*Note*

For the next week, the posting frequency may, or may not slow down. I have finals scheduled all next week, and I will be spending alot of time preparing for them. I will still be working with Ace everyday, but I will not be doing any extended sessions unless he starts going backwards in our training. After the 13th, everything will be back to normal and regular updates will commence. Sorry, just a heads up if you check regularly. 

Update: May 3, 2009

Ace did very well today, my birthday. He accepted the western saddle much easier than the english, even though it is much scarier, just because he's had the last two days to practice. He had a MAJOR bucking fit today, between the back cinch and the sturrips hitting him, he blew up. He bucked hard for a good five minutes before he stopped. His sides where heaving so hard it scared me. I sure as hell do not want to be on his back if he launches into a full fledged buck off. I doubt a professional bronc rider could stay on him. When he panics, man is he rank. Talk about intimidating. SO. We are doing ALOT of ground work before I get on =] But he did calm down, and all was well. He lunged for the first time in the arena, and he did great. VERY productive day =]

Update May 2, 2009

I cinched up the english saddle today, (Sorry no pics, it was raining and cold) he did really well I was shocked that he didn't even buck once. He was pretty nervous, but handled him self well. I had him saddle in about 2 minutes versus the hour I worked with him yesterday just getting him comfortable with the saddle. I am not in a rush, I will do what ever it takes to get him to where I need him to be. I feel great about our progress, he's only been home for a week and a day and already got him saddled, haltered, lunging, picked up all four feet. 

=] Can't wait for tomorrow. 

P.S. Tomorrow is my birthday. Maybe my present to myself will be getting him saddled western. Bet he'll blow. 

Update: May 1, 2009

Ace is doing great. I worked on saddling him yesterday with an old english saddle that has the irons removed. Overall he did really well, but he was not too fond of the jingling sound the buckles on the girth made. I didn't get it cinched up because it started pouring rain, perhaps tomorrow. Ace has been easy to catch everyday that he's been here. Thank god because it took me two and a half weeks until I could catch trust easy. 

Goals for tomorrow:

• Drive Ace with lines through the leathers
• Saddle him english cinch and all /Possibly saddle him western 
• Teach him to longe on a long line in the arena.