Hi Frances.
Thanks for your comments.
Don't worry, I am not really planning to 'start ' Magie next spring, backing is just about accepting the saddle, the human, maybe a little guiding. In the program I am following for her, most of what we are playing with is on the ground and her 2nd year there is only 10-20 hours of playing around with the saddle, person lying on her back a bit, etc. Just part of the process. Then again in the fall the same. The 3rd year, I plan to put a bit of time into her gently 40 hours spring and fall. Level 3 by age 3 on the ground on-line and at liberty.
She is already line driving from the hip left and right and is so enthusiastic about learning new things. This winter, I am probably putting her into the parade with her bells. She goes on her 'trail walks' with me all over the place.
I am really trying to get a good foundation on her in her first years to benefit her for life. :) I've waited too long for a Canadian to be rushing her through her paces. :)

The Canadian Horse in your profile pic looks soo much like my sisters pony!!

Hi, Francis! Yes, it is kinda interesting how Bis pushed his way into my heart-lol.He kept pestering me so much when I was visiting my quarter horse, I had to take time to teach Bismark some manners(he kept trying to get into my back pocket-lol). The more I fooled with him, the more I knew this was a special horse. I told the farm owner if she ever heard Bis was for sale, to let me know. The owners and I got along so well, the price kept going down, and then they gave him to me for my birthday-said they would feel like it would be 'blood money' if they sold him, said it was obvious how much we loved each other, so that was that, and now I have my boy, who is priceless to me! Bismark, as I understand, by Canadian registration, is actually his sires name-Mainguy Bismark Faco is how he is registered-I guess his name is actually Faco, but he's always been called Bismark-sounds more cool than 'Faco', lol, is that a Canadian name? Maybe I'm just biased, but Canadians are the best horse going!