we backed Biscuit finally...

[sugar]

<IMG src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/smileys/smiley1.gif" border="0">We took our new thoroughbred Biscuit into the outdoor arena today for his first time under saddle since we got him. Now this is the horse with the problem past that we are now assuming is "greenbroke" or backed only a few times for a few minutes. It was just too easy once he finished his bombproofing and head shrinking.&nbsp; I've backed unbacked head cases after the same kind of training and they didn't react the same.&nbsp; We weren't sure how he'd react under saddle if he'd been backed for the first time by his bad home.&nbsp; <IMG src="smileys/smiley1.gif" border="0">
<IMG src="smileys/smiley4.gif" border="0">I took him out with my daughter and got her to mount him and he&nbsp; didn't exaggerate the bracing for your weight on mounting, he positioned himself before we even tried to mount him.&nbsp; that was the clue of course.&nbsp; Anyway, I walked the 2 of them around on a short leadline. He was quite calm and relaxed about it, though a litle excitment poked through once in a while.

<IMG alt=Cool src="http://pasofinos.com/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif" border="0"> After we walked in a circle in both directions a few times, we took him back to the barn and untacked. It was down around -25 to -35 for over a month so he is still pretty skinny so he won't be ridden for more than 10-15 mins at a time. This will also keep him from getting overwhelmed emotionally or training wise. <IMG alt=Mad src="http://pasofinos.com/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_mad.gif" border="0">&nbsp;This is the abuse case that was rescued at 4 and been on pastured pretty much ever since. Until I got him of course <IMG alt=Laughing src="http://pasofinos.com/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif" border="0"> .

After his ride, we rode his pasofino buddies Sunny and Quigley around, with him loose in the field running around with us. <IMG alt=Cool src="http://pasofinos.com/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif" border="0"> He was carefully, almost jealously watching them under saddle.
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Life is 10% what you make it &amp; 90% how you take it

[jax]

That's great, Sugar! <IMG src="smileys/smiley20.gif" border="0">

[tbbrat]

Wow, you must feel really good about that!&nbsp; Way to go - and here's hoping it continues just as well the next time!<IMG src="smileys/smiley20.gif" border="0">

[Lix]

That's awesome Sugar! How rewarding! <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley10.gif" border="0">

[Eileen]

Good going with the easy does it training...

[sugar]

<IMG src="smileys/smiley4.gif" border="0">Easy Does It....hmmm I wonder if you can "12 step" a horse.....<IMG src="smileys/smiley1.gif" border="0">