Listos Last Mimosa, Jonesy

Well, yesterday was the Big Day. Fifteen days after dropping him off, he had his first ride! He's been working in the r.p. lots, and just taking time to settle in. Yesterday Carmen put her "first ride guy" on him! She has a Cutter friend who will stick on anything so she gets him to put the first few rides on new horses - in the r.p., in the outdoor, in the indoor, until the horse is somewhat solid and the real school can begin. Then she climbs aboard.

My baby looked so grownup! And so small! lol I can see new muscles developing and he was such an attentive pupil! He took everything right in stride - from being saddled and fussed-over (has had this done lots now) to being leaned on and finally sat upon and asked to move out. He was a Prince!! I'm really proud. He has been very consistent in that way from Day 1. I love my boy.







I guess his babyhood is coming to an end, hey?
leslie
p.s. check out the EARS on that baby!!! Whhhhoooooaaaaa Jones!! lol

How exciting, Leslie!!! Wow! He looks amazing and seems to be taking it all in stride. Woohoo!

That's so exciting Leslie. I see Jonesy didn't get the skunk tail. Diva has it.

Hmmmnn........I've seen those ears before somewhere.........

LOL Well it's not like you can exactly MISS them!

No, nothing much unusual in Jonesy's colouring, demeanor, shape, size or progress. He's just a little brown Jones, just what I wanted. I'm excited though and had a "mommy lump" in my throat watching all of this yesterday Some of you must know what I mean. I'm really looking forward to his progress. And yes, I know I'm a big suck.
leslie

How exciting for you, Leslie. You're lucky to be close enough to be on hand for Jonesy's "first steps." My youngster is the same age and I'm going to see him next week - he's been under saddle for a few weeks, but this will be the first chance I've had to see for myself.
It's such a big step out of babyhood, isn't it? Your guy looks like he's got his daddy's steadiness and I bet you'll soon see that talent as well.

Kathleen

"Well it's not like you can exactly MISS them"

Actually I meant that Diva has the same ones. LOL

This post has been edited by Divasmom on Oct 16 2007, 06.04 pm

He DOES look so grown up Leslie!
Glad he is enjoying his new life.
Ain't it grand!

Since Jones went to school on September 30th, he has made great headway, taking each step slowly and with care, and he accepting each and every step with calm acceptance and learning.

He is now being ridden at an occasional lope, and the steering and brakes are coming along. I saw him do some nice whoa's and a few cross- and backup-steps last time I was there. I had to bring a new girth for C. to use on her saddle as nobody there had one small enough. But in every other way he is a Big Boy now. In fact, Mr. Jones had his first set of front shoes put on today! He is wearing his bars a bit fast so we decided to do this. He took it like he'd had a hundred sets of shoes nailed onto his feet. I was so proud.

The farrier says he can see that he is wearing his heels on his back feet (meaning, hind end engagement!) so it won't be long before we get some sliders on him too. Soon.

C. said I can come on Friday and I will get to GET ON HIM!!! I am very excited! He has been so quiet and accepting of everything to far - hopefully he won't choose Friday to learn how to buck.

My camera battery is too low to d.l. the pictures I have taken lately, but you all know what a front shoe looks like. The only difference is that this front shoe is on MY baby. So I'll spare you the play-by-play. However I hope you'll check in for pictures of ONE PROUD RIDER after the weekend when I'll be able to share my first time on his back with you all.

leslie

Well the ride last Friday didn't end up happening, and today I'm glad for that. Jones developed a little rash from my girth, so C. gave him a few days off.

Yesterday she tacked him up and put him in the roundpen to take his edge off. He has been off for 5 days...She sent him around a few times and he seemed fine and comfortable and responsive. So she climbed aboard.

He walked and trotted like a gentleman. However, when she asked for a lope, he found his Bronc nature and started giving it his best! She rode it out for a lap and when she realized he was just getting warmed up, she "dismounted". He managed to kick her leg as she stepped off, the bugger. Owww...

So she got her "first ride guy" to come get on him again. No sooner had he put his foot in the stirrup than Jones was at it again! Full on!! Eric rode it out though, which is why he's "first ride guy".

So Jones will now take a step back in his curriculum and have a few rides this week with Eric aboard, just to enforce the idea that bucking won't get you any further ahead. I sort of doubt there will be a problem today, but I think they're smart to deal with this in this manner. He will learn and not get scared, not to mention C. can get over what I'm sure is one sore leg today!!

C. says this is very common with Listo horses. She says she can remember Jason having the exact same issues with some of the colts he started and that I shouldn't look at this negatively. I don't, actually. I was sort of wondering if it would happen. He's getting more fit, stronger, smarter and I think it was just a matter of time. I'm just glad nobody was seriously hurt, and that it wasn't ME on his back!

Since my last post I've watched him progress nicely. I was there to watch him have his first ride in the indoor when other horses were present, and he took it all in stride. He was a bit excited, but nothing out-of-hand.

Today, if all goes well during Carmen's ride, I will climb aboard for the first time and cool my boy out. I'm VERY excited! It's been a long wait. And the little hiccup above meant I had to wait a while longer.

My first "ride" on my baby. I wonder if Carmen will let me walk around or if she'll lead me.
I will get pictures.

You see this big smile on my face??!!??!!



I got on, expecting to just walk him out after Carmen rode. I ended up having a nice ride! We walked, trotted and loped a few times in both directions. We had a few backup steps. We had a few stops! He was awesome! He's a wet noodle, but a polite and well-behaved wet noodle. I was SO happy! I AM so happy!!

Hey Leslie - AWESOME!!!

You are going to have some fun with your baby

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Shari

WooHoo!! I am soooo excited for you Leslie!! May the thrill never leave!

Shari........I 'love' your avatar!

Leslie, you have to find a way to bottle that smile!

Can't wait to see you two in the show pen,

Kathleen

Thanks Wendy!
(It is my present from Rambo ...a collage done by Cheryl James Photography with pics she took at the cowhorse shows in Washington State)

Ditto Kathleen