Kansas Buffalo SoldierPage 2 |
Mounting Block and Tarp TrainingClick on any picture below for a larger view. |
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Yearling Dec 2004 "Fun Day" We had a warm day in December 2004, so I decided to work with Soldier. I have always wanted him to mount up on a pedestal but I needed Jim to make me a pedestal. Then I saw our mounting block and got the idea I would use the mounting block. So next on the agenda was to teach Soldier to mount up on the block. No problem, he had that one down in no time. Next I put some obstacles in the round pen for him to walk across; no problem he would follow me, like a dog, across them. I then decide I would see what Soldier would do with a blue tarp as I had never introduced him to one before. Soldier had no problem with the tarp. I placed it on his back and all around, all he wanted to do was well……chew it. Yes, chewing…Soldiers downfall, he needs a large “horsy pacifier!!” He is a motor mouth that has prehensile lips like an elephant. Opps, sidetracking, back to the tarp. I then put the tarp on the ground and Soldier had no problem walking over it. Well, yes, he did have a problem…he wanted to stop and chew on the tarp as he was walking over it. I then let him have fun with the tarp and fun he had tossing that thing high in the sky and all about. The next thing I tried was the shocker and a learning experience for me. I then decided to drag the tarp to let Soldier get used to the noise of the dragging and movement. Soldier, instead of being startled began to follow it and step on it. Once he stepped on and stopped the tarp he would of course chew it. So I picked up the pace and ran with it. Before I knew it Soldier was in high gear, ears back, neck stretched and attaching the tarp. I was SHOCKED. Never did I expect such a response from him. I know he and the other horses will chase dogs, chickens, peafowl and cats occasionally, and when Eli’s heifer got in with Soldier tried to herd her. I knew animals were fun toys to ours horse, but I never thought they would herd a tarp!!! What a surprise. Now I need to see if the other horses do this. I never knew he would do this! A learning experience for me……. |
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Soldier mounted on the “mounting block”, he has
a whip in his mouth, his pacifier :o)))
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| Young Soldier gets to know the tarp through the senses of sight, smell, touch/feel, taste, listen/noise. He has inherited the gene of sensibility and boldness. This was the first time Soldier had ever seen a blue crinkling loud tarp. He is sound enough in mind to gather his thoughts and senses not fear the unknown. A quality we cherish and look for in our horses. | |
 Here Soldier is mildly beginning to work the tarp. |
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| Herding ability. Soldier's dam line goes back to Sweet's bred horses which were bred and used to be ranch horses. Through both sire and dam lines Soldier no doubt has the ability to herd or cut cattle. These photo's depict the incredible instinct. | |
 Here is a head shot of Soldier. When we were done I sat down in the pen and Soldier looked at me with his knowing and intelligent eyes trying to figure out what I was doing. His eyes seem to say; “What are you doing Mom; are you OK, did I do something wrong?” |
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| Soldier gets the tarp stopped and lastly Soldier is still interested but I am wrapping up the day and the tarp. | |
Hobbling LessonClick on any picture below for a larger view. |
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| I always like to test a horse to see if they will accept restraint in the form of hobbles. Many horses are not of the nature to accept or tolerate hobbles; training these type horses take a long time and some horses just will not accept them. I like the type of horse that will accept hobbles. When Soldier was a yearling I decided to give him the "hobble" test to see how he would do. | ||
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Soldier was let loose in the ring with his hobbling
equipment. He decided he wanted to check out the equipment. Soldier
is a horse that must touch, feel and mouth everything. I was told
once by a farm visitor that this was a sign of intelligence. I believe
he was right.
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One of the things I like to do is test my horses
to see how well they accept hobbles. Some horses find it very difficult
to accept hobbles as their legs are their "fight or flight" mechanism.
I prefer to own horses that will calmly accept hobbles; the type
of horses that do not panic. Pictured is Soldier seconds after the
very first time hobbles were applied. Soldier inspects the equipment
that is restraining his legs then stands there in acceptance. He
was calm throughout this process. No panicking, lounging or becoming
"crazed" in anyway. I was very pleased by his response. The next
step, tying one of his back legs to the front hobbles.
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| Soldier inspects the equipment which restrains his back leg. Of course he took it all in stride and did not care. He seem to "know" what this was about and stood. So I continued and wrapped him up with cotton rope. Soldier is a true champ. He passed his hobbling/rope test with flying colors!! The more I work with this horse the more I realize how special he is. He couples beauty with intelligence/trainability and a calm mind. | ||
TrainingClick on any picture below for a larger view. |
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Soldier remembered his lessons well as a young foal.
One of the things I had taught him was to do a turn on his haunches.
Here I am asking Soldier to turn on his haunches. Even as a yearling
you can see Soldier is very responsive to my request. His great
intelligence and trainability is reflected through his body language
and demeanor.
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One day I decided I would try to teach Soldier to bow. After a small time working with him Soldier knew what I wanted and bowed. Pictured is the very first day and very first lessons of Soldier bowing. I do enjoy working with this horse. |
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The MeetingClick on any picture below for a larger view. |
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| Steve and Glenda Farrier purchased Soldiers older brother Fort. In 2004 Roxanne, Soldiers and Fort's dam had a lovely black Filly called KS Bluestem Angel Sings aka "Flyer". Glenda really loved this little filly and decided she would make a nice pair for Fort. In Oct 2004 Glenda came to pick up Flyer and brought Fort along for the experience. | ||
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Pictured are photo's of full siblings Fort and Soldier
meeting for the first time and the last photo is of all three full
siblings; Fort, Soldier and the lovely Flyer. Glenda just loves
Flyer too and said she is her "soul mate". I am honored that Glenda
Farrier choose to purchase horses from us.
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The full siblings (Puckett X Roxanne):
Fort - 2 year old light green halter Soldier - Yearling - tan halter Flyer - weanling |
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 The lovely Flyer; full sister to Fort and Soldier. Photo taken the day she left our farm. Flyer is expressing her joy of life. |
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Yearling Photos - SummerClick on any picture below for a larger view. |
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 Our lovely Soldier displaying his lovely trot as a yearling. Notice his powerful hindquarter; this is the driving force or the engine of his magnificent trot. He is practicing the "dressage silhouette". |
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Soldier and Uncle BeauClick on any picture below for a larger view. |
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Soldier's dam is Roxanne who is a full sister
to Beau our beloved gelding. Soldier looks very much like Beau
and seems to like to hang around with him. Pictured is Beau and
the young yearling Soldier trying to be and do everything just
like his big "Uncle Beau".
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Yearling Photos - SpringClick on any picture below for a larger view. |
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Soldier spring 2004 A portrait of Soldier coming into his yearling year. Photos capture his lovely head, eye, bone, substance, lovely movement and his joy of life among his herd mates. |
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 "The Welcome Home Hug" |
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 This image is full-sized. |
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Click on any picture below for a larger view.
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< At 6 months Yearling photos > |
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Foal Pictures |
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 At one day old. |
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 Photo taken at 12 days. |
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 Photo taken at 12 days. |
 Photo taken at 16 days. |
 Photo taken at 16 days. |
 Photo taken at 16 days. |
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Jim & Suzanne Avery DVM |
Photos and Logo copyright © 2000 Kansas Bluestem
Morgans
Backgrounds and other graphics copyright © 2000 TDM Equine Design