2018 – Present
Nox came to me as a freshly gelded 4-year-old right out of quarantine. His owner was new to horse ownership and just learned she was pregnant with twins!
He was essentially green-broke, out of shape, and a little lazy. His owner needed a safe and well-broken horse and had an interest in dressage and trail riding. I spent the next nine months helping him develop suppleness and skills on the trail. I took him out twice a week to a local trail system with another well-schooled trail horse. I ponied him initially – allowing him to develop confidence without a rider. After some time we switched positions, Nox the ridden horse and his friend the pony horse. His initial reactions to dogs, deer, and turkeys we encountered were fearful and alarmed, but with steadiness and consistency, he became brave and proud of his job.
On his non-trail days, Nox and I schooled circles and leg yields and helped him become quicker off the leg and honest in the bridle. The first time I sat on Nox his owner had to help me get him to canter by chasing him with a lunge whip and I thought for sure she would be looking for another trainer by the end of the day. Fortunately, she had faith in me, and within a few weeks, he was prompt off the leg and happily cantering around with minimal effort.
Time and consistency are key in these scenarios. He is strong and large (17.2 hh) so needed me to be firm, but not unkind.
