Tetuã's Tale July 2004

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July 04


14th. July 2004 I've arrived from Portugal. My new home in England settled in and happy.	Thank you to John Parker International Horse Transport	A little loosening up after the journey	Enjoying Freedom and that Magic Green Stuff!

'Let's start at the very beginning' sang Maria in the Sound of Music Having a horse 'wanting to be in your company' is something very special and one of the first few things to establish. Here is Tetuã in his first week treating me as the 'leader' gaining confidence in his new surroundings literally every stride.	I love raising a horse's intrigue and increasing his explorative nature. Here Tetuã is learning team work and I 'planted' a piece of carrot mysteriously sitting in the grass for him to find as a reward for coming when called. I prefer giving a horse a treat from the ground rather than from my pocket.	First time on top and tentative steps to the Future	There's nothing like a good scratch and a massage to seal a good friendship.

What did Tetuã think of water? Without specifically being asked to go into the stream, he followed me in and enjoyed a dig and a splash. A good beginning, I thought.	Time to come out of the stream and with an explosive leap. A potential cross country horse in the making?!	I find long-reining very good for horses of all ages and experience. It's fun, different and adds variety as well as giving a young horse confidence at going out in front. It helps keep me fit too!	Over banks and ditches. 'Tricky' places can be found on most farms.

It's interesting to see whether a young horse can work out where the pole is in relation to his feet. Whether he is careful or careless. It's a window for the future.	Careful twisting and turning over poles at walk helps build up confidence and body awareness. It's also interesting to be able to watch a horse's expression without the influence of a rider on top	Going through narrow gaps gives horses confidence and body awareness. It's important to make absolutely sure that the gap is wide enough and safe. It takes months to give a horse confidence but only moments to destroy it.	I was pleased to see Tetuã willing to leave the ground so happily.

Finding a hill to long-rein on helps improve Tetuã's balance.	So often horses tend to rush down the hill in an unbalanced way. A little lonr-reining up and down and across the hill works wonders. It's good for me too!	Phew! Time for us both to have a breather. There's a bit more to it than that as I like to teach a horse to stand and relax during his work.	4 years old, feeling and looking good.

An interesting sequence of three pictures. I like to make sure that a horse is not worried by someone falling off. So often horses become frightened, galloping off as their rider hits the deck. So with a stuffed pair of old trousers, I first prepare the horse in the stable by laying the 'body' on him and sliding it off him, then letting it fall off.	The 'body' stays on the saddle too well, so I tend to work without a saddle. Here Tetuã has not only learnt to accept a 'body' falling off but is being taught to turn round and come back.Talking to him and rewarding him as I go. I do the same in the yard, then leading in hand before finally lungeing	If a horse is not frightened, he will learn to stop and come back to his rider. This could be a life saver and it's worth practicing even out in a field or open country by getting off 'clumsily' during a ride but make sure you have a carrot or two as a reward.	Given the chance, I like to spend time with a horse whilst he is lying down. It develops trust. Before entering the stable, just pause for thought before entering. Then I find it best just to sit quietly with them to start with and not fuss or stroke them. Just be as quiet as they are. Be aware that a horse can suddenly get up requiring much space. Be safety conscious.

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