June 4, 2010 – First bridle

Red letter day for my little man! Rory wore a bridle for the very first time. He opened his mouth easily when I stuck my thumb in and took the bit like a pro! Then he mouthed and wiggled his tongue for a moment to try and spit it out, but after that it was really no big deal for him.

He keeps demonstrating an essentially cool nature. Earlier this week he was eating his breakfast in a stall with one of those metal gates (with the V for them to put their heads out) and he got a little agitated about a dog barking a little way off outside the barn. Now I say agitated, but there was no screaming or pulling or pooping type activity. He wanted out and considered going over the stall gate. Rory stuck his head over first, tucked his bum under and gently lifted his front feet off the ground as he pushed his head forward. I tie him because he's more comfortable that way, so he couldn't get his head very far over the gate. He tried twice, but never thrashed or banged the gate or anything more forceful than the push forward against the halter. I was watching him to see how he'd take it since his momma tended to have meltdowns if she was taken into the barn alone (she improved with work, but I was worried Rory might have inherited that tendency). He swung his bum round a couple of times as he tried to turn around in the stall I think to find the source of the noise, but he stopped and stood still (on alert, but still) for a minute. That's when I went in and took him back out to his field. A couple of days later the dog was at it again when Rory was eating and this time he just kept eating.

Rory always comes over when he sees me in the field, and is mostly coming when I call - he'll look around and comes when he sees me.

I ordered red & black splint boots for him but haven't tried putting them on yet. I think I want the video running for that one, though he may not be any more concerned about them than he was about the bit.
And I pulled some of his mane the other day. Much to my surprise he didn't mind it at all (good thing with the thickness he's got).

It's been nasty hot here for a bit so I haven't done too much in the way of walking Rory around. The horseflies are likely to carry us away! We did have a trot down and up the driveway the other night. He's getting really good about stopping when I do, and slowing his trot when I give a little tug on the lead, and going faster when I run faster.