silkyraven | [Dino] Getting down to work

So, I think a Dino update is overdue! We've had 10 weeks of baby horse joy so far and I think he's petty much settled in. In my last update we had just started getting him under saddle and we having a problem with mounting - I'm happy to say that he's now totally cool about this and stands like a rock by the mounting block, regardless of how long I spend faffing about 'cos I just got cramp or forgot to put my gloves on. He's getting used to standing around while we faff about generally actually which is a good, 'cos this will be a feature of his life..!

Pics are compulsory I know so here he is with M this morning:

Milestones achieved since mid-November include:
- the shoes came off!! And it's made a huge difference to his gait actually, he's moving much more lightly than before, and the thrush he had going on cleared up almost instantly so that's awesome too
- we conquered the mounting block and he's being much more consistent under saddle. Still only walking and trotting but his balance is improving all the time and he's much more confident about carrying a rider
- we had our first hack out with M riding Pico and me riding Dino down the bridle path on Monday. Dino was pretty unbalanced going down the hills but they were both excellent and it was really nice to be able to ride them both at the same time
- he's really chilled about hanging around in the yard, being tacked up, untacked, left milling about while we mess around with boots and nattering and generally an *extremely* well mannered young man about the yard. He can be brat-ish when worked - he tends to get to a point at which he feels he's done enough and then pulls faces when asked to keep going but it's all face-pulling and a little barging and then he gives in so that's fine really.
- he really is the most *gorgeous* colour. Really. I know everyone thinks their horse is the prettiest in the world but mine really is beautiful. And he's growing a proper mane now. He is going to be soooooo pretty when his mane is as full as his tail!
- he is still the mouthiest beast in the world. He will pick *anything* up left lying within reach! So far he has destroyed the plastic cover that was protecting the fire hydrant outside his box from the elements and not infrequently throws brushes over my head if I leave them in reach when picking out his back feet! It's too funny. So we're teaching him to 'drop'. Pretty much like I used to teach my dog *giggle*
- in less good milestones he's had his first bout of mud fever so he's been in this week. Pretty much everyone on the yard has had some (including Pico!) so it's no surprise and we were on the look out for it so he only got a mild case but it is annoying. He's been pretty good about being stuck in after a slightly exuberante episode of galloping around me on the lunge on Saturday..!

We've been continuing to work him a lot on the long lines, and also free-schooling, which is really helping him remember how many legs he's got (although, he frequently forgets which is quite cute). Here's some video from this morning of him working with M - you can see the difference between his balance now and on the earlier vids (click through my YouTube files if you're curious!). I had planned to get some footage of him under saddle today but got distracted. I'll try and get some next week.

"Ruth and Dino 2/3/19 - 3" (Watch on YouTube)

So that's us up to date I think. Our next goals are to try and develop a bit of left bend and keep working on getting him to bring his butt under him a bit. We've got 'back' well established on the lines now, and almost working under saddle - next steps are working on rein back to trot a bit and maybe some more giravlota type stuff. He can step 'over' quite well now.

And so he doesn't feel forgotten here is M and Pico this morning, with His Legginess displaying his new Baker rug: