It's been a struggle for me, both mentally and physically, to make the decision to move Colt to the two-rein this year...for my Harney County Reined Cow Horse Futurity, it's required as a 5 year old horse.
Mentally it's been a challenge because the two-rein is something I've never done before with a horse (totally new territory). Is Colt ready?...am I ready to take on the responsibility to guide Colt to the next level in his training with this huge bit and under-bridle??? OMG...the last thing I want to do is screw him up!
I happened to see one of our neighbor's over in Idaho at the vet hospital earlier this year and she said that Colt and I were a team...we had to continue our journey...we couldn't quit.
Well, I wasn't going to quit...I had basically decided that I was just going to put Colt's advanced training on a holding pattern until I worked out his advancement through my training Project with Mike Bridges.
But, this friend/neighbor wasn't the only person who said that I had to keep going (peer pressure ya know?)...so I decided to give it my best shot.
So, then it became a physical issue...it takes a long time to get the right bit and the right reins (that I could afford) to come together...I've finally got it all together and put it on Colt today. The "under-bridle" (the smaller bosel and mecate rein) were won by my Ol' Man Toby in my first year with the cutting club...I'm so excited that I get to use them with Colt!
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| Hey Mom...I'm a good sport about everything...but what's with all this garb??? |
Colt looks so grown up!!! He was such a good boy as I adjusted everything to fit as best as I knew how.
OK everyone...HEAR ME NOW...if Colt's not ready so show in the futurity in September in the two-rein I WILL NOT show him...PERIOD.
I'm excited to learn about the development of the bridle horse in the two-rein phase, and will be studying to learn as much as I can.
We'll just see how it goes between now and September!
Colt looks so handsome in his new outfit!
ReplyDeleteYou will do fine trasitioning him, I dont think you can screw him up.
I enjoy seeing you doing this, it is a lost art.
Hmm, this is foreign to me and I'll be interested in learning more and following your progression. In the WP world we have to progress to curb from a snaffle after their 5th year. I'm sure you two will do just fine.
ReplyDeleteLooking handsome. I watched a local guy train a bridle horse over 5 years and the transformation was amazing.
ReplyDeleteHe looks good, and Im sure he will be ready, often i think its the rider whos not ready. Like me, my 6 year old is still in a snaffle and everyone wants me to move her up, but Im not ready to, its scary!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea! I have to admit that when it comes to 'western wear' I am a total idiot. I am now realizing I must have been seeing the forest and not the trees as I can't recall what horses were wearing when I watched them in different disciplines. I guess I was just totally in awe of what they were doing and missed the details!
ReplyDeleteStarting something new is a little scary at first, but you have a good support system, and a sensible horse. You'll do fine, and I think we'll be seeing Colt in that show!
ReplyDeletewow .. gives new meaning to "it down and ride".. you go girl...got some good giddyup in your git along :)
ReplyDeletehappy trails
gp
You'll be fine....I do know how you feel though...I think I'd ride everything in a halter if I could get away with it ;)
ReplyDeleteWhen you put the horse first, it's a little scary to move on to the next stage as an amateur owner. We don't want to ruin a good horse through our ignorance of ineptitude.
ReplyDeleteYou'll do great. You'll let Colt set the pace and when he's ready, he's ready.
So exciting to bring a young horse along and know that his successes are your doing!
oooo! Congrats! You and Colt are going "all-wheel" drive! :)
ReplyDeleteHe looks to be such a honest guy; it must be so much fun to work with him.
You guys are going to be just fine!
ReplyDeleteYou've done...and are still doing everything you can to educate yourself and prepare Colt for each step on this journey. How could you mess him up? Not possible. He's a good boy and he trusts you.
I have a strong feeling you two are going to go all the way!
~Lisa
Fantastic! That is definitely the cowgirl way. The hardest part about the two rein is getting the right equipment 'fer sure. But I wish everyone could do it, it makes such a good horse.
ReplyDeleteBenny Guitron has some good tips on his website.
Looking forward to watching your journey with Colt continue.
I had a dream about Colt last night. That I'd bought him, but had to go to Alberta to pick him up and all the logistics of getting him across the border... I must have paired you up with Just Another Day on the Prairie. Fun dream :-)
ReplyDeleteHe looks very handsome in his new gear. I'm very interested to see how this progresses too.
ReplyDeleteSuch a handsome boy! I just learned about the whole two rein thang this year along with my introduction to reined cowhorse. It's a whole new world for me and quite an interesting one at that! Everything is so expensive! Good bits, decent romel reins, bosels and mecate reins. It's craziness! I like your set up and Colt looks so grown up in a bridle!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe it's been so long since I've read your blog! Trying to get caught up on all of your goings on and loving getting a big dose of it! :)