Expectations

I’ve come to the realization that I’m still a little uncomfortable with Maverick. It’s nothing that he’s done since returning from the trainers. I’m afraid it’s my problem and stems from when I had him before (all during winter). He’s actually turned into a great boy and I’m impressed with how much I can do with him.

I’ve taken him out twice now and lounged him. I wasn’t going to saddle him until later but I think I need to add in more challenges. He’s going to be the type of horse that always needs to be active. Unfortunately when I got him back, he had lice. I don’t want to infect the rest of the herd so I’m keeping him separate, in the pony pen. Problem is, the only place for me to ride in an enclosed location is the small dry lot and that’s where I have the ponies right now. So now I don’t know what to do. I need to get on and start riding him but I don’t want to infect the ponies, and thus infect the rest of the herd with lice. I’ve been slathering on fly spray to kill the lice but it’s not an instantaneous kind of thing.

So now I’m afraid that I won’t be willing to get back up on him when the lice is gone.

I’ve also decided that even thought all I really wanted was to be able to handle him, I had thought that I would be more comfortable around him. But it’s just his personality that doesn’t mesh with mine. And really, that’s my issue, not his. I realized last night. I wasn’t impressed with Dude when we first got him. Dude only had 30 days of training on him originally and then he sat when he injured his leg. I was expecting Dude to be like Dictator. When I got Rain back from the trainers, I was expecting him to be like Ace. It took until last year (or the year before) to be comfortable on Rain. When I sent Chaos to the trainers, I expected Chaos to be like Rain (after two years of riding after the initial training). So I guess I’m expecting Maverick to be like Rain after two years of riding and like Chaos’s normal temperament. That’s asking a lot and asking something almost impossible. The only reason Rain is as good as he is, is because I’ve worked with him and put miles on him. Chaos would be the same way if I messed with him. And I think Maverick will be the same way. He just needs miles.

I remember when I first got Dictator. I swore up and down that I was going to get rid of him. But then I decided that I would wait six months before making that decision. He didn’t do what I wanted and I couldn’t figure it out. It’s because he sat for a year or so and was testing me. I got over it pretty quick and never looked back. I need to do the same thing with Maverick. I need to treat him like I did Dictator and just ride him constantly. I’ll never be comfortable riding Maverick bareback like I am Chaos. I was never comfortable riding Rain bareback (still won’t ) . But I climb up on Chaos bareback and just putz around. Why I’m comfortable doing that I will never know. I guess it’s because he reminds me of Dictator and I could ride ol’ Dictator bareback without a care in the world. I’m guessing in time, it’ll come with Chaos. But I guess I need to start treating Maverick like I do Rain and just ride him all the time.

Now if I can only be patient long enough for the lice to be killed off. I lounged him just with a halter Monday. After just a few rounds Maverick was bored. So yesterday I added some additional options. I put on a bridle and made him lounge over some posts and around some barrels. My knowledge of lounging is minimal so I need to do some research. I’m thinking tonight of pulling out the spare saddle and saddle pad so I don’t contaminate my saddle (since I’ll be using it this weekend).

I’m thinking of selling the synthetic saddle and getting a different saddle that fits better. I found one that has a high cantle. I’m thinking the high cantle may be good for Maverick. I’d prefer to have two different saddles. One that fits Rain and one that fits Chaos, Maverick, and King. It’s only a few adjustments to my saddle but it’s still a pain. I need to buy a new cinch since mines all yucked up and rusty.

So that’s it for now. There’s going to be a huge learning curve with Maverick. I need to be very diligent about working him every day so that he gets used to me and I get more comfortable with Maverick and his behaviors. I need to get a few more pics of Maverick while he’s still all muscled and looking good. I’m sure he’ll go back to looking flabby in a few weeks.