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Post by swissgrl on Aug 15, 2008 19:32:50 GMT -5
Today we took Merlin and Trevor a few walks down the street. They both did absolutely wonderful. We had kids running around, ATV's, a steer...... no biggy. The last trip we took we went just about to the main Road at the end of my street. Merlin got a bit excited because there were horses across the street, and he decided he had to let them know that he has arrived ;D
Anyways, just a little update on how he's coming along.
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NanciK
Super Pooper Scooper
Posts: 0
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Post by NanciK on Aug 15, 2008 19:38:24 GMT -5
Of course, we're waiting for more ... pictures!
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Post by swissgrl on Sept 19, 2008 8:49:42 GMT -5
Last Saturday, I saddled up Arrow, and ponied Merlin off him. Both did absolutely great. Merlin let me pet him all over from Arrows back, moved right up to his side when I asked him.
Then I realised, wow, these two boys were both supposed to go to slaughter and here they are, teacher and student. How lucky am I to have them both.
I still need to upload the pictures and post them.
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Post by paintedlady on Sept 19, 2008 12:57:05 GMT -5
Merlin got a bath today, and I thought I better take a picture before he rolls..... Not the best, but he sure looks very clean ;D  He is sooooo handsome ;D Bet he didnt stay clean for long. Beautiful boy !! Susan |
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Post by swissgrl on Sept 19, 2008 16:57:21 GMT -5
about 2.5 seconds after the halter came off ;D
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Post by jenm on Sept 19, 2008 17:20:17 GMT -5
How is he coming along? Would love to see more pictures!
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Post by swissgrl on Sept 19, 2008 22:12:03 GMT -5
Here you go, these are from last Saturday. ;D   |
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Post by kidznhorses on Sept 19, 2008 23:30:27 GMT -5
Awesome pics, Swissy! Arrow looks like the perfect teacher horse. And Merlin looks absolutely stunning. I think that boy has grown since I last saw him! He's one classy dude!  You're doing a fabulous job! Looking forward to the day you swing that leg over!  |
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Post by swissgrl on Sept 23, 2008 11:45:48 GMT -5
Awesome pics, Swissy! Arrow looks like the perfect teacher horse. And Merlin looks absolutely stunning. I think that boy has grown since I last saw him! He's one classy dude! You're doing a fabulous job! Looking forward to the day you swing that leg over! just waiting to get my round pen back for that. We're ready, but I'm a bit reluctant to do that in the big arena..... |
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Post by swissgrl on Nov 9, 2008 16:02:40 GMT -5
WE DID IT!!!!! Yesterday Merlin and I had our first ride together. I'm so very proud of him, he did awesome. For those of you who know his story, can understand how proud I am of him, and how happy I am to have him. We had Arrow in for moral support, and as a Mentor! Well, here are a few pictures of our big step together. finally off the "leash" and on our own.  And to think that these 2 were destined for slaughter Merlin (CBER Randel) and Arrow (CBER Hagar).   |
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Post by sundancer on Nov 9, 2008 18:45:25 GMT -5
Great pics! I'm proud of you and Merlin! As soon as my back heals, I'm going to take Beauty for a ride.
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Post by swissgrl on Nov 11, 2008 15:23:20 GMT -5
Great pics! I'm proud of you and Merlin! As soon as my back heals, I'm going to take Beauty for a ride. you still have to come visit, and play with the Mustangs. They're still here, and absolutely adorable. To bad I can't keep them. Hope you're feeling better soon |
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Post by piopico on Nov 12, 2008 14:41:17 GMT -5
Merlin is looking great. You really took the time with him, and the results show.....congrats.....
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Post by swissgrl on Nov 15, 2008 21:37:10 GMT -5
We had our second ride today. I'm really glad I took my time with him, and spend all this work on ground training. He was an absolute gem. Of course Arrow was there again as a mentor, which helped. But we were able to turn away from him, do circles around him, all calm and cool as can be. So far he is responding very lightly to cues. I'm only riding in halter with the reins attached. We're still working on the bridling. He is getting better at keeping his head low when I put the bridle over his ears. Again, we're taking our time :-)
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Post by patrolhorse on Nov 16, 2008 2:38:48 GMT -5
WONDERFUL job with him swissy  !! You should be very proud- looks like you have built a great foundation of trust with him. Wishing you many great rides ahead- keep us updated. |
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Post by lorsadoon on Nov 16, 2008 20:44:09 GMT -5
Congrats on Merlin. I am glad to see he is turning into a good horse.
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Post by swissgrl on Nov 19, 2008 13:26:54 GMT -5
Merlin got his teeth done for the first time. The vet gave him a pretty good cocktail, but I still got that "HOW COULD YOU" look from him.
He did so much better than my arab did, and they both had the same cocktail!
Oh, and farrier work, piece of cake now.
Now I just got to see if he remembers that the blanket is a nice, comfy, warm thing ;D
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Post by swissgrl on Dec 12, 2008 20:37:20 GMT -5
We had our 4th ride today, he is so awesome. Very light, doing circles, u-turns, moving off the rail, and back on. His stops are very solid, and he rocks back nicely.
And yes, he did remember that the blanket is a good thing ;D
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Post by swissgrl on Apr 6, 2009 19:28:23 GMT -5
couple new pictures of Merlin from today.   |
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Post by caryn on Apr 6, 2009 20:17:20 GMT -5
He is just stunning, swissy! I could just look at him all day  |
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Post by swissgrl on Apr 7, 2009 7:15:23 GMT -5
He is just stunning, swissy! I could just look at him all day Thanks Caryn, I think so too, and so does he for that matter  He is quite the little stud and leader of the pack around here. |
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Post by swissgrl on Jun 22, 2009 14:35:12 GMT -5
My $500.00 slaughter rescue is turning into a Million $ horse ;D . He just amazes me every week, I usually give him Monday and Tuesday off (got other chores to do as well), and then start patzing around with him Wednesday and Thursday, and Friday and Saturday we hit him good with lessons. Things we haven't covered for a long time, he just clicks right back in, we might have to work on it for 30 minutes, and then he goes, 'oh, yeah, NOW I remember....'. I haven't ridden him in a while as we were working on bridling, letting me touch his ears without me getting my head knocked off. He now scoops up the halter and the bridle when I ask him to, he lowers his head, and for the most part keeps it so low, that I don't have to lift my arms above my shoulders to halter/bridle him. He accepts the bit without any questions, and is just in general a nice, quiet, sweet boy. He is so respectful, I see him out in pasture how he's playing with the other young ones, and how rough he can be, but with me, he is very polite, and respects me completely. So on Saturday we went back to getting up on the saddle, he was a bit leary at first having me on the fence, so then we got the mounting block, and it was all good, got right up there, he didn't even take a step, totally relaxed, not worried, no prancing. I swear all the time and money put into him is soooooooo worth it. Next weekend we're doing an excursion down the hill to my trainers place, and see how he does off the property, with GIRLS around ;D I'm thinking about trying some reining with him when he's got some miles under him. It'll be a while, but I think he would do really well. anyways, just haven't bragged about him in a while, he was due |
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Post by kidznhorses on Jun 22, 2009 23:41:46 GMT -5
SIGH... I love hearing wonderful things about Merlin. He IS a million dollar horse. Hoping for new pics soon, Swissy! |
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Post by swissgrl on Nov 16, 2012 9:09:39 GMT -5
Just wanted to give you guys an update on Mr. Merlin. He has been in training (riding) with Angi Keitel for the last 5 or 6 months. He has definitely been a huge challenge to start. But Angi has done an amazing job, and he now rides very nice in the arena, he hates the roundpen, and definitely makes you work your tush off in there. Angi also started him on trail rides around the ranch.
End of December is a low cost gelding clinic in my town, and he's scheduled to (hopefully) loose his cojones then, if they can find them. I've been going back and forth on wether I want to do it or not, but researching it, I decided I would rather have them try to find them and get them out. Hopefully it will help him a little bit with his studliness too over time.
I absolutely adore this boy, and actually got to ride him a few times now when I went to visit. I can't wait to have him back home again, and start our riding journey together.
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Post by mustang1 on Dec 17, 2012 22:28:02 GMT -5
When can we see more pictures of your beautiful Merlin out on the trails?
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You're doing a fabulous job! Looking forward to the day you swing that leg over! 
!! 
He is quite the little stud and leader of the pack around here.