June 26, 2018

I had fun training Shine today:

• He stood calmly while I tacked him up. Though he did bite the rope a few times, he stopped when I gently pulled it out of his mouth. 
• He continued to stand calmly while I set the western saddle on his back and he didn't try to bite the saddle like he has in the past.
• He also stood calmly while I tightened the saddle
• I mounted from there after he quickly accepted the bit and then rode him down the hill to the arena.
• He more easily walked down the hill and followed my leg cues rather than zig-zagging back and forth.

He did seem to have a lot of energy, so I tailored his training around that:

• Worked on quick zigzags around the arena one whole time each direction
• Worked him at the canter in small circles, then had him stop (he is greatly improving on his stops) and turned to go the other way in small circles at the canter.
• As a breather from the quick turns, I had him pick up the canter, going around the whole arena. He loved that. I had him go one way then turn smaller circles before picking up the canter in the other direction.

Calm boy:

• When we were walking back to the hitching post, one of the young girls came up on a horse that was quite excited and not listening to her rein cues.
• Shine stayed calm the whole time, even though the other horse was jigging around close to Shine.

Shine's training has come a long way - I praised him today and that other girl was impressed by how much he has learned in his young life. Shine is only 2 years and 3 months old.

Sweet!

June 17, 2018

Another day to see improvement in Shine's training. I had most of the ranch to myself again as well.

I tacked Shine at the hitching post and he stood calmly. Once I had the saddle snug, I turned him from the hitching post and he accepted the bridle (2 reined bridle).

Then I mounted and had him trot up toward the main arena. About halfway there, I had him stop and rest for several seconds then continue on at the trot. I entered the main arena from the far side at the trot.

I did some zigzagging up the length of the arena then made a circle and did zigzagging back to the other way. He is starting to really turn and give to my leg cues.

Then I had him stop, wait, then canter around the arena. His transition from motion to halt is really improving.

I made up different sequences and had a pause between each one. We did a little of barrel work too. He is a great horse!

After enjoying the main arena and the barrels, I worked to have him picking up one lead, cantering a circle, dropping to a trot, and picking up the other lead.

To cool him down I walked him across the street to the field, meaning I rode him over there.

I dismounted to open and close the gate, then mounted again. After walking around the entire perimeter of the field, I again dismounted to open and close the gate.

Then we trotted back across the street and walked up the driveway.