Brego

Yesterday I emailed my trainer. Ok, so he's not really my trainer as far as lessons go since I don't take lessons yet. He's my trainer that I take all my youngsters to. Jake Jass is his name and I'm very happy with the results. Of coures the results vary from horse to horse but he's pretty honest and upfront.

I realized this weekend that Brego is 5 and does not yet have any formal training, or what I would call formal training. I don't believe sending a 2yr old to a bad trainer and then not riding them for a couple years as being trained. So I'm starting Brego off on the right foot.

Two years ago I sent Chaos to Jake for training. Last year I sent Maverick. Both came back as confident horses. Maverick came back with more self esteem and manners. I'm still wary of Maverick but we are getting there. Chaos, well, lets just say he is an easy keeper and a fast learner and now I can do just about anything with him.

I'd debated on putting Brego into training until he was 6 but he's recovered from his starvation, grown just a little, and is now starting to get naughty. It's the naughty stage where I send them away for training. They always come back with better manners and less naughty habits that I don't know how to fix.

I contacted Jake just to see if I could be put on the list. I didn't get a chance to talk when he called but it sounds like I could get Brego in fairly soon. I'm a little hesitatant to put Brego into training right now. It's still so early that I wont' be able to put much time on him becaues of the weather. And then when I do finally have time to ride, I'll be busy doing the final preparations for my wedding. But I don't want to slow down Brego's progress so I guess I'll talk to the trainer and see what he thinks.

I was worried about Brego going into training because of his confirmation. His front end is so narrow and he paddles when he walks (throws his feet out instead of his leg traveling in a straight line).

But I think Brego is physically able and now mentally able to handle training. When I first got him, he physically couldn't do anything. He was skin and bones. You could count every rib, see his hips and his spine protruding. It was like someone threw a piece of leather over a skeleton and pulled it tight. I have pics to explain but I need to scan them in. Brego was also so weak that his back end was starting to fail him. His back legs were tucked under him when he first arrived. I didn't know if he even had enough energy to stand.

But Brego has come a long way. He's not as quiet now as he used to be. I had him in with Maverick until this spring. He's been with the main herd ever since. Almost a year of running with the main herd has definately boosted his self confidence. He used to get pushed around by Maverick. I was afraid he'd get pushed around in the big herd. And depending on who is near him, he does get pushed a little.

Brego however has adjusted to herd life and now pins his ears at Maverick. He's learned where he belongs in the herd and enjoys not being at the very bottom. He picks on Zeke but Zeke pushes back. I've also seen Brego take after Sam and they are best buds (or at least were). I do think that Brego is working his way up the pecking order. We'll see what happens after he goes to the trainer.

I guess I'll wait and see what the trainer has to say but I am excited to send him to the trainers.