Day 10 and 11 for #HOPTeamHamilton were his first days under saddle with a rider. I learned a TON about him and his personality. Hamilton is a lot better on ground than under saddle. Which means a lot of miles will be good for this boy. Which is just what we will do:) Hamilton struggles to tie and be quiet. He paws and tries to distract himself with anything he can. Continual tying time should take care of this. When Hamilton is placed in a new area, he forgets everything he knows and goes completely scatterbrained. Becomes explosive with any pressure, as well as acts like he’s never been desensitized. Everything I did on ground with desensitization with this boy, will all have to be done under saddle. I can tell he’s gotten away with things and knows how to throw a fit to gain control and release the pressure for himself. A few of the things he does to think pressure will come off include... rearing, bucking, tilting his head in, bolting, and completely going into pressure instead of away.
Hamilton has a lot of needed work under saddle but will be a good challenge. I hope to bring you all a new boy. When he’s rode under saddle in a bigger area out of a round pen, he is completely unconnected. By this I mean none of his body parts are working together and in sync. He doesn’t know how to keep under himself and collected. Day 2 of under saddle (yesterday) was worse than day 1. Day 2 I asked him to give me more because the footing was better. (Yay for finally sunshine and a dry-ish arena!) Which is when he exploded on everything. He bucked once out of frustration of not getting his way. The second time was a bolt and buck, because well... blue barrels are scary.
Some good things about Hamilton, is that he is doing phenomenal on the ground. He is learning to self halter. The reason I am teaching him this is if he goes to a younger child, I want him to be able to drop his head for them to put the halter on. It’s a necessity when you can’t reach! He is slowly getting better with the trains, and doing phenomenal with being ponied! Hamilton and I also worked on self loading on the trailer, he’s getting good and I hope to have him doing it all himself soon!
Hamilton has gotten away with things in his life. The two words I have come up to pair together to describe Hamilton, would be stubborn but willing. I know... these words don’t normally go together. But Hamilton has shown that he wants to learn. He wants to be a good boy, but he doesn’t know any different. The way he knows is by being stubborn and doing things his way. Once he is shown the right way, he quits testing and asking questions so much. After he understood what is being asked of him, he’s very willing to give it a try. Especially with things on the ground. I haven’t come up with two words while under saddle, but I’m hoping this fits that as well!
My overall hope and goal for Hamilton, is to be a very trustworthy horse. Hamilton has the heart. He just needs a little help. Which is why I’m here! My goal is for anyone to be able to ride him. Old or young. He’s got a big heart, and whoever gets him is gonna fall in love! I sure have!
Hamilton got a massage by his sponsor MisFit Equine Massage on day 11 and absolutely LOVED it. She did a phenomenal job on him!
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!
MisFit Equine Massage LLC Blue Blood Horseshoeing Asbury University Equine Center Megan Schmitz RVT Wixom Photography Mustang Walton
There’s still time to sponsor us if you wish! The first deadline to be on the shirts is May 25! There will be another set coming, so if you wish to sponsor us, you can start anytime throughout our 100 days! All sponsors are SO very appreciated!
As always, thank you for your love and support to Hamilton and I in our 100 day journey!
Comments