I love Cuervo!
I finally had a chance today to go see our horses Billie and Cuervo. We've had my husband's palomino, Cuvero, in training for a month and a half and he was just starting to make real progress. When we bought him we were told that he had over 120 days of training and was ten years old. Turns out he had 60 days (or less) and is six years old and hadn't been "messed with" in almost three years. Green as grass with attitude. Ha! Horse people....gotta love 'em, right? Anyway, he's so gorgeous that I don't care if he was the Devil's own, which he isn't...Just maybe a little confused about the hierarchy of the horse and rider relationship.
It was a little cold, damp and a bit windy but I thought I'd ride anyway. I was very pleasantly surprised! After not being on him in more than ten days, I just jumped on him without even lunging and off we went! I have to say the trainer did an outstanding job! He responded promptly and willingly to the aids. Understands the difference between when I'm using my leg for lateral movement and when I'm asking to go forward. Responded to "whoa" (which he previously thought was optional) and held his gaits beautifully. He used to do this weird speed up slow/down thing which was really annoying. We did have a few A.D.D moments when he almost ran us into a pole, but he was distracted by a school bus. (He's fascinated by shiny flashing objects!) At least he didn't spook and run out. But all things considered we had a really nice ride! A bright spot in an otherwise gloomy day.