Munchkin gets a job! Learning to Dive Part One

Munchkin is an 11 year old Welsh cross pony. He use to drive but I was told he had an accident with the cart running up and knocking him down. He is scared now and has not been driven for several years. I do not know the extent he was driven before his accident but I am trying to find out.
I have decided that now that I have had him for a year and we have become close I could slowly try to reintroduce him to the cart again. I do not know a lot about driving and so this is a learning experience for me too. All the more reason I take it very slow and do my homework. I know a man that lives down the road who may be able to help me some too.

I hate leaving Munch while I go off and ride Doc all the time. It would be so awesome if he could go too at times. I have friends whom could share the riding and driving with me and Munchkin would have a job.

We were given the harness for Munch and so I pulled it out today and cleaned it up. I went outside to try just a couple things to see how Munchie reacted.

Lesson One: I put the bridle on Munchkin with no reins but wanted to see how he reacted to the bit. He resisted it a little at first but then took the bit and I led him around in two circles and he seemed very relaxed. I took the bridle off him and told him what a good boy he was.

Lesson Two: Next I put Munch's halter on with a lead rope and brought out the saddle part to the harness. I first just laid the saddle over his back and then led him around. He looked a little worried for a minute but then calmed right down and was relaxed. I laid the back strap and crupper over his back but did not attach the crupper yet. I then fastened the girth which he was fine with and then I led him around for a few minutes. After that I attached the crupper and then led him again. He did very well and actually looked proud of himself.
I unfastened him and took off his gear to send him back out to his buddy. He threw his lips up in the air and gave me a big smile before he left. I was very proud of him for his first day.

Life goes on and a new year begins

Munchkin spent six lonely months by himself after Frankie died. As much as Munch helped heal my heart and even though I spent a lot of time with him he really needed a pasture mate if I was going to keep him. Later in the year my good friends Brenna and Frank, whom I got Frankie from, made an offer I could not refuse. They needed a good home for their seven year old TWH gelding, Doc. He was born and raised by them, they own his sire and he was dear to them but with a farm and more horses that could be ridden often enough he was offered to me. I went to see him in August of 2011 and brought him home two weeks later. It was hard to think of having a new horse and yet as soon as Doc got off the trailer it was obvious that I made the right decision.

Here are some pictures from Docs first day.

Just off the trailer

First hellos

                                                                            Friends?

                                                          Off to inspect the new diggs!



I have had Doc for four month now and he is wonderful. Munchkin is happy and they spend hours each day playing and running the track. I have taken Doc on many rides and I see a long and wonderful life with the two of them. It has been a year since Emma left us and almost a year since Frankie. So strange how life changes without warning. It has been an adjustment but I feel good again and am looking forward to the new year!