Boxing clever and other amazingness

What a marvelous day!!

Started off by doing a box training session with the boys. RD is a consummate professional when it comes to loading and travelling, he'll virtually load himself onto anything now....so with Ziggy watching I popped him on the box

Up he tootled and back off again, clever good boy!

Ziggy was a bit looky but came to me to have his halter on and led calmly into the pen the box was in. I let him have a sniff at the ramp, asked him to take a step and blow me down he just walked up the ramp like he'd done it every day of his life. The trust that boy gives me is incredibly humbling.

He was a bit nervy as we moved around on the box as it does wobble a bit, but looked to me for assurance and turned around without panicking. Little halt at the top of the ramp and very slowly down again step by step, each one controlled and calm.
He was so good I turned him around and we went up the ramp again - Ziggy followed me happily and calmly yet again! We stood on the box for a couple of minutes this time, then again I asked him to gently and slowly step down the ramp...he was amazing!

Had to finish off with a little bow as he was so clever!

Photo's are on FB - http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150270472588542.342509.676733541&l=4e6a6a920e&type=1

As if that wasn't enough, Superhubby and I walked the boys over to the yard this afternoon, we negotiated the lane (Ziggy needs a lot of desensitising on the road, he was quite jumpy when any vehicles (all of one van and one car) went past, but he stays with you even when he's scared which is briliant. He bravely negotiated the wooden bridge and then we all had a lovely walk out across the fields and bridleways to the yard in the glorious sunshine

Got the yard, walked by the scary stack of flappy plastic haylage bales, Ziggy looking but staying with me, put up with the boys in the field by the walkway charging and galloping about and then we were at the field that'll be the boy's home for the next couple of weeks.
The rest of the herd are in the field next door separated by a large copse, so once the boys were safely in I got Billy out and brought him over...all 17hh of him. Billy is a sweet 3 yr old and veery easy going so the natural choice for first one in (I'm introducing one per day into the field to minimise ructions!)
Billy, Ziggy and RD got on superbly!!

So later this afternoon came the first big test, a field full of grass and a happy gang of boys....would Ziggy let me catch him???

Of course he would!! Halter straight on, then bridle and roller, we were off to explore the yard :-D
Ziggy was quite wired at all the new surroundings, but so respectful and trusting - staying with me, being guided and listening, it makes me feel humbled and proud that he puts so much trust in me already. We did a tour of the yard - eyes pretty much on stalks seeing the walker (going round on it's own in the breeze!!), past the enormous muck trailer and up to the lunge pen.
I ran through a normal training session - I can't say I got the level of commitment and relaxation I had at Greenhouse Farm or at home, but Ziggy did everything I asked and listened well producing some lovely work in a totally alien environment. Then we walked up the yard back to the field completely calm, on a loose lead with the weekend girls in awe of his gorgeousness :-D

I LOVE this horse, he is truly amazing!!