Well, what a week it has been, new to the Family is The Englishman, also known as Soots, a 16.3 TBxID - a little different to a Haffie and a mini ;0). I am very lucky to have been offered him on loan, and hes here for a trial to make sure we are all happy

Picture here of their first meeting...

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giddy of course is well in charge ;0), there was no squealing from her at all which i was most surprised at; she asserted herself in a very cool calm fashion and after they had all greeted, she led the herd down the field and the two boys followed her meekly

Lightning and soots however did a fair bit of squealing on the first night, and by day two, my two were bullying the great big horse something chronic. I took my stick and string down in the end and tried to support him in the herd by driving Lightning away who was the worse of the two; they have settled a little now, but it has been quite difficult watching soots discover the boundaries of his new herd.

Soots finally began to stand his ground on day 4, I suppose he just needed to build some confidence in his new surroundings, and get used to the equivalent of a terrier coming at him with the violence of a rotweiler; pretty strange to see a mini chasing a 16.3!

It has been very interesting to watch in terms of why Giddy is such a handful, she is incredibly dominant, but did very little to assert herself apart from a couple of double barrels, but then just made it clear she was in charge in a very passive way. Lightning is more defensive and attacking, and I think there is an element of him defending his mare

I have done very little with Soot so far, I figured a week was a good time to settle to ensure he was comfortable; I havent been able to resist however a few little touches on some games. I was a litle wary of him to start, he's so very big, and I know with absolute accuracy how Giddy reacts and responds, but Soots is an unknown quantity at the moment, and although I had lots of feedback on what a good boy is, I of course have to discover this for myself; so I was a little wary, and him a little reserved to start for a couple of days, but now am feeling much more connected with him

Already I can feel that difference between a horse that wants to try to connect and one that is constantly challenging for leadership; Giddy tests me every single moment I am with her, and I have to be totally on form to keep the connection, the minute I am out of place, or rush, or my phases or not gentle enough, then the relationship can break down rapidly and she takes control

With this very gentle old chap, I feel that he wants to connect and play even though its early days, just whilst getting to know him in the field, have tried things like backing him up a little at liberty, and its straight and soft, and sooooooooo different to the challenging little haffie

So interesting days ahead, I think maybe this horse has come to me for a reason as part of my parelli journey, and am hopeful he can also help me with Giddy on many levels. I certainly look forward to some riding that is not a battle of wills, negotiation and levels of patience that I dont always have. I dont suppose my leg muscles are looking forward to getting up there!