19/07/2026
Tako
July 2026
A 5hr ride to a lake for a splash and dip can be so developmental. We learned to hold space for our riding companions and enjoy different speed regulations. Standing tied among the trees for a riders' lunchbreak is also valuable time well spent, and does offer an opportunity to do some branch pruning. Often one to wait for another's lead and instead simply ham about, Tako is learning to work through new situations on his own and take a moment to think about the task at hand, such as admiring an old dock in the lake in between pawing up water and blowing bubbles!
So loved by his family, Tako had a lot of the basics in his toolbox before coming here. He just wasn't overly motivated to pay attention or engage actively in any requests or cues. Chewing on the lead rope and fighting the tie-time at the hitching rail were fun pastimes. Getting a good rub or scratching of his face or his neck, chest, withers, and beside his tail dock were priorities for him. His first rides were very underwhelming, with any form of enthusiasm and persuasion resulting in some pouty crow hops and disinterest in moving forward. The first trail ride was achieved initially at a snail's pace without an abundance of nagging, but seemed to finally ignite an interest within him for saddle work and adventure.
After almost a year of down time for Tako to heal up and prove himself capable of becoming a riding horse after his major health scare just before I had my accident back in 2025, he wasn't sure if the working life suited his more mature 4 year old desires of pasture life and being loved on. Such a playful and mischief-making guy, it quickly became apparent to lock up everything away from his grasp. Halters, brushes, tack, ropes, manure forks, and rest in pieces, dear wheelbarrow handle whilst we were busy picking his pen and not being attentive enough to his antics.
