From now on he shall be known as Ben

Meet Ben. Benjamin Franklin. When I told Merrill she asked if it was cause Benjamin Franklin had a big nose. I asked 'Did he have a big nose?'

But no. I just liked the name and of all the names that Wayne and I both liked, thats the one I settled on. Its a nice name and I like names I can play with:

Benjamin Franklin when being stern. Ben for short. Benny when wheedling. Benji when being cute. Big Ben when admiring. Benny Hill when he's being a clown.

I'm in love with my horse.

He's coming along well. When we got him he wouldn't let us near him while he was eating. I could catch him easily with a halter, but bring out food and he'd become a slippery eel. Now Wally has drawn the line and is refusing him access to his food bucket, Ben has been forced to accept my presence near his food bin.

First I'd just stand there and wait for him to approach. If he wanted the food he had to come get it. But he's a clever cookie. First few times he grabbed the bin with his teeth and pulled it to him. Wayne fixed that by lying on the ground near the bin and pulling it back every time Ben pulled it away, till in the end Ben was eating out of the bin with Wayne's arm in it.

This morning I took his rug off while he ate without him twitching or even lifting his head!

If I could find a way to put him in my lap and squeeze him I would!


We've been working him slowly. He doesn't know how to lunge and without a round yard its harder to teach him. We are building one. And by 'we' I mean Wayne. He's already marked out an area in the top paddock where it will go.

We've been saddling Ben every day. He's now taking the bridle easily and letting us mess about with the saddle, straps and stirrups. We're putting weight on the stirrups now, on both sides, and he's accepting that. I have my own saddle now - Wayne got his old stock saddle sent over from South Australia and that will be the one I use.

I'm pleased to say I can actually lift this on up onto the horse! No need for bench pressing saddles!

I look forward to being able to get on him, but that will be a while still. He's gaining weight. He hasn't lifted his head since he moved here so he better bloody well be!

So a bit more time on the ground. A bit more settling him. And then Wayne will get on him. :)

I'll let him get the bugs out before I hop on. But surprisingly I'm not scared to get on him. My confidence is coming back.

z