I got some great news from Dave about Ace the other day …

Dave said that, other than feeding and cleaning his stall, he hadn’t handled Ace much in a long time. The other day he went to halter him and take him out of his turnout, and Ace was obviously wary of him. He gave him a funny look like, “You’re not my mom. She’s the one who usually does this.” And he moved away. Dave stepped back and gave Ace a chance to check him out, and then he was fine. I was glad Ace got over his wariness quickly. But I was equally glad to know that it was obvious that Ace realized Dave wasn’t me.

I’ve made an impression!

I claimed Ace as my horse; no other holds my heart quite like he does. Last time I saw Penny, I loved her just as much as ever, but I could tell that something inside me had changed. I didn’t connect with her as “my” horse now that I really officially have one who really is “my” own. It was a weird feeling.

We’ve had some good sessions in the last week – a few rides (he’s getting much lighter to my leg aids), some free-lunging (he’d been cooped up in a stall with the bad weather) and some groundwork (we finally got some good sideways). I’ve been riding him in his rope halter just to start and until I could get a new bit big enough for his mouth. I got a new 5.5″ french link eggbutt snaffle I’m excited to try tonight and see how he likes it. He’s done well in the halter, but he’s definitely to the point where we need the greater refinement of a bit.