[Gerry]

Hi my name is Gerry and I live in Wales in the UK. I’m so happy to be here , I’ve read all of Anna s books and followed some of her blogs. I have a small herd of two!! Grafitti a 16hh tb x cob approximately 11 years old and we’ve been together about 7 years. Hobbit a Shetland x who is 4 years old and about 11.2 and he’s been with us for 2years. He is a companion for Grafitti but I have just taught him to drive – bitless and blinkerless, and we also do horse agility. Grafitti came from a trekking centre bringing some baggage with him ! He had anxieties with the saddle and saddling process. I think while he was at the trekking centre he kept himself within the herd and just got on with it. Since coming to me he certainly let’s me know his opinion on things! I didn’t know any of his language in the beginning, for example I just ignored the tail swishing and fidgeting when saddling up, until he finally said to me. I’ve tried telling you that I’m not happy about the saddle, but perhaps you’ll listen to this! as I got on him he bucked me off – head right down between his front feet – back feet up in the air needless to say I listened!! Unfortunately it knocked my confidence. Since then we have done loads of groundwork, walking out in hand, horse agility and liberty., I like to think we have a good relationship now and if I’m going to fast for him he tells me so with a short sharp nip!! I have started riding him again and take it really slowly, but I’m not always sure when he just decides to stop or brace about going in a different direction whether he’s scared or just trying out my leadership. Hobbit on the other hand is definitely confident in all environments and if he was a couple of hands bigger I’d be happy enough to ride him!! So I’m so glad to be here at the barn to continue on a never ending journey of learning the horses language and excited about trying the neck rope and flat figure 8 exercises with Grafitti.

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