Thursday, July 20, 2017

July 20, 2017


Shine is growing and learning very fast. I haven’t owned him very long, but this year has been super fun! Shine is now 16 months old and I am getting him used to splint boots and “sacking him out” with the western saddle blankets. I plan to have him used to pretty much everything before I can even get on him. I’ll start the saddle in about two months. He is doing great so far!
Shine is already loading himself in the small horse trailer I have. Transportation will not be a problem with him. J Shine also has a gorgeous canter! Here is what I did with him today:
Dear Diary,
I like to change up my training sessions with Shine to keep us both guessing. Yes, sometimes I don’t even know what I want to do when I get out there.
Today I brushed Shine first, but when I brushed his neck he raised his head and showed his teeth. Does he like it or not? I’m not sure. I will continue to work with him so he just stands relaxed when I brush him. Then we did a lot of jogging . . . I want to keep in shape too. Heehee!
We jogged up toward the main arena. Then jogged on past the arena and did a few stops and starts to see if he was paying attention to me. He was lazy at first, but got better as I kept working on it. He can do a very quick stop. Next we turned back toward the main arena and jogged into it. It’s a little harder for me to jog next to him in there because of the deeper sand, but we both did well. We jogged through the poles set up for pole bending and he again stayed right with me. Good boy!
Later we did some jogging where I ran next to him and he was able to pick up the canter while staying beside me. I think he loves that! I know I do.
I need to keep switching up the training, I think it more fun for both of us.