Lunging Jericho

Had another wonderful ride at the forest today!

Had horses run up from behind and Jerry was all cool. My friend had her young arab, that has only been ridden a max of 4 times, so Jericho had to play big brother, and he did a fabulous job.

We did a 10km ride but was a hard 10km with vertical hills and heavy sand. Jerry managed it well considering.. so will be lungeing all week to continue to prepare for the 20km ride this coming Saturday at Counties.... eekk!! Will be my very first endurance ride ever so am being drilled on paces and monitoring and control of his heart rate during the ride.

Got some photos of him being lunged yesterday (Saturday and have posted below). He is being such a good boy!

Some nice pics of Jericho

I took my hubby with us so he could get some nice pictures of Jerry at the forest.

Jerry was absolutely fantastic during his ride.

We did 15ks but took it very slowly (took us about 1 3/4 hours), as both ponies are a little unfit! But need to get Jericho going well enough for a 20km endurance ride in a couple of weeks.

He has the most amazing floating trot and can only but imagine what it will feel like once he is all fit and feeling good! We jumped a few fallen trees, went through deep mud and water without a problem. He didn't even batter an eyelid when Dianne's dog would disappear into the forest then jump out from no where giving me a massive coronary!

I think I have fallen for the Arab breed!! eek!

Jericho goes to the Forest with Laconia

Our friend Dianne and her lovely arab Laconia (another Makahiwi) came to pick us up to go for a ride at Woodhills forest.

Jericho has been a great traveller in the past, but had one bad experience that has meant he has been a little anxious loading for the last few times.

WELL, Jericho decided he was going to be brave for us this time... and the next. We ensured he was kept calm and as he has had alot of natural horsemanship handeling, we kept away from direct pressure and worked with pressure and release. Before we knew it the boy was self loading himself! He remebered, he knew the drill, he just needed a little reminding that it was all safe.

Once on you wouldn't have even known he was in there, travelled like a dream! And waited patiently to be asked to back out once the door was down and bum bars released.

About Jericho!

Jericho:
Makahiwi - endurance bloodlines
SIRE: Makahiwi Iriquiois

DAM: Makahiwi Azebeijan
Grandparents arab also - more than 90% arab possible.

His date of birth is 4/11/01

He was purchased him from a breeder in Taranaki on 6 February 2004
Professionally broken in: 21/08/2004

Here is a pic of him at 6 months old:

And a couple of pics of his dam:

So off to work Jericho goes and on his mission to find his new 'perfect' home!

Good Luck Jerry!!!!