WE DID IT!! We got our first ride together tonight. I didn't start out with the intention of riding tonight. I was just going to do some refresher work with Hercules but as I was doing my mounts he remained totally calm so Janet told me to go ahead and get my first ride out of the way. I knew it wouldn't be a long ride as there was a storm movin in and I could see it coming across the valley. Once I was up Herc didn't want to move his feet. (Janet later told me I never really did take my emergency brake off, so I guess I will have to work on that too. :) )

But Hercules did awesome. I couldn't have asked for a better first ride. He remained calm and we finally did get two laps around the round pen before I dismounted and called it.



I am so very proud of my boy. And I think he was pretty proud of himself as well.

I wanted Hercules to look his best for his debut with the local media so I spent some time prior to their arrival cleaning him up a little.



Erika Edberg and her camerman (Doug Flagler) from ABC Channel 4 news arrived, we made our introductions and then got right to work showing them our progress.



First we got saddled up and put his bridle on him. Then we lounged him to show how softly he is learning to travel.



Then we showed them our mounting and dismounting with a relaxed sit. I didn't think I was up to the possibility of a buck on TV so chose not to ask him to move.


Then we took the saddle off and played in the water.


Then it was time for our interview with Erika. I think Hercules was actually posing.



Erika also wanted to lead Hercules around while she was talking. And Hercules was such a gentleman. She seemed to be quite impressed with the big guy. Once we were all done we all said our goodbye's and Hercules got to go finish his breakfast.

Today we did some more work on mounting and dismounting and remaining calm. Then I went ahead and threw my leg over and sat down. I just can't get over how willing Hercules is to please. That is where I called it good. I wanted to end on a good note as a storm was brewing with lightening and thunder.

Then for a change of pace I decided to see how he would load. I haven't asked him to load since I brought him home from Reno. He loaded on the first attempt like he had been loading his entire life. But I think I am going to have to get a taller trailer.

Today we made some great progress. I added the rear cinch to the saddle and let Hercules pack that around for a little bit and then started doing some prepatory work for mounting. Though nervous Hercules did great with it and seemed to settle down rather quickly. We are definitely on our way to having a successful first ride.

Then I decided to have some fun with Hercules and he decided to show off with the hose. I think this horse has decided he really likes water for something else besides washing his feet in his water trough every day. :)

Now that Hercules' angles are more correct I decided that tonight was the night for his first saddle. I had to clean stalls before I could really "work" with Hercules so I took in the old saddle and put it in the middle of the round pen so that he could investigate it and play with it (which he really likes to do). I also took my second wheelbarrow in and left it in the round pen and I think Hercules spent more time trying to figure out how to get in to it then he did actually playing with the saddle. Janet was busy with yard work so missed getting any pictures.
Once the "chores" were done I put the saddle on Herc. At first he moved off very quiet but then realized the saddle was cinched in place and so took a lap around the round pen trying to get it off. Then he quieted down and would do walk, trot and canter both ways relaxed.