Meet my horse

I've had my furry dumplin for just over 6 weeks & although progress is slow (still not riding & but so tempted to try again) we've defiantly bonded.
I did ride him & he freaked out, repeated & again he freaked, tried again & he really freaked out so called in natural horsemanship person who introduced me to the games of Pirelli & adviced lots of bonding before we ride. So we walk out instead & it seems to be working. I've taken a few of the tips & they've really help with my confidence & handling ability. I don't (ohh could be in trouble if instructor reads this) dedicate time to "play set games/do my home work" but do use some of the techniques when handling/spending time/playing with Eastar. He still takes a massive amount of effort to respect "my gate/leaving when I say it's time", but at times of play/work he'll back up with a wiggle of the finger, I can place his leadline through his legs & stand behind holding it while he backs up :D *so proud of those two*. I guess some will say no real point & with that last trick maybe not but it shows trust for both & gives me a confidence boost which can never be a bad thing.

While I was away last week for Grandads funeral/ 3 days down south, my fabulous & totally "non-horsey" husband took care of Eastar. This is a huge thing as Martin (hubby) would never be close to a horse & even a stable door wasn't enough to settle his nerves (still isn't at times, but huge progress overall). Anyway he turned him out each morning & brought him in every evening. Eastar was a dream the first evening & even got a walk down to the lochan/pond. Day two he wasn't to bad in the morning, but skittish by evening. Monday morning he was super jumpy & scared Martin half to death, Monday night he threw a proper Eastar tandrum, flying around his field like a plonker & forcing Martin to leave him to calm down for 20 minutes/Martin to down a beer & be brave enough to get him in, which he did on the second attempt but let Eastar dictate speed, stopping /letting him eat whatever he wanted on route. Tuesday morning & martin was ready to give up when he went to Eastars stable & he was circling around & around, being pushy if the door was opened (he's not really but will try is he senses fear & the need to run & save himself), so Martin left him for an hour before turning out & was thankful of my return that evening & me bring him in (which he did like a gent) :D Bless them both.

I'm so proud of how Martin managed while I was away & also *naughty I know* but I kinda like that Eastar played up....  Does that mean Eastar missed me? OK so really was just a security issue, but still I like that he calmed once I returned which must mean he feels secure with me. He did act up my second evening home & really threw his handbag across his field & Martin said it was the worst he'd seen him. Even I hadn't seen him this charged up. It took a good few minutes to calmed him enough to stand still (stop charging around with front & back legs really going with fantastic fart between each buck/rear) in a minute or two I had him walking in like nothing had happened?!

Since then we've had the log-men in, meaning different machinery being left everywhere on route to his stable & favourite walks, yet he doesn't bat an eye lid just looks to take them in while still following me calmly. I find this fascinating as he's such a worry-wart  & you'd think a whopping tractor or loader bang by his stable would cause a little falter in step at least, yet nothing. My big brave boy x