Just keep each session happy and short and only introduce one new thing a time. Ponies really seem to need time to compute each new idea - sure they must mull over their experiences while getting on with the important things in life - like eating!

[harveydales]

Excellent start. As already said, short sessions are best.

[dalesponyrider]

Right, day two report!

Another good day. Very, very breezy which I thought might liven things up a bit. Penley was so good with the roller yesterday I dispensed with it today and popped a saddle on. What was the reaction? None! Walked him about with the saddle on and he was fine.

So I tied him up and faffed about putting the long lines on. I flapped them about lots, let him sniff them, rubbed them all over his body and flapped them all around his hind legs. What was the reaction? Indifference!

So, off we went, Joe leading and me at the back on the lines. Walked and stood all the way to the back paddock. Then walked all round the paddock doing figures of eight etc. for about 20 mins. He was really good. Got startled a bit by something at the beginning which caused a bit of a tangle but nothing bad. Carried on with no more incidents.

Back to the yard, took him to the mounting block and leaned over the saddle, patted him all over, rubbed my booted foot all over his bum, jumped noisily up and down, what was his reaction? Laid back and ignored it!

So back to his tie up point for a treat in his bucket!

To say I am pleased is an understatement!

Attachments:

[dalesponyrider]

I know my stirrups are too high and I need to lengthen them and find something to strap them together. Plan to do that tomorrow.

[jap]

twine fastened underneath to hold the stirrups down and hard hat please.

[dalesponyrider]

But I did put some boots on Julie! ?