Ellsworth had his first official saddle training lesson on Tuesday afternoon, and let me tell you, he was a star pupil.
We’re very excited that after taking Ellsworth down to their farm, Ryan has agreed to work with and saddle train Ellsworth at Morning Bray Farm this summer.
As was the case the last time Ryan worked with Ellsworth, Ryan was confident, assertive, calm and quiet with him. It was a beautiful thing watching such a talented young man work with Big Red.
Ryan’s methods revolve around building Ellsworth’s confidence rather than instructing by force. I’m seeing Ellsworth react so positively to Ryan’s tact, and I couldn’t be more proud of them both.
Ryan has agreed to let me take notes and pictures so that you can follow along. Both Ryan and Big Red are going to do great things this summer!
Lessons for Big Red – Week Two
Morning Bray Farm 
June 2, 2011 at 4:23 am
I see some rides with Carson & Lucy in your future…
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June 2, 2011 at 4:53 am
How exciting! I see some wonderful trail rides in your future with Linda and Miss Lucy!
Go Big Red!
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June 2, 2011 at 5:27 am
Looking good Big Red. 🙂
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June 2, 2011 at 5:36 am
This is so freakin’ exciting. Lucy and I are counting the days to our first trail ride together with you and Big Red!
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June 2, 2011 at 6:55 am
See, I knew that y’all would have a double date trail ride! How exciting!
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June 2, 2011 at 6:56 am
Congratulations to the whole herd! I always knew Ellsworth was a leader. 🙂
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June 2, 2011 at 6:57 am
SO HAPPY for Big Red!!!!! He definitely looks like he is having a great time. Like everyone else, I can’t wait until you hit the trails with Carson & Lucy 🙂 🙂 🙂
PS: When that day arrives, there better be tons of photos (even VIDEO) of the event. Just sayin’ – lol
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June 2, 2011 at 7:00 am
Yay! Think he’ll be lording it over the other Boyz, now that he has a Job? 😀
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June 2, 2011 at 7:53 am
Flartus,
I think Ellsworth’s too nice a boy to be flaunting his stuff like that. 😉 Bernard might not be too far behind either… R has offered to help train Bernard to ground drive with Bernard’s driving harness. 😀
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June 2, 2011 at 7:10 am
Congratulations! Going to love to see Ellsworth training. So happy for all.
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June 2, 2011 at 7:31 am
He looks so handsome, all tacked up.
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June 2, 2011 at 7:46 am
Yay, Ellsworth!!! You are in really (really) good hands with R. You are a good boy! Ear scritches all around, and Paco treats!
P.S. I saw the twitter feed. I sure hope that there are photos coming of the Watermellon incident…
Love you guys!
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June 2, 2011 at 7:51 am
Cathy,
Yes, we’ll work on getting photos of Patrick (and Bernard) eating watermelon. It’ll be well worth it… it’s hilarious watching them eating the juicy fabulous fruit. 😀
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June 2, 2011 at 8:05 am
R’s methods revolve around building Ellsworth’s confidence rather than instructing by force….. this is my favorite part. So happy Big Red has this type of trainer…
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June 2, 2011 at 8:07 am
Nancy,
We wouldn’t have it any other way. 😀
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June 2, 2011 at 8:08 am
You are going to have a fabulous summer, and it’s going to be fun watching Ellesworth become your trail partner.Sounds like your trainer is a sensible young man.
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June 2, 2011 at 8:12 am
That ‘Worth is such a good boy. 🙂
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June 2, 2011 at 8:24 am
Hooray for Ellsworth! So will you and Don be taking turns riding Ellsworth…or will you keep him all to yourself? 🙂
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June 2, 2011 at 1:58 pm
Rosanne,
While Ellsworth is definitely Don’s buddy, Ellsworth will be my trusty steed. 🙂
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June 2, 2011 at 8:36 am
Looks like fun in the future!
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June 2, 2011 at 8:40 am
I would have expected nothing less of my handsome fella. He’s looking very fetching in his saddle. The young man doing the training sounds very capable and kind. A winning combination.
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June 2, 2011 at 12:40 pm
Boy he sure looks good in that saddle – is that a mule saddle like Lucy’s? Does it have Bling? What’s the schedule? Will he just ride in a halter all summer? Does he even need a bit? He looks so calm!
INFORMATION. Seriously, I’ve never heard of how they train mules for riding. Is it largely the same??
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June 2, 2011 at 2:03 pm
winter,
Yes, it is a mule/donkey saddle like Lucy’s. It’s a bit different (lighter), but cut the same to fit Ellsworth like a glove. And yes, it has Bling. 😀 We got the saddle at the same riding clinic that Carson blogged about.
He’ll graduate to a bit, but we’re leaving when up to R.
Ellsworth is very calm. He’s being really good about this.
Fortunately for Ellsworth and for us, R is keenly aware of the differences between training donkeys and horses. I’ll work on explaining it as we go along. 🙂
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June 2, 2011 at 3:17 pm
YaYYYYYYYY! R and Ellsworth!!! That is EXCITING stuff, future rides with Lucy and Linda!!
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