Anna
Thank you for keeping us posted about all your progress. What a beautiful boy you have, and you are so brave for taking him.
I have not done this myself, but have heard of others doing it - sandbags to get the horse used to carrying weight. They put on the saddle, then drape the sandbags over the saddle, then lead the horse while the horse gets used to the weight. The saddle helps distribute the weight over the horse’s back.
Good luck and keep posting pictures and your progress reports!
Another small step of mine to bragg about
Today was the first time when I walked him not only out and few circles around the house, but walked him properly up and down the road for nearly 2 hours! And “lost” him only once, when car appeared. By some reason he wants to show off for any car except ours (ours he greets and licks gently, but for other cars he is reacting like he would see another horse - showing off 
)
Anyway, he was very nice and obedient. We walked, stoped and were standing still on command, then walked again, then trotted a bit and stand again… turns on left, turns on right - he was veru good boy. Most of the time I was leaning on his shoulder (maybe it is not right, but it really helps me feel more confident with him, and feel about what is in his mind).
And then he returned in box without any discussions, put his head down to get the bridle off - again without discussions… GOOD BOY!
The bad news :winkgrin: - we tried the soap and it is not working! Believe or not, he just ignores the taste of soap and continues chewing the lead. I must really jerk the lead to get it out of his mouth and then for awhile he is ok, but lead just must be in his mouth, and then he is happy.
But these moments when I feel that we are partners… It is really something!
OK, after the walk my hands were really shaky, not tired, but overexcitement, but I’m ready repeat it tomorrow again! It is really exciting to discover a horse when you are 46!
Anna, it is wonderful to hear about your successes, and discoveries with horses. Sometimes we forget how truly wonderful these big guys are that let us be part of their world.
I can imagine, that my posts here can be a laughing subjects because it is hard to find somebody who has really no knowledge at all and signs for such a project, and also English is only my third foreign language, but I will keep posting, if you do not mind it - in my rural area it is really hard to find somebody to ask questions and expect the experienced answers. I’m so thankful that via internet I can ask all you and get different tips and read here, read and read again as there are so many practical answers to my neverending questions. So, please, be patient with me!
We do hope you keep posting. This board is really nice as there is such a broad range of experence & opinions. We all get help and knowledge from others here, and it is really nice to hear about the horses in other countries.
Hey I just saw this thread. I’m on the GSD board too!(Hillyard Farms).
It sounds like your doing great. If you ever get tired of him, send him over here, my Mack and Cody need a another buddy. :lol:
I heard of you this weekend, Anna…at a wedding of all places. 
I am so glad I found this post! I too would like to commend you! Well done!
But you do realize that you have been infected now–you are now a horse person! Soon, you’ll be going to town with hay in your hair and wearing muck boots! :lol:
Lovely progress thus far.
Sending you a PM with some book titles that might be available to you. Cheers!
We did it today! OK, not actually we - just horse and Peter. Today after the walk Pter said": “I feel that horse is in the right mode, let’s try!”
And he did – he sat bareback on horse while I was holding lead, then I gently took the lead off and here they go – like past ten years was a bad dream!
It was unbelievable! No kicks, no any bite/nip attempts, nothing – just perfect riding horse out of the blue!
We know for sure that nobody was on this horse’s back past ten years, but horse (this naughty, naughty stubborn horse) was acting like proper English riding horse – well balanced, responding to each movement of legs (!), not even reins, and he enjoyed it soo much!
Just a bit of trotting, just a bit of canter, but mostly basic turns, stepping back and walking sideway. He is almost perfect, just needs a bit more work on sidewalking… can you believe this?
A lot of today’s pictures here (hronologically back to front)
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v732/barryz15/7-03-08riding/
It’s so nice to read of your progress with this horse. Good for you!
Wonderful!!!
Oh Anna, I am SOOOOOOO happy for you and Peter!!!:):):yes::yes: You are well on your way to a lifetime of enjoyment with Puika!! I was hoping to hear that he was good, and from the pictures it looks like he LOVED it!! He is truly happy to be with you and he likes to please. He will be just as well behaved when you ride him yourself-- I am sure of it. His bond to you and Peter will just get stronger, and he is grateful to you two for giving him a new job and lease on life. Many more happy rides on you darling boy!!
Woo Hoo!!! Fabulous! From the sound, and looks of the pictures, it seems that both had a great time. You guys should be so proud of yourselves and how you have worked with him! :yes:
Keep us posted. I love you hear how you all are doing. Next thing I know, you all will be galloping and jumping around the countryside :D.
I’m so happy, but let’s see how he will be tomorrow. Peter says that he was 100% great, easy and not naughty at all… and after I can say that he was great - I gave him even few kisses!
Puika looks wonderful. He is shiny, muscular and good looking. Peter is riding him well. I really enjoyed those pictures.
Is it possible for you to get an inexpensive safety helmet? Just in case Puika decides to show off for a car while you or Peter is riding him, it is good to have a safety helmet. Many of them are adjustable so the helmet might fit both of you. I don’t know if it is customary in your country to use safety helmets, but they can certainly save your brains.
Good job with Puika. I’ll bet you never dreamed he would be doing so well.
What a wonderful thread Anna! I am so impressed with you and Peter and your efforts with your new friend! What fascinating reading! Please keep us updated!
I just found this thread and you guys are doing an amazing job! He looks great and so do you! Love hearing your stories and most of the pics.
I would try and get a halter of some sort the chain could be a bit dangerous…make sure you get a draft size halter…Keep on going and your English is fine!
Congratulations
Anna, that is such exciting good news! I too have been following this story and this is just the thing to read on a Friday afternoon (where i am in the world!). I love that photo of peter riding with his hands in the air - lol! Reminds me of the second time I got on my green horse (second time ever with any one on her back) and I rode along a trail and quiet country road with no saddle or bridle, only a halter (since we’d been out jogging and then grazing)! It is true, if you open your heart and mind and can read your horse and you know when it is a good time to ask for things.
Your approach to horsemanship is so simple and refreshing and although you never hesitate to tell us how you know nothing about horses, it is a fact you are doing everything correct and instinctual - a true natural as has been said already!
Keep enjoying your big pet and learning and growing together. I have no advice to give, other than keep up with the common sense and sharing the stories and pictures
Thank you. Ivy62, Puika has already two halters, the right size and comfy, but he knows that halter is not a serious thing - we use it only to walk him out. I know, chain looks terrible for most of you, but he is used to it and so far doing well - as far as I know, he had been on chain outside in pastures all his life. Here most animals in smallfarms are trained as youngsters to get used to chain and they do well. My neighbour keeps all her cows on chains, and for last five years (since we live here) there were no any accident (human or animal). So bear with it until proper fencing at least for one run will be done here. Rome was not build in a day and due to our winters and soil, fencing is not an easy job, and for him it must be completely proer and safe.
Helmet is a necessity nr 1, and I’m looking for one adjustable (Peter and me - we just have one size difference, so if not, we shall get one our size). Until today we even did not know that he had been ridden and that he can be ridden again, so we were concentrated on safe groundwork (like proper boots, gloves and leads), but now we must think about riding as well as horse really, really enjoyed it. And peter as well.
That Picture with hands up is when peter was showing me how easy horse is to manage - he was using inside muscles of his tights to turn him around and did it. Most of the time Puika was just enjoying slowly this riding thing so peter was doing all sorts of things like smoking, and kept hands of the reins.
That road is safe as nearly no traffic there, and if car is approaching, both sides there are plenty of space, but horse is not frightened of cars at all - he is also not showing up when peter is on his back - actually it is completely different horse with rider on his back - obedient and working, not that bored naughty spoiled teenager as on lead. Peter used reins mostly to see how he responds, but he also is very good on leg signals, so somebody had trained him very well if he remembres these things and enjoy them so much after 10 year gap.
It looks like you guys are doing a GREAT job with Puika! He’s a beautiful horse and it seems like he has such a great bond with you and Peter. I’m sure it will only get stronger!:yes:
I’m always checking back for updates here and it was so cool to see Peter up on him! They look so happy together in the pictures!
Oh my goodness! How wonderful, and yes this hrose looks to be really enjoying the riding!!! I love the first photo of the road and the sun, and his silouette. He looks like a horse that a knight or warrior of old might ride! You really make my day with your posts!!!
I had a horse just like Puika. He was annoying on the ground, always play biting, fidgeting, dancing around, but when you sat on his back, he was a perfect angel. He bruised a tendon once and had to be on stall rest with walking, and he was much easier to sit on bareback and walk that he was to lead around to walk.
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