The trials and tribulations of becoming a Standie owner

He looks great, he doesn't look too underweight at all. You look so happy.

Tinpre wrote:He looks great, he doesn't look too underweight at all. You look so happy.

What a silly smile! I think I was excited and nervous too...

I thought he looked good - his size, but he has had some muscle wastage since he's been out of work for a while, so need to build up his back and fatten his bum... Luckily they do the adjustable gullets as his back will be changing...

Johnno's Mum - Yeah he has settled in better now, going well, drinking and eating well, coming to the fence when you get there and very calm in his paddock. Although, Freaked out today in the wash bay and snapped the string tie and ran off, but calmed when I walked up to him which was good. The wash bay is a little scary for him - it's sort of closed in with lots of things around it, and the peacock sitting out front giving him the I'm going to eat you face didn't help. But Maike helped me walk him back in and wash him down calmly... He'll get used to it, and if not there's an outdoor wash area... He's not really yet used to the undercover areas, shed, stables and the undercover wash bay. But he'll get there.

We had our second ride today and he was much calmer. I still feel like a freak as I can't yet get the hang of his bouncy big fast trot, but we'll get there... So I feel like a complete novice again - very different to the school/ trail horses. But I'll get used to it. His canter was lovely when I viewed/ rode him but haven't done it yet in the arena... Slow and steady wins the race!

I feel he is starting to get to know me already now... Seems more comfortable around me, as I am him too. He's a beautiful big boy...

Ride 3 coming up tomorrow!

So happy for you.

He looks gorgeous i'm sure you will have a good bond in no time! and he'll be an old hand at the washbay before you know it too!! Keep up the good work

You look delirously happy!! Warms my heart to see the love you have for your new boy. I hope you have many wonderful adventures and a beautiful loving lifelong relationship.

Well, ride number 3 yesterday and a little bit closer to feeliing somewhat co-ordinated on him... He's a delightful and responsive boy, just has a fair bit of go in him.. And unco bouncy huge trot, unco cos of his back leg - needs his pelvis realigned, Chiro coming next Monday...

We explored the wash bay again- I was really hesitant but my instructor made me do it - and I'm glad, we walked in and out, in and out in and out and Charley wasn't fazed by the last walk in... Good to see... I'm just an overly paranoid person who can image getting trampled if he freaks out... Damn my imagination!

Charley now has access to his stable attached to the paddock (it initially was sectioned off as had to be cleaned out)... He's loving having the option of hiding from this rain! Apparently he is settling in well and going a little crazy in his paddock - eating grass then suddenly running a lap, then eating again. It's like his been reborn!

I now feel comfortable going into the paddock and getting him (he doesn't run or make a fuss) yet still the first day it took me an hour to build up the courage due to my bad imagaination and noone else being around... Much better around him now!

In a few weeks I'll be an old hat at it, we'll be riding when noone else is around and it'll be great! Can't wait!