[ScarletFeather11]

Week 6

Sunday, the beginning of the week. Ranger and I woke up pretty early and we went back to working together. We started on cantering today so were just doing transitions with that. I think by Thursday we'll work on commands or who knows maybe earlier than that. He is an intelligent horse.

Monday, it was better. Ranger was good overall and he did well with transitioning yesterday. We kept that up all day and surprisingly he excelled in it. He's better than I thought and he knows how to be an overachiever which is a good thing in my eyes. Towards the evening I put him out in the pasture and I went out with my friends again on a trail ride which was the most relaxing trip I've been on all summer. I enjoyed my time and as soon as I got home I made sure Ranger was alright then went to bed.

Tuesday, surprisingly for me it was a great day. Ranger was ready for commands and he took them all in slowly like he has been doing which was better. Overall he did great on Tuesday. He got done early so I earned myself a free evening. Ren had texted me that night wanting me to meet him out by the small river out in the forest. I in a huff followed the trail out there on Dixie and to my surprise there was a picnic set up all for me, Ren sitting there in his swim trunks for us to go swimming together. He apologized and had said he only talked to the girl as she was an old friend and he wanted her opinion on how to impress me, his girlfriend. She said her boyfriend always did something unique, simple, and memorable. This, was all of the above.

Wednesday, the middle of the week. Ranger had a misstep every now and then but he was taking his time with everything. I praised him as much as I could and corrected the gelding as well when he needed the correction. He was better with it all and before the end of the day we had moved on to working with very small beginner's jumps. He's an amazing jumper and I'm proud to make him my show jumper once he's fully trained.

Thursday, the day Ranger succeeded greatly. Ranger had done perfect all day. He had me moving him up to a small higher jump and he knew his commands which was a huge plus for me. We ended early and I had him bathed and set out in the field once more.

Friday, just a review day. We reviewed pretty much everything so I hope next week him and I can start saddling and working on having weight on his back. I've been working on and off with laying myself on my stomach over his back carefully and surprisingly the weight doesn't bother him. He only moves a little but doesn't stir or kick at all which is a good thing.

Saturday, just our relaxing day. Him and I just kicked back and relaxed around together after a small bit of review.

[ScarletFeather11]

Week 7

Sunday, the happy beginning day of week 7. Ranger and I all day just kept reviewing up and got him used to switching quickly and understanding his commands easier. We went back to his small jumps and kept him at it, taking it slow then slowly speeding up for timed challenges and such. Remarkably he did well.

Monday, saddle pad day. Ranger did fine with one more review session for the morning. After that I took him back inside and laid across his back sideways like I had been doing over the past summer to warm him up to the weight. He flinched once but other than that he wasn't phased by anything. He only flicked his ears and bent his neck down to sniff at the concrete flooring of the barn. We set the saddle pad on him first for today to get him used to the material. He pinned his ears back once but other than that he didn't budge.

Tuesday, saddle day. I did the same thing as yesterday with the review and went back to laying on his back and rubbing around his pelt to get him used to the feeling of hands all over his fur. I then started him with the saddle pad and worked him with the saddle. I laid on the saddle sideway and kept my eye on Ranger. He didn't stir, only moved once to take a step forward.

Wednesday, middle of the week. Ranger and I worked on review only for Wednesday to keep everything fresh in his mind. He did well and we went back to weight, the saddle, and saddle pad as well. He did well with everything and I was very proud of him for it all.

Thursday, week 7 is almost over. Ranger and I worked all morning with the girth. He nipped at me once from the tightness of it underneath his forelimbs but eventually got over it. We worked with that the rest of the day and got him used to the feeling of that and the weight. Thankfully he didn't kick out at me.

Friday, once more a review day. All we really did was review and get him used to the girth connected to the saddle. Ranger soon gave up fighting me with it and relaxed himself in it. We ended early and he was put in his stall for the night as it was about to storm.

Saturday, the last day of week 7. Like usual it was our break day. Review all morning and relax all afternoon together from a long week of hard work.

[ScarletFeather11]

Week 8

Sunday, the beginning of week 8. Review and getting Ranger used to feet in the stirrups of the saddle was all we did. He wasn't able to keep still all morning which resulted in basic scolding which he took in right away when my voice hardened. He eventually calmed down and let me keep my feet in the stirrups and carefully lift myself into it then settle back down onto the mounting block. We did this our whole lesson until he was completely aware of me and comfortable with it.

Monday, almost there. Ranger was fully aware of the saddle, extra weight, and everything else. Now we just had to get him used to the bridle. We started off with the bit first, only that for today. He was alright with it, shaking his head every now and then and making weird faces but overall he did fine.

Tuesday, one step closer. All I did with Ranger was fully tack him up and work with the bit and bridle more. Eventually I had him fully tacked with him used to everything. He did great and I went back to putting weight on his back as always to keep him used to everything. He didn't budge only flicked his ears around the whole time.

Wednesday, middle of the week as always. I worked with Ranger more with the tack, walking him around carefully, making sure he knew I was the one in charge. He did well with the tack on him. He shook himself out once but other than that he did rather well which surprised me. He flicked his tail around and nickered at the horses in the pastures curiously and whinnied at the ones in the arena doing riding lessons with the younger children of the stables.

Thursday, almost accomplished. Ranger was walked around some more and reviewed about his commands and gaits. Eventually I had him back in the barn and starting to get onto his back in the saddle very slowly. I worked on that and praised my gelding as he did rather well. He moved away once but other than that he stayed perfectly still for me.

Friday, almost over. I kept doing what I did yesterday and worked with Ranger getting used to me in the saddle. He was alright except he kept wanting to move around. He couldn't stand still for long. I reassured him and rubbed his neck as I kept him halted. He relaxed eventually and stood still as I kept murmuring reassuring words to him.

Saturday, like always break day. I worked with Ranger once more all morning and got him under my control. I started doing more commands and he kept listening, keeping himself cautious of his surroundings as I controlled him. At the end I praised him and fed him a few treats as a reward.

[ScarletFeather11]

Week 9

Sunday, the first day of the week. All on Sunday I worked with Ranger with commands and listening to the rider. He did well but had a few issues every now and then. Eventually I had him all sorted out and got him straight after solving his problems. Towards the end of the day we accomplished pretty much everything I needed him to know.

Monday, so close to the end of the summer. Ranger did great all Monday. He's doing better listening to me, his rider, and has started working on gaits. He's a little cautious still but he overcomes it as soon as he's warmed up to his surroundings. I keep him focused and he makes sure I'm safe as we work together.

Tuesday, another day of working. Ranger is fully done I think with everything. Were working on jumping for now and he's still learning. Were keeping him on small jumps for now until I know he's confident enough for higher ones. Overall he's very good with it all.

Wednesday, review day. I really only reviewed Ranger all day. I towards the end went back to jumps with him and kept him familiar with that along with starting to work him in the arena around other horses. He's fine with it to me. He doesn't nip or cause any trouble which is a very good thing. He's done very well these past few weeks.

Thursday, almost the end of week 9. Ranger is good with jumping. We worked more today and he's done very well. I do think he needs to improve some more but I can boost him up another time. For now I just want to concentrate on him knowing he's safe and has nothing to worry about when we ride together.

Friday, almost over. Ranger to me, is officially done. He's the best horse I've ever seen on my father's farm. He's very intelligent, sweet, fun, and overall just a great horse. I love him and I'm very proud to call him my own.

Saturday, break day and a little more extra review. Ranger took in more review and a couple other commands just to keep him on his hooves. He's done well so far and I'm proud to call him mine.

[ScarletFeather11]

Week 10
Final Entry

Ranger as been the best horse to work for all summer for the makeover. He's very intelligent, sweet, fun, and a horse with his own personality. He has a wonderful career ahead of him and he's done so well. He's had some challenges in his way but he broke through it and overcame those ups and downs in a blink of an eye. Overall I've had fun and I love him to death. He's perfectly marked and has that sweet face that makes everyone fall for him.

All of His Art

~Lines by Me~






















~Lines are NOT mine~


~Lines are NOT mine~


~Lines are NOT mine~


~Lines are NOT mine~