Sleeping Sonny - first day with a rider

Today was the day. Clive had organised a young bloke (Jason) to ride Sonny for the first time. Jason has been doing track-work in Geraldton, and also working for a breaker around town. Clive

So how did Sonny take it? Well, as Clive put it..."he is a clever little bloke".

When a horse first feels a rider in the saddle, there are a lot of "issues" that spring into their heads. There is the new weight, and new pressures on areas that have never had them. A major issue for the horse is when looking back they see a "threat" up above them. So, horses react to all this by typically trying to get "rid" of the problem. The rider.

Sonny took it all into stride. He first put his head down and gave a little kick and buck out the back. Jason got his head up, then he started to react to the new image and wave his head around. Within the minute, Sonny has sized it all up and sat peacefully. Jason walked him around a bit, and Sonny new just what to do. He was a little champ. Clive was most impressed.

Clive gave Sonny a decent exercise in the morning to make sure he had the edge off when Jason got on the first time. And talk about taking the edge off...he was asleep after lunch when Clive went to get him ready for Jason! As Clive put it, "I had to get the young bloke out of bed".

So, Sonny was sleeping leading up to the first ride...he was sure worn out. First time Clive had to wake him up after lunch. Sounds like a few blokes I know having a wee kip after a big boozy lunch...but that is another story.

Jason said Sonny felt good under him. Nice strength.

Tomorrow they will take him out to the big yard! All going well.

Update Tue:

Sonny was in bed this morning when Clive went down to feed them breakfast! Little bugger is feeling this new regime!

Jason took Sonny out to the exercise yard today, and walked him around and around. Sonny knew what to do from the get go. He did not put on any show, or try and get rid of Jason.

Day 2 and all well. This process will go on for another 10 days with regular afternoon exercise by Jason. Clive has a very good opinion of him.

A really top point is the way sonny looks under the saddle. Clive said he is a proud looking horse. "Looks really tops". Makes you happy when you see a horse look so proud under a saddle.

All good so far!