Ellsworth had an excellent adventure on Saturday. He provided us with one surprise after another and we’re so incredibly proud of him.
He loaded right up into the trailer… a huge surprise. This was Ellsworth’s first time being trailered since he came to Morning Bray Farm. Carson will remember that it wasn’t so easy getting him into the trailer the last time.
His brothers gave him a big send off.
Bernard actually tried to get into the trailer with Ellsworth. Sorry, Bernard, not this time.
Instead of my usual Saturday morning riding lesson, my riding instructor graciously offered to help us work with Ellsworth.
Ellsworth Big Red has done a great job with our riding sessions at home, but we’re ready to take things to the next level.
When we arrived at L’s farm, I think Don and I both expected for Ellsworth to act up. There were all kinds of new things going on for him, not to mention at least a dozen talking horses.
Instead, he was an angel. He was calm, poised and eager.
After Ellsworth checked out his new surroundings, my instructor gave us a ground work lesson. Ellsworth was a star pupil.
R, my instructor’s grandson, happened to be there on Saturday. R has probably been riding horses since before he could walk and was eager to work with Ellsworth. It was a beautiful thing.
Watching R and Ellsworth was amazing. (Carson, now I know exactly what you mean about purpose and intent.) Ellsworth was stunning. R’s confidence shined through Ellsworth.
They rode the round pen and stayed on the rail. Ellsworth looked like he was born to do this.
R was assertive, calm and quiet. Ellsworth was proud. That’s my boy.
What a morning. Ellsworth walked out with Don with his head held high.
Ellsworth took one last look at the horses before Don walked him through the gate. The look on his face said, “I’m hangin’ with the big dogs now.”
That’s my boy. We’re so proud of you Ellsworth. So proud. ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
March 21, 2011 at 5:28 am
Good Job, Ellsworth!! Such a fine young man 😉
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March 21, 2011 at 5:34 am
That was fabulous…GOOD job Big Red!
I see some trail rides with Lucy in your near future! 🙂
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March 21, 2011 at 5:47 am
Good job Ellsworth! Tell it to your brothers!
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March 21, 2011 at 6:03 am
Donkeys can be SO good. Good job Red
Look out Lucy, I see competition for best saddle donkey!
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March 21, 2011 at 6:11 am
I’m screaming here, knowing Lucy and I will soon have you two as trail partners. Ellsworth was moving out so beautifully! Look at him go! With no bit in his mouth, either. So can you hire R to come to your place and help you work with the Big E regularly (before R gets any taller and his feet start dragging on the ground)?
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March 21, 2011 at 6:32 am
He’s got that wonderful, “I’m proud of myself” look, much deserved too!
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March 21, 2011 at 6:47 am
Ellsworth is waiting for you to ride him very soon…Can hardly wait to see you riding him….
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March 21, 2011 at 7:08 am
Oh my goodness, he really does look proud in the next to last photo!!
I can’t believe he did so well away from his herd. Shows what a level head he has.
❤
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March 21, 2011 at 9:04 am
I’d just been wondering how long before E gets to go to 7, so you and he can ride with C & L.
🙂
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March 21, 2011 at 9:19 am
Wow!! This was another perfect day from start to finish, wasn’t it? Perfect trailering, perfect behavior, perfect lesson…I want to give Ellsworth a great big hug!
Justina, was all the background work taught to Ellsworth by you and Don or did Ellsworth actually come with some of this knowledge? It’s hard for me to imagine he received any sort of training or work from his earlier home.
Looking at these pictures, it’s clear it won’t be long now before you’re riding around your corral with Ellsworth’s head held high and a big grin on your face! 🙂
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March 21, 2011 at 9:02 pm
Danni,
As far as we know, Ellsworth didn’t receive any training or work from his earlier home.
I don’t know that Don or I have taught him a lot either though… what I’d like to think is that Ellsworth is at a place now where he feels comfortable and trusts his surroundings enough to let his natural talents emerge. 😀
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March 21, 2011 at 9:23 am
Ellesworth is such a fine boy! I’m sure he will make a great riding donkey, and he and Lucy will soon be packing their grinning riders over many trails! And how wonderful it is for you that you will have someone else who rides a donkey to share the trails with.
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March 21, 2011 at 11:30 am
I love the expressions on his face and the alert ears. What a good boy.
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March 21, 2011 at 2:21 pm
Ellsworth is amazing! You will be heading down the trail on your big boy before you know it! How wonderful! 🙂
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March 21, 2011 at 4:22 pm
Incredible and so exciting. Looks like he is looking forward to his next adventure!
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March 21, 2011 at 4:42 pm
That is so exciting. Sibling rivalry being what it is, you may have more star pupils before you know it.
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March 21, 2011 at 4:57 pm
I think his attitude speaks volumes about the care you have been giving him. He is trusting because of you guys. How wonderful!
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March 21, 2011 at 4:59 pm
Oh man… what a story! “when i grow up…i wanna be just like the big dogs…” How can anyone NOT love Ellseworth? that donkey just screams to be loved…
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March 21, 2011 at 6:00 pm
What a great day for all of you!
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March 21, 2011 at 6:52 pm
What a great resource R is! And what a student he has in Ellsworth! Are you sure Big Red has never done this before?
Looking forward to the Big Ride at MSN!
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March 21, 2011 at 9:05 pm
Diane,
Agreed! We aren’t aware of any previous training for Ellsworth… we think he’s a natural! 🙂
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March 22, 2011 at 8:43 am
What a good boy!
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March 22, 2011 at 12:02 pm
I should know by now that there’s a good chance I’m going to cry when I read your blog. Happy tears, mostly, but tears nonetheless.
(sniff)YOU GO BIG RED!
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March 28, 2011 at 1:22 pm
Way to go, Ellsworth!! I can tell that you are interested in participating because of your ears and the jaunty way you pick up your feet.
Nice to get off the farm once in a while, eh?
You will be appearing in a parade before you know it.
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June 2, 2011 at 6:49 am
That is so great! Ellsworth is a star!
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January 2, 2012 at 11:00 am
Aren’t you supposed to saddle the donkey before you ride him?
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January 2, 2012 at 11:22 am
qs1998,
Typically, yes. You’re right… it’s actually not good for a donkey’s back to be ridden bareback. This was just a one-time test run to see how responsive Ellsworth would be to Ryan’s training.
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