Proud of Rusty!

[ShainaTN]

Rusty had his first encounter with the saddle today. We are getting him used to his tack, but nothing extreme. We got the saddle on his back and tightened the girth to see his reaction... and he really didn't care. Looks like when it comes time to do training and riding, he's gonna be a breeze. I guess that is because of the imprint training he had when he was a baby... when we had to bottle raise him. On another board, all I get is criticism when I try to tell them good news... they all are from the European/ Britian area, and they only believe in start saddling and leaving them totally alone until they are three... western folks don't always do that... and I realize that some do, everyone that I know starts their colts at two, but handle from birth... after all, they usually turn out the easiest to train.

Well, that's enough of that. Some of those people upset me, so I guess I'll stop posting on that forum...

but anyways, here are couple of pics:

I thought he looked MIGHTY handsome under a saddle!

[redmustangwoman1]

Oh yes ,Rusty sure looks good under the saddle..Its too bad ppl can't get along on all the mb's...There will always be a few that disagree tho...He is gorgeous...I think he will be just fine...Thanks so much for the pics ...Take care.....

[Golden Girl]

Hi Shaini, You have all the right in the world to be proud ;D I have started horses/ponies for many, many years. Some people want to wait until the animal is three, some like 2 yos to be started. Either way, with love & patience you can teach you animal the basics, and be successful, and have yourself a nice riding mount
I find that the two year olds easy to work with. If he/she has been handled allot be their owners before I get them, then I can get them going in less time. If the animal hasn't much handling, then add 30 days! More $$ for me
Anyway, I do not work a 2yo hard, either unmounted or mounted. And I only walk/trot. Cantering is best left to a more physically developed, and more balanced three year old. Once out of the round pen, easy trail rides with an experienced horse are great for 2 yos.
Go to the photos & stuff and see my two year old Rajah. He is 28 months old. He rides saddled or bareback, walks & trots, and is learning to backup too!. No bit yet, as he still has his little baby teeth.
Well, good luck, and keep up the great work! ;D

[tinypony]

good luck shaina!!! all horses are different so they can't all be started at the same age. rusty is going to be GORGEOUS when his neck and body fills out with muscle!!! keep us posted!!!

[ShainaTN]

Thanks for all the nice comments!!!

I forgot to add that he is almost, if not as tall as Baylee, and she is 14.3hh... he might be 14.1or2 hh. Big baby, and hopefully he reaches 15.2+hh. We also flexed him yesterday, and boy does he know how to flex... he looks as good as those horses on Clinton Anderson's Videos! Seems like waiting for him to turn 3 is taking forever... can't wait to do some riding on him, especially a canter because he canters beautifully. You know what's funny? We never knew what his dad was, but the only stud we saw around Baylee before we purchased her two years ago, was a 16+hh TB. And I could almost guarantee that his extended trot (that's too cute to watch him do it in the field) looks exactly like a TB. His mom is a reg. Racking horse... and that's why I can't wait to see what his gaits feel like under the saddle!

AND again, I'd like to thank you all for the nice comments!

[tinypony]

he definately looks like he could be part TB with that long neck and legs!!