Julia came up to visit Sister, and met Star for the first time and said, "Oh what a beautiful horse! I'd love to ride him..." so the story goes. No problem, right? Quick cell phone call and Kelsey's parents say...sure...he could use the exercise. Turns out that Star had decided that he wasn't going to cooperate. Julia and I have a couple of theories. Julia's is that she let him have a little too much freedom and then Star decided he was going to challenge her once she got a bit too relaxed on him (he didn't want to ride out to the West pasture and then was thinking about rearing...) I agree with that but have a theory that he let me ride him on the trail last week with no problems because everything was so new to him that he was more obediant (not comfortable enough to misbehave). Lisa's theory that he bonded with the mare Nikki and was reluctant to be without her "all the way" over in the other pasture. He wasn't the worst horse but he didn't want to go where he was told to. So Julia lunged him and then lunged him with me in the saddle. All ended well with Star riding very well in the round pen. Kelsey has since rode Star in the round pen without any problems. The question becomes, "How will Star do out on the trail again?" We'll probably figure out this question by riding him out on the trail with his favorite mare, Nikki.  

OK...lunge line removed and getting centered on the saddle. Is this the same horse I rode last week? 

Star doesn't want me telling him where to go outside of the round pen either. Inside the pen...no problem. 

OK...let's try that again. 

Julia and Star get it right in the round pen. The session ends on a positive note. 

Kelsey Hobson of Ware MA and Star! Stall #5. 

Star moves out at Kelsey's command. The deluge tested the Domnarski Farm drainage and I think we got an A+. No large puddles, just soft ground.  

Kelsey Hobson with Star in the round pen. 

Ben and Henry help out the Austin family during the Belchertown Fair. 

Our boarder...Bonnie Kokosa and her son Colby is famous!!!! 

Kelsey Hobson asked me if I could take Star for a trail ride while he's still adjusting to his new home. Star hasn't been out of the ring in awhile. I'm giving him a nice pat for being a great horse that didn't try to hurt me! 

Star did very well. One big test for a new horse is to see if it can go out for a ride without other horses. Star got an A+. I wouldn't say Star was bomb proof but she had no problems on the trail and was good crossing water and other challenges. 

Star's first ride at the Domnarski Farm. All tacked up and mounted in the center aisle before all the rain was supposed to begin Friday. Glad I took a few hours off from work early to give him a spin because it rained all weekend and the forecast is showers all week. 

Julia took Sister for a 40 minute ride with Cocoa and I to see how her back has been healing. Sister did great. She doesn't like puddles though! 

Chance still wants to know everthying Star is doing but all is well. 

Chance can't get enough. Robb is the boss and gives Star his approval. 

Hopper, Chance and Star get to know each other. 

Kelsey's Dad, John Hobson shows that he still knows how to lead a horse (...I'm out of the way! Ted watches and Puppy sniffs!) 

Danni and Ted were nice enough to transport Star in their trailer from Backstretch Hunter/Jumpers....