For the first gentle introduction to saddles and riding 2 years ago I hired Minnie's trainer to come out to our place. He came once or twice a week and made good progress here.
Now I'd like for her to finish her training and he thinks she will be absolutely amazing. :inlove:
But the way people usually do it is to send the horse to the trainer's property so he has an opportunity to work with her every day. That would mean if she stays there a month she would have at least 20 lessons and I would be welcome to come anytime because he thinks it's important for me to know and learn alongside of her what cues she is learning to respond to.
So she would stay there and get training at the same time for the same amount that it would cost for 6 offsite lessons on our property.
He has a nice place with turn out and would very slowly introduce her to the rest of the horses there. I've really liked his no gadget, gentle way with horses and I am happy with the trainer.
But I am feeling super anxious about letting her go offsite for a month.
Maybe it's related to boarding DJ and how it changed him.
Or maybe it's just that she's never left home since she came here as a yearling. We have 3 horses and while she always has company, DJ and Bixby (my other mare) have more of a pair bond so in some ways I feel like I am Minnie's pair bond substitute, the one she follows, the one that scratches her itchy spots, etc.
I wonder if she will be as sad as I will be to have her gone. And she won't even know she will come back! :cry:
And how will it affect herd dynamics when she does come back? Will they easily accept her back or give her a hard time?
Since I do want to start taking her places including the large barn I take my own lessons at exposure to a large barn environment may be good.
But she is so flawless and unspoiled at this point. If she comes back and anything bad happens to her or changes her I'll be devastated.
So to send her off? Or to not send her off?
Now I'd like for her to finish her training and he thinks she will be absolutely amazing. :inlove:
But the way people usually do it is to send the horse to the trainer's property so he has an opportunity to work with her every day. That would mean if she stays there a month she would have at least 20 lessons and I would be welcome to come anytime because he thinks it's important for me to know and learn alongside of her what cues she is learning to respond to.
So she would stay there and get training at the same time for the same amount that it would cost for 6 offsite lessons on our property.
He has a nice place with turn out and would very slowly introduce her to the rest of the horses there. I've really liked his no gadget, gentle way with horses and I am happy with the trainer.
But I am feeling super anxious about letting her go offsite for a month.
Maybe it's related to boarding DJ and how it changed him.
Or maybe it's just that she's never left home since she came here as a yearling. We have 3 horses and while she always has company, DJ and Bixby (my other mare) have more of a pair bond so in some ways I feel like I am Minnie's pair bond substitute, the one she follows, the one that scratches her itchy spots, etc.
I wonder if she will be as sad as I will be to have her gone. And she won't even know she will come back! :cry:
And how will it affect herd dynamics when she does come back? Will they easily accept her back or give her a hard time?
Since I do want to start taking her places including the large barn I take my own lessons at exposure to a large barn environment may be good.
But she is so flawless and unspoiled at this point. If she comes back and anything bad happens to her or changes her I'll be devastated.
So to send her off? Or to not send her off?