It's been awhile since I posted pics of the Booger, so I thought I would. As well as an update! And of course, pardon the fact that the pics are huge - links posted below.

A few pictures from last month - Nova and Skye in the arena.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j21/FallingForNova/Nova/IMG_7727a.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j21/FallingForNova/Nova/IMG_7728.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j21/FallingForNova/Nova/IMG_7756.jpg

These are from my birthday at the end of March - I decided to live on the edge and 'go for a pony ride' on Nova. We went down the driveway and around the dead end (Matthew leading me), and Nova did very well. He could have cared less that I was up there.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j21/FallingForNova/Nova/IMG_7771.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j21/FallingForNova/Nova/IMG_7786.jpg

Then at the beginning of this month we did some ground driving with Nova. He did quite well (I do apologize that the bridle is a bit loose, I should have raised it a couple holes), considering it was the first time he's ever been asked to steer.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j21/FallingForNova/Nova/IMG_7820.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j21/FallingForNova/Nova/IMG_7827.jpg

Then a couple days ago we were just playing around in the pasture with the horses.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j21/FallingForNova/Nova/IMG_7851.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j21/FallingForNova/Nova/IMG_7856.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j21/FallingForNova/Nova/IMG_7861.jpg

Then yesterday, in the incredible heat (+20!!!! In comparison, it's +8 today...) I decided to get some pictures of Nova in his new bit and bridle! (There's an update on the bridling in the English section.) He did really well, and by the third time he was taking it a lot better than before, so with a bit more work/a few more times we'll have this worked through. It was hard to get a good picture of him though, as all he was doing was chewing and chewing and chewing. I also really love his bridle, I think it's a gorgeous colour for him! (Darker than my other english one [seen in the ground driving pics], so I think it matches better.)

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j21/FallingForNova/Nova/IMG_7899.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j21/FallingForNova/Nova/IMG_7904.jpg

Thanks for looking! Sorry again about the large pics.

Gee, I dunno Christine, I think that boy is a little too wild for you   It looks like he's coming along great, which I am very envious of to say the least.  I've not got much done with Sunny because of the ground being too muddy.  It's finally starting to dry out a little, so hopefully I can get caught up a tad with you and Nova before I move at the end of May.  (Moving to northwest Virginia just south of the West Virginia border, and yes, will be taking along the ponies.)

~Allison

Lol, Allison! He sure is a wild one, my boy. I've been so happy with how well he's done with all the stuff I've thrown at him lately. I understand your frustration with the weather, we've had nice weather, to snow, to nice, to cold and ugly, to hot, to normal... It's so frustrating! The arena is FINALLY dry enough to work in... But I've been waiting for him to have his feet trimmed before I do a lot of work with him... They were due about mid/late March, and the farrier is coming this Thursday (he was out of town). So I've been holding back a bit, and keeping a close eye on his feet to make sure they don't fall apart on me.

Hey, no worries! I bet you and Sunny-buns will pass Nova and I in no time! You're working with a girl, and I get stuck with a dumb boy! ;)

Do you have a job waiting for you after the move? But so glad to hear you can take your girls with you!!!

Those are great photos of you and your handsome boy! You're right, he looks GREAT in your new bridle :) You're sure doing really well with him!

Jessi

Thanks Jessi! I made a promise to myself when I first got him that I was going to take tons of pictures of him to mark our progress (and his development) so I could look back on all that. Glad I'm not the only one who thinks he looks fab in his new bridle! I think the colour is perfect for him. And the bridle only cost $60!

I'm happy that so far I haven't really screwed him up - so if it continues this way I'll catch up to you and Cali in no time! ;) Well, maybe not... But at least we're making progress.

LOL Oh you're prob about there :)  Ok, since you take lots of photos, I require that you SHARE them often, ok? :)

Jessi

FallingForNova:

Hey, no worries! I bet you and Sunny-buns will pass Nova and I in no time! You're working with a girl, and I get stuck with a dumb boy! ;)

Do you have a job waiting for you after the move? But so glad to hear you can take your girls with you!!!

Hahahahaha! Well, Sunny is actually pretty smart.  Maybe too smart.... she remembers far more than I expect her too, lol.

Nope, no job lined up unfortunately.  And the move is far enough in the future that it's sort of difficult to apply for any.  But I will start looking now, I think - who knows, maybe I'll get lucky and find a place that's willing to wait a little over a month for me to get my tail down there

Jessi - No worries about the pictures!! I'm going to be getting a new camera in the next month or so (a Nikon D40x or Canon Rebel XTi type camera - big, fancy, and expensive!). You know what that means? Waaaaaaaay too many pictures of Nova!!

Allison - Oh yes, I know of 'too smart' horses, and I'm so glad Nova isn't one of those! I don't like horses that are smarter than I am! ;) And I'll have my fingers crossed for you!

Nova is such a cutey. I'm glad he's coming along nicely. Oh and by the way I love his halter and lead rope.

Thanks MP! I'm also so glad he's been so good about everything. I'm hoping that after the farrier (FINALLY) comes tomorrow I can start to do some more serious work without worrying about his feet falling apart. Hey, thanks! I loooove his halter and leadrope too! I think he looks pretty dashing with it on.

OOOH I sooooo want a Digital Rebel XTi!!!!! But I also LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE my Canon s5 :) good, glad we can look forward to great photos ;)

jessi

I'm so excited about getting my new camera! I've been waiting for like a year for it - and finally convinced my parents to go halves on it with me. Now I just hve to pick which one I want for sure. Be prepared to be bombarded with new pics!

Awww, he looks like he's doing so great, congrats!!!  Ok, I have to say it, where's your helmet, you naughty girl!!!!!!    Guess I'm going to have to drive to your house and write you a ticket.....and maybe I'll come home with a cute lil' bay colt in my truck....

 You'll love that camera -- I have the Rebel XT as I liked it's features a little better, and it's great.  Don't get the kit lenses they give you though, get an upgrade and get some of the nice Canon IS lenses, they are worth it!!!

Sorry!  I will have my helmet on when I ride him, I promise! I was already on before I remembered it (it was sort of a spur of the moment 'ride').

Thanks for the info on the lenses! I'll keep that in mind! Definitely want to get the good quality stuff!

Hey all,

I wanted to put an update about Nova, but didn't feel the need to make a whole new post!

On Sunday we decided to work with Nova again. I borrowed my trainer's side-pull to use on him (since he's still so chewy on the bit). First I had Mom ground drive him again, and after a couple minutes of part 'I don't know what you want me to do' and 'I'd rather not do that' he was going around like a pro. Mom was very impressed with how well he went around - apparently he was better than she thought he would be. It didn't surprise me as he's really quite smart and picks things up really well.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j21/FallingForNova/Nova/IMG_7990.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j21/FallingForNova/Nova/IMG_7999.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j21/FallingForNova/Nova/IMG_7991.jpg

After that successful bit, I decided to hop on him myself and actually try 'riding' him - vs. the ponying that has happened before. He did very well! I had him walking and turning what were supposed to be circles (I wouldn't say they were round, but we did go around), stopping and backing up. He did get sticky about walking forward at the end, as he was very comfortable just hanging out. But with a little encouragement from behind I had him walking forward again and turning another circle, then walking over to the tack room to finish it off. I was very proud! We stuck to the yard for this time as the dead end was full of cars, and the arena was probably a bit wet still.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j21/FallingForNova/Nova/IMG_8028.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j21/FallingForNova/Nova/IMG_8029.jpg

This is what he thinks of this 'riding' thing!

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j21/FallingForNova/Nova/IMG_8030.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j21/FallingForNova/Nova/IMG_8060.jpg

Oh, and if you notice, he has on a brand spanky new double elastic anatomical girth that I purchased for him this weekend! Oooh, he's hot stuff!