Lots of happenings!

SHADOW, the five-year-old gelding, met Fred, a new trainer who will get him started under saddle. Diane had saddled him several times before and had even been on his back, but when a new person comes into the picture, everything changes. It’s like hitting the reset button on a pinball machine!

Even though he has a mustang’s natural fear of predators, he’s adjusting to the idea that having a foreign object on his back is not a reason to panic.

Actually, I thought Shadow did really well. Of course, Fred took time to introduce himself and let Shadow get used to him. He reviewed what Shadow had already learned—like picking up his feet—before he started something new. Took breaks at just the right times. Then ended on a good note. Applause all around.

MONTANA, age six, was next. In preparation for saddling, he’s walked and trotted in the round pen wearing a purple pony-size bareback pad. It’s so small that it looks a little silly on him, but don’t tell him I said that. He had the saddle on for the first time on October 12.

He did really well with it on until he backed into the round pen panel and scared himself half to death. [Snicker!]