Mouthing Sonny

Sounds like a movie title!

But no, its the name of the next stage of education for young Sonny. This stage starts with the introduction of the "bit" to his mouth for the first time and goes all the way to the point where Sonny is responding perfectly to the reins. Yeah, i simplified this all a lot.

Well mouthed horses know exactly where to go when asked, so long as the riders are consistent in their application of the "signals" the horse is trained to respond to. It is vitally important to the next stage of his education where he gets broken in.

You can watch a video with a a bit about it here. Love the accent there!

Sonny has responded well, and Clive has him now in his hands. This week Clive will possibly start him on the long reins in the larger paddock. This step introduces Sonny to being instructed what to do via long reins whilst walking/trotting in a wide circle. This technique is called longing.

All going well....

15.3 hands is Clive's official measurement

Sonny has been in the stable for 2 weeks now and adjusted well to his new life. All is well. As always with the babies, the progress is always full of interest and at this stage and Clive is happy to report that his good nature and character have proven true. He is a welcome member to the stable and takes a keen interest in all going on around him.

Amber raced last week in the city, so he witnessed his first early morning load out and late night return. The Dog is racing again today in Geraldton, and he will hear all the racing going on just across the way.

Sonny has now tasted the bridle in his mouth and the felt the saddle on his back.

He put on a real bucking show the first time he has the saddle on. Kicked and bucked like crazy, showing his dislike for the new additions but he eventually settled down and he is now carrying them without mis-behaving.

Clive has put the long reins on him too, and this week will begin to "lunge" him around in the small paddock next to the stables. This will be the beginning of his real education as he learns what the bridle is for. They call it mouthing and a well mouthed horse goes where you ask it to.

There are a lot of horses you see who decide they want to go a different direction to the jock, and this is put down to poor mouthing.

Clive also made a detailed measurement of Sonny and has declared he will be 15.3 hands high. That is the same height as his sire in Bletchley Park. With his solid build, this is a good height to finish up.