Jail break and the two month checkpoint


The big stinker got out last night (my fault for not putting the chain on his stall door) and escaped... only to be found hanging out in an empty stall the next aisle over.  Guess it was too much effort to try and make a run for it, huh Ryon?  I can't believe that I've only had him for two months now; I don't remember what it was like without him.

As you can see from the pic I snapped of him tonight, he's lost a lot of fat, put on a lot of muscle, and shed his fluffy winter coat.  He gets a "oh my goodness, he's so CUTE" compliment every single day now and everyone comments on what a personality he has.  Ryon's slowly figuring things out in the arena - guiding himself over jumps, not being spooked by flowers/rakes/chairs/birds, and how to support his body through different gaits.  It's a pleasure working with him because I can watch him try and figure things out on his own and when he gets it, he really gets it.  We have him doing two-a-days twice a week and he still has boundless amounts of energy and is such a hard worker.

Ryon's also turned into quite the little diva.  He now turns his nose up at Swedish fish; he'll eat them if they're the second to last thing in his stall (the last thing that he'll eat is his apple-flavoured antibiotic medication).  He also gets fancy new shoes every other month that rival the cost of shoes that I keep and wear for years.  He tried to bite a little pony the other week when I took it out for a hack because he was jealous of the attention.  Without a doubt, I was pissed after I saw that.  No horse of mine is going to be a biter, nosiree.

He's also quite a teacher.  He's taught me to be present in the moment and to push everything aside and focus on the here and now.  With him, I have to be firm, consistent, and stern without being harsh, impatient, or mean.  I've had to think ahead, to outsmart him, and to also figure out what works for him as far as positive reinforcement and discipline.  But not forget to lavish praise over and over again.  And this is only at two months.  Think of where we'll be, Ryon Buddy, in four.


Comments

  1. I think being consistent is so important with training and he looks like such a gentle giant :)

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  2. awwww love this, the only contact I've ever had with horses is when we fed them grass through the fence when I was 9, but I can imagine you need to be firm with an animal this size, you have to be the boss of them! he's beautiful!

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  3. sounds like you are very happy with him and at a good place. I'm glad xoxo

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  4. Hahaha...handsome Ryon is a handful! Rooth, so happy to read the two of you are having such a blast. :D

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  5. Oh I miss it all so much. I miss bringing a horse along and the peace and satisfaction that comes with it. One day I'll have that again. He looks like such a love!

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  6. Well, Steve McQueen didn't actually make it to freedom either. He was recaptured (on a motorcycle).

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  7. I love your Ryon stories. He is such a beauty too.

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  8. I see he runs away from home much like I did when I was a kid . . . :)

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  9. Oh man, you are SO ready for children one day, haha. Not that I have experience with which to speak from. You're doing this lil horsey such a favor by being there for him in all the ways that you are. Good mama! xo

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  10. he is so cute. i would love go over and pet him and give him a good ole hug. it's amazing what you are doing with him! it's like it was almost supposed to happen - that the two of you were supposed to meet :) have a good weekend~

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  11. Glad he wasn't a very good runaway - phew!

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  12. He's such a stud! I love hearing about your evolving relationship with him. Sounds like you're a great mama. :)

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  13. he has had such a transformation! he is so handsome. and how funny that he ran away to an empty stall!

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  14. Seems like he did not make it very far! Phew! He is so adorable! But no pony-biting, Ryon!

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  15. He is certainly gorgeous! Cool how you been watching him grow and also seeing his personality. Can't wait to see what other trouble he gets into ;). LOL, didn't go far while unlocked.

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  16. Awww, I love this and I love Ryon! Sounds like he has quite the personality and definitely keeps you on your feet!

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  17. *Gasp* - he doesn´t like his Swedish fish?! Oh Ryan, oh Ryan, we have things to discuss if we meet. I´m just sayin´. :-D

    http://tinajoathome.com/

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  18. RyOn, wrote too fast! :-D

    http://tinajoathome.com/

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  19. I have no idea what a horse is like, but I love the way you characterize him.

    7% Solution

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  20. Reading this brought tears to my eyes. So, so moving and beautiful and I loved every word of it. But who doesn't like Swedish Fish? ;)

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  21. I don't know much about horses, but I think you're in love. The good kind too. Can't wait to keep hearing about your adventures with him. He sounds like quite the charmer.

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