Some Photos

Here are a few photos of Drum. He is going better every day! He was getting the hang of going in circles during these photos. His head is a little all over the show but I am just working on "bend and forwardness". His head will become more stable and pole high as he gains balance. He is pretty green but is getting the idea!He is really enjoying the hacking out each day too! We do a little schooling the a hack most days until he is fitter then he can do more in the arena.

Emails From Gemma

To keep updated on Drum, I will post relevant emails and txts from Gemma.

May 20
Drum worked really well on the lounge, was not keen at first on the side reins but i had them nice and long and in the end he lowered his head and accepted them well. Mum will be working him again today on the lounge as I am working in town. PS once he was working there was no sign of wobbles! When I put him out after work and a little food he even went charging about bucking and kicking up his heals! Hard thing!

May 22
[via txt] Drums working well. Will have one more session on lunge then will ride him all next week.

May 23
Mum worked him yesterday and was pleasantly surprised at his good manners and work ethic! The weather here today is horrible to say the least so he may not get a ride today, mind you he has been worked every day this week except wednesday it snowed that day! Brr

May 25
[via txt] Drum had a good hack out today. Little lumpy to start off but really enjoyed it in the end.

May 26
Drummer was good today, had his toes done and was pretty sweet to ride.Will take some photos now the weather is better, prob on thursday as tomorrow he will be lounged as I am working in town.

May 29
Drum has his first really schooling session in the arena yesterday.He did ok! I have changed his bit as he was not 100% happy in the one that came with him. Mum long reined him and it really improved his contact, steering stopping etc... It obviously made a difference cause he was heaps better yesterday.I am working on fitting a saddle to him, as his own sits down on his whither and may cause issues in the future which I would like to avoid? This may improve once he starts to build some muscle across his back, so will periodically check the fit. The vet was out yesterday so he was injected for worms rather than drenched. This brings him in line with our lot so can now go on regular rotation with the gang. We have a bachelor pad with five geldings together at present and it is a good number, any less and they squabble! Two will be going this weekend so once they go Drum can enter the gang!! If there looks to be any problems we'll put him back on his own. I prom to get some photos to you this weekend.
[via txt] Drums starting to get the idea of being commanded from on top rather than on ground. He keeps looking for mum when I ride.

Picking Drum Up

Gemma turned up a few days ago to pick up Drum and take him away to her place for the next few months. She txtd me repeatedly while she was there, keeping me updated on what was happening. As soon as she turned up, Drum neighed and ran over for licks and kisses! Lol.

Apparently he was a bit of a prat to load. He wasn't over the top, but he was reluctant and kept trying to go off the side of the ramp, getting halfway up and then looking anywhere but into the float! Mum got home and was a bit stressed about having to help, but she put her arm around Drum's bum and Gemma presented a bucket of nuts and he went straight on!

He travelled fine and as far as I know has settled happily. Gemma's place is non rye pasture so he will get to graze full time, and there are plenty new horses to become friends with. I should receive his full training schedule soon and Drum is starting work tomorrow!

Hes off next week

Gemma is picking Drummer up next week and he is to start his schooling work the Monday after next. The plan is to school him for four weeks and then Gemma will keep him on until I get home later in the year, just keeping him in work, at a fantastic price.

His schooling work entails 6 days a week of work, including lunging and long reining work, hacking out and basic schooling (both work over poles and small jumps to start with, and dressage training).

After his schooling he will be put onto the 'ticking over' work which is a few rides out, or schooling sessions a week plus handling.

The pasture at Gemma's is non rye so hopefully he can pretty much be 'weaned off' his hard feed (which is just to get his toxin binders into him) and just live off pasture and hay. He's a fatty so he will do well.

I will post again with an update on his ride to Gemma's and how he settles. And updated posts on his progress over the next few months. I hope to visit him in June.