HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: Part I.

Something tells me she will like to jump! 

How does it go again? First comes the lunge line, then comes the saddle, then comes a trainer wearing an emergency bandage. For anyone that's ever broken a baby (it's been a few years but I've got a few under my belt...) it can be fun, fascinating, and a little bit terrifying. Watching a gangling baby turn into a show horse isn't an ordinary transformation you see everyday. If you ask me, there are too many people that just go out there and buy a made show horse without ever knowing or understanding all the hours of hard work and patience it took to make that horse. Of course, "making" a horse is just a phrase, and more often than not a horse can make you. By "making" I mean the process that went into developing a successful and ride-able mount; too often riders are completely ignorant of that process and instead focus all their attention on the quickest way to get the results they want in the show ring. For me, not only is that short sighted and expensive, but it glosses over the fact that one may lead to the other. It's unattainable because it is unrealistic for many people. Few can afford to trade in one pre-made show horse after the other each time one goes lame or goes out of style. (Of course, none of this applies to billionaires and prodigies...).

Riders are doing themselves an injustice by measuring their success solely by the blue ribbons adorning their walls. Some of the greatest horsemen and horsewomen I know focus their efforts on training, teaching, and making the horses that other people will go on to win with. Just showing up to lesson and compete completely overlooks what is (in my opinion) the best part about riding! That is, the time you spend working with your horse and connecting with them, learning about how they think, how they react, how your actions influence their behavior, and how to optimize your relationship with one another.  At the end of the day, there is nothing better then eventually winning on a horse that you know was completely self-made. 

It's not an illusion, she is really that much bigger than my mom!

In the case of Zoe the dragon baby there is even more riding on her success given the special relationship we all had with her mother. Seeing this feisty little fire cracker learn to lead, lunge and listen to commands is one of the most exciting things I've done in years. (Yes, law school was fun, but uh, it wasn't exactly titillating...). 

Lucky for us we are breaking a baby that we already gave 2 years of experience hand walking, and standing in the show ring. We then moved on to the lunge line, and started her in the stall with a saddle (but the pictures are too dark to see). Eventually, we worked our way up to lunging with a small pony saddle, and being ponied by a buddy. As you can see, results were varied. 

Trying to look sweet. I think it has something to do with the treats hidden in my pockets. 

Showing off those long legs.  

Everything we have seen her do so far has confirmed two things: 1. She is absolutely gorgeous (I can brag, she's my baby!) and
2. She is terrifyingly athletic. As in, I don't know if I'll be able to hold on athletic.

But I guess we should not be surprised. When you mix a dapper thoroughbred stallion with a beloved junior hunter, a delicately featured yet boldly agile little one comes out.  

Day 2 with a slightly heavier saddle, she is still not pleased. 

Zoe with her babysitter, Buttercup. 

Day 3. 

Days 3 & 4: We put my saddle on her this time, with heavy stirrups for her to get used to. She didn't mind the stirrups as much as she hated the girth. She actually spun around and started biting at it trying to get it off! Then, we walked her over to the mounting block and very slowly started putting weight on her back. She didn't care at all! More than that, she didn't even move! Laughing, I told Jaclyn to go get her helmet on. When she came back out, we practiced some more putting weight across her back and into the stirrups. Finally, I said, "Well, why don't you just swing your leg over! She doesn't seem to care one bit." And just like that, Zoe's first ride was in the books with my sister on her back.

Selfie of the first ride. 

This was after 10 minutes of hand walking her around the arena with Jaclyn on her back. She didn't care in the slightest! In fact, it was hard to keep her going! 

I swear, she is completely undrugged. And yet, it looks like she's falling asleep! 

We couldn't contain our smiles at how well she was behaving!!! More to come in the following weeks as we start riding her off the line and teaching her to walk/trot under saddle!

 

Thanks to Jaclyn, for being the brave first rider, and Berto for all your help. Thanks also to AJ for standing ringside with Buttercup and getting all those great photos!

xoxo