Consort Bound

When Grant called and said he'd be home today, I dropped my plans and went to Consort.  This time of the year Grant is usually busy out riding for other people so he can be challenging to get a hold of.  I needed to go see Buddy.  Talking on the phone with Grant he told me the horse had changed.  He felt I'd like him and if I didn't he wanted him.

So this morning I hit the road.  Once at Grant's with Buddy saddled up I watched as Grant put him through his paces.  Now remember Buddy is just a baby - technically he's not even three yet - and he can consistently on a loose rein walk, trot, and lope (on the correct lead) in a circle.  He'll back up, turn on the haunches in both directions and stop with no bit contact.  All in all pretty good for a baby.  Is he perfect?  No, he's a baby!

A little apprehensive I climbed on.  Remember I haven't been on a horse in something like a year (with Whiskey out of commission) and physically I shouldn't even be riding. But it felt so nice.  Buddy has a smooth gait and is fairly naturally balanced.  While I wonder if he'll morph back into the obnoxious horse of the past, Grant seems to think its just maturity that we're seeing.  

Needless to say I've decided to give Buddy a chance.  I'm giving him a month to see if we will click as a horse rider team.  And if we don't click, he'll go back to Grant and we'll work a trade with something that will be a better fit for me.  So right now Buddy is in the isolation pen here at home.  

A visit to Grant's is not complete without a good visit.  It was during this time he told me about a dog someone had given him.  He was calling the dog Bullet because it was going to get one.  Curious I asked why.  It was then I discovered it took him a week to catch it, and once he caught it he couldn't get it to look at stock.   Going and looking at the dog where it was tied up I found a dog that cowers when you approach it.  I began to wonder if someone had been to harsh with the dog and spoiled it, turning it off stock.  So of course I offered to take it home and see if I could get it to work sheep.  I know if I can get it working on sheep I can get it working on cattle.  

One of the guys at the barn said the previous owners called it Tex - but he doesn't seem to recognize the name.  He understands lie down and kinda gets that'll do (all I tried tonight) but didn't even look when I called his name.  He wants to be friendly but is just scared.  I am now on a good Collie name hunt.  Suggestions?

When I walked him out into the field he started to look at the sheep and he definitely watched the cat - all good signs.  One thing I noticed is he's not as jumpy with me as he is with my dad.  The other thing I noticed is he's missing a chunk of ear, and has a broken canine tooth.

It's hard to say what his story is but he seems eager and socialized with other dogs.  Cute little fellow if in a bit rough shape.  (He's skinny, matted and needs some TLC.)