You know what’s cuter than watching my two boys interact? Nothing. Literally nothing.

On Saturday I was in a hurry trying to beat the rain, so both boys just got worked separately and briefly. But Sunday was an absolutely beautiful day, so Henry did a conditioning ride first, then we went back up to the barn and grabbed Presto.

I wanted to revisit the ponying lesson that we had started the weekend before. I didn’t have time to work on it at all during the week, and it’s not something I want to feel like I have to rush, so I wanted to wait until we had plenty of time. I wasn’t sure if either of them would retain the lessons from the first session, or if it would be like starting over again. I didn’t have anyone around to hold Presto for me while I got on Henry, so challenge #1 was mounting one horse while holding the other (and not getting tangled or have either of them head in separate directions). Challenge #2 was getting them both through the gate, into the arena, and closing the arena gate behind us. Or at least I thought it would be a challenge. They both complied with no issue, like they’d actually been trained or something. How bout that.
I made a few laps of the arena, stopping and starting and turning, walking over the poles and between some narrowly placed barrels. It was all super easy. Both boys started out even better than we had ended the weekend before. So I figured hey, let’s just leave the arena and make a couple laps around the barn and see what happens. Answer: nothing. I opened the gate from Henry’s back, we walked out, and marched around the barn. Easy peasy. At that point I just kinda shrugged to myself, thought “well, why not”, and headed out to the field. I wasn’t planning on going out there until we had another ponying session or two under our belts, but they were both being great… may as well.

Presto LOVED it. He was looking around at everything, but in an interested “WOW THIS IS AMAZING” kind of way, not in a spooky way. In fact, he never spooked at anything. Not the rustling field of corn that we had to pass on the way, not the trees and bushes blowing in the wind, not the birds that always fly up out of the tall grass. He just calmly took it all in and stayed very well behaved. For a yearling I continue to be really impressed with his brain.

I have to give Henry a ton of credit, he is a great horse to pony off of. If Presto starts pushing into him or getting too far ahead of his shoulder, he pins his ears at him and puts him back in his place. A couple of times we halted and Presto didn’t notice for a few steps, which earned him a “PAY ATTENTION” nip from Henry as a correction. He’s the one teaching the kid to pony, I’m pretty much just holding the lead rope. Henry acts super grumpy about it all, but I think he actually really likes it. Being bossy is his favorite thing in the world.
We made a lap of the jump field, then walked around the edge of the pond through some scrub before heading back. I could have stayed out there forever, but I figured it would be wise to keep the first field adventure to a 20 minute max. On the last stretch before the barn, all the mares in the mare pasture decided to gallop up to the fence to see us as we passed, which was exciting for about 2 seconds before Henry and his grumpy ears put the kibosh on that nonsense from both sides. God I love him. If we hadn’t had Presto with us he would have been prancing and acting like a total idiot, but he absolutely knows the difference in those situations.

I tied Presto in Henry’s stall while I untacked Henry in the aisle, letting him supervise the “stand tied” lesson. If Presto moved, Henry pinned his ears at him. I stood there in the aisle giggling for a lot longer than I really should have. Man its a lot easier to outsource all this baby training.
Since Henry seems to be such a good influence on Presto, I took them both out to the washrack together. I hosed Henry off while Presto watched, and then hosed Presto. He wasn’t thrilled, but he didn’t protest.

They both seemed happy and chill, so I let them stand there and graze for a bit. Once they were outside of what I assume Henry deems “working conditions”, Henry was less grumpy towards Presto. I swear I think he knows that this is his little bro and it’s his responsibility to make sure Presto doesn’t end up a heathen. Probably because he doesn’t trust me to accomplish that on my own.


Everything went a lot better than I expected. Presto is proving that he’s got a good brain, and Henry is proving (once again) that he’s worth his weight in gold. That horse, he is one of kind.
A friend is going to let me borrow her Western saddle for a while, which should help make our ponying a little bit easier. Juggling that lead rope in an English saddle is certainly doable, but it would be really nice to have a saddle horn just in case. Plus I can’t wait to throw that thing up on Henry and take a bunch of pictures of him REALLY looking like a quarter horse.
Once we get some more ponying experience I’d like to haul them off property and do some trail riding, especially during the summer when it’s too miserably hot to do much else. These two are so much fun.
Best way to start a Monday seeing your boys together- and a front row seat watching Presto grow up. I can’t wait to see what’s next🐎
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It’s really fun to have them both together!
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Ah, that is so great! Henry the teacher reminds me SO much of my Jaguar. Just when you think you can’t love them any more, they do something even more awesome. Way to be a great prof, Henry!
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He really is the best. Definitely earning all his cookies these days.
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I love the twin sets of ears photos! They’re both such good boys. How lucky are you!
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Not gonna lie, it was pretty fun to be looking out over the wildflowers through BOTH of my favorite sets of ears.
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Aaaw, they are so cute!! Love grumpy big bro/teacher Henny. And Presto continues to impress!
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YAS I can’t wait to see Henry looking full on QH, this is going to make my dreams come true.
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I’m betting it’ll be really hilarious. His butt is so big, I bet a western saddle looks right at home.
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❤ yay!!! love these boys!
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love this. So glad it is working ponying them together. AND did they both shy at the hay bale or just Henry? Inquiring minds wanna know 🙂
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henry didn’t spook at it when Presto was with us! Maybe it’s because Presto was between it and him, so he figured it would eat Presto first.
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Just what Henry always wanted, someone he can boss around. 🙂
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It really does seem like a dream come true for him. Someone to boss around and he won’t get in trouble for it.
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D’awwwww 😍
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Your boys are adorable, and your narration of your adventures is so fun!
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Thanks!
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I love reading about Presto’s adventures. He and Henny are going to be best bros. Can’t believe how quickly Henry picked up on his roll of big brother. So adorable!
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It’s really cute. He’s mastered the art of being a total jerk and yet totally reassuring and helpful at the same time.
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Presto is seriously so stinking cute!!!!! Love the double ear photo 🙂
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I love this!! What a good big bro Henry is! I love how he pins his ears when Presto steps out of line.
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I couldn’t stop laughing at that. He was like “look you little shit, we’re in this together so straighten up!”.
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So much cuteness ❤
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Love this!
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Ahh I love the happiness that comes across from this! Both of them are impressive, hilarious and adorable. Can’t wait for my adventures pictures and videos!
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A good brain is worth so much! I love how Henry is being the teacher here. I firmly believe that all herd/pack based animals learn really really well from their elders. I think it’s a great idea to have someone to teach them manners. I’m living kinda vicariously through you with your baby raising. It’s something I’d love to do someday so I’m learning what I can now. 😉
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Totally agree, young horses can learn so much from older/wiser been there done that types! Having a steady “role model” for him to look to for guidance has been so great.
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