So, yesterday I pulled him out of his paddock and tied him to the trailer. He was quiet and stood tied perfectly. He didn't dance around or pull back. Very nice manners.
After brushing him down, I saddled him up, using an old saddle pad that I don't use. It's so hard working with a QT'd horse! LOL I am not sure now if I should spray off the girth and breast collar of my saddle before using it on another horse, or if it will matter. In any case, Buddy was fine to be saddled as well.
We headed out to the round pen where I lunged him for a bit. I don't want to stress him out due to his potential contagious situation. At the same time, I wanted to know if he'd buck under saddle. He gave no signs of being uncomfortable. I only had him move out for 5 minutes.
Then, I worked on adjusting the saddle. He's still a bit skinny, and my girth was too big for him. Each time I tightened the girth, he'd turn his head around to touch me, with his blind side closes to me, I suppose for reassurance. He is really a very sweet horse!
Since the saddle wasn't quite as tight as I would have liked, and I was using the treeless, I had Jessica hold the other stirrup for me. I stepped into the stirrup, but before I could swing my leg over, I felt him tense up. So, I paused, laying over his back, giving him lots of reassurances.
When I felt him relax, I finally swung my leg over and sat down. Again, he was nervous, but not dangerously so. I am under the impression that his last time under saddle was very likely very traumatic. So, I wanted to give him an extreme amount of confidence.
Once he had again relaxed, I asked him to move out. He was quiet and solid. I was very proud of him! He is very light and sensitive, though not too much so. He is reasonable and sensible! He is affected by his blind side and 'shied away' when going in that direction, but I believe he will get over that very quickly.
We only walked around for about 15 minutes, but I felt that was good enough to get an assessment on if he'd at least be safe under saddle. Once he is done with his eye surgery, I will further the assessment, perhaps putting Cassidy on him to see how he behaves with kids.
I am very happy that Buddy was as well behaved as he was - this will make it easier to find a forever home for him!
*Special Thanks to Jessica and her hubby for taking pictures and being there to help!*
