they grow up so fast

Hampton, the big gangly 2-year-old I got in July is about ready to be sat on. He has come a long way from an insecure fellow who could barely lead (mostly like a drunk sailor at that) to a quiet and sensible young horse. He lunges walk and trot with good brakes, long-lines in just a halter, wears a saddle with the girth "riding tight", picks up his feet, stands for grooming and fly spray, ties to the wall, stands quietly while I slap the stirrups around and jump all around him - even with a mounting block. He also is quiet when I lay over his back and will walk around with me there, too. Today, he learned how to pony off another horse (frankly, the old mare I was riding was more nervous than Hampton was) ... so seeing a human above him is no problem. All the foundation blocks are there. He just needs to wear a bridle. Which really should wait until he gets his teeth done. The most I will do this year is merely sit on him - MAYBE do small walking sessions. And that's it. Next year, he will begin lunging in side reins and than additional riding work. If everything goes as plan, I want to aim for the USEF 4-year-old young horse classes with him. But we'll see.

Today I also found an orange flag, a hula hoop and a foam "noodle" that I waved all around. He never blinked an eye.

(This photo is from about a month ago when he was wearing a saddle for the first time)