Posted: Monday 18 December, 2006
Yesterday was big day for us. Smokey took a big step forward in his driving career and was "put to" the gig for the first time. Last weekend, he saw the gig for the first time, sniffed it, touched it and followed it around. Yesterday, we built on that, again letting him sniff and touch it, then leading and longreining him around it.
He was quite calm about all this, so he was asked to stand while Claire brought the gig behind him and lowered the shafts down. He had a wee look behind but never moved a foot. So we hitched him up to the gig and led him around the arena, in walk, with lots of stops (and a few polo mints) to let him think about what was happening. The only time he lifted his head was when I asked him to turn a wee bit tight and obviously he couldn't bend his body because of the shafts, but he just thought about it and stepped over beautifully to make the turn.
We've a long way to go but he seems pretty relaxed so far, so we'll just take it slowly. I was so proud of him, I had a wee tear in my eye. Thanks, Claire, for your help. And the photos. And this time we get video too!
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Comments

Snowbabies
That's fantastic, well done Smokey!

Lisa
Hi Rosemary,
Haven't been in touch with you for ages! Glad all is going well with Smokey and the "gig" - that'll be fab fun once you get him going, it look superb by the way.
Have a wonderful Christmas & New Year.
Lisa x

claire
Alice has been admiring Smokey, she's posted some pictures of her western saddles
http://iwasborn2cree8.blogspot.com/2006/12/chistmas-bear-goes-riding.html
Comments are now closed for this post.
claire
Monday 18 December, 2006 at 9:18pm
whoppee! off we go!