Find your own stick

Well, it looks like I will have to put off the second part of my Parelli beginning till tomorrow, because today was another fantastic day.

We didn't do a heck of a lot, but about 2 months ago, I began teaching him to bow. Then i put my back out, and decided not to do it until he could coordinate himself properly :)

We tried again today, and he went all the way down! WOOHOO!! Mind you, i was still holding his leg, but you know - we got there!

The most exciting part of our day was actually again - when i put him back in the paddock.

He went and found another stick, or branch i should say, this thing was huuuuge, only fit in his mouth if he opened wide. I mean huge!

He picked it up and looked at me again as if to say "Whaddaya think of them apples?"

I of course, broke into laughter, which made him drop it and pick it up again to see if he could get me to do anything else (darned horse is training me)

After a few minutes of this, another horse came over to see what was going on. He wanted to play with the stick as well, but Sante wasn't giving up on his prized possession. So he stood there. still as a statue, for at LEAST five minutes. I mean, there was drool coming out of his mouth because his mouth had been open so long, and still he refused to drop the stick.

The other horse bit his rug, pulled the buckles on the neck, pulled his main, tried to bite his neck and even though Sante moved his head around to avoid some of it, he still did NOT drop the stick.

He actually resorted to hitting the horse with the stick! I'm not joking. I am serious, I stood there watching my horse "Phase 4" the other horse with this "branch" firmly lodged in his teeth.

I was roaring with laughter, Sante thought this was great - it was the best game he's played I bet.

Eventually he lost interest, and thought surely mum has treats for me now, dropped the stick and wandered over.

I was amazed. Sante has shown the most increadible increased play drive over the last few weeks. Its just awesome! It might have somethign to do with the spring grasses -- I don't know, all I know, is he is having the time of his life!