KASHAL’S APRIL LESSON

Kashal, the young Arab, will be three in July and is still a baby in Arab terms. He cannot be ridden because his bones are still soft and developing. He has successfully learned to load and travel in his trailer and his latest lesson was to learn to be led from another horse. This is a useful skill to have as it means two horses can be exercised together or moved together. For example, if a rider is injured their horse can be led home by another rider.

It helps if the horses know each other so we had a good start as Kirstie’s mare Bella shares the field with Kash. Our first attempt was very brief. Kirstie mounted Bella and Kash was led over to her. They did a very brief circuit with a surprised Kash and an agreeable schoolmistress Bella. His only problem was when they turned downhill he found it hard to control his long, gangly, baby legs and started speeding up.

By the next lesson we were delighted that he understood completely and was able to change the rein and do circuits going in either direction. Horses do not forget so that is one more useful life lesson for Kashal.

AH