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.

April 21, 2018

Training Shine has been a joy to train since he was 6 months old. It was been a fun adventure!

I was invited to ride a friend’s horse about a week ago. His horse is almost 6 years old and has had really good training. His mouth is sensitive to light touches and he responds to light pressure on his sides. It was fun and informative to ride the horse for even a few minutes, because I was able to take pointers from that short ride and use them in my training of Shine.

Today I worked with Shine to have him listen to the leg cues. I was careful to not give him mixed signals and to quickly correct my cue if I started to push too quickly for a response. Shine is definitely picking it up quickly and it is clear he is trying to understand what I want him to do.

When I was on my friend’s horse, he instructed me on how to get the horse to spin on his barrel. Though I didn’t accomplish a fast spin, it was still an awesome feeling to get the horse to perform that maneuver. I have never done that before. J

Though Shine is not spinning on his barrel yet, I did get him to move his front to the right and the left with only light pressure on one side then the other. He will probably be ready to spin in no time. Heehee!

November 11, 2017 (cont...)

We had a blast today!

November 11, 2017

Today was my first day to trot on Shine. We both enjoyed our time immensely. Fun times ahead! He has such a smooth trot.

November 4, 2017

I have introduced Shine to the western saddle now and have had it on his back for 5 different training sessions. I want to invest in a shorter cinch though because even when I get it as tight as I can, it still allows the saddle to slide a little when I mount.

I have also mounted several times. Yay! I think today made it a total of 3 different training sessions when I have mounted. The first several times I stayed on for only about 2 seconds before dismounting. Basically, giving Shine a feel for holding my weight. Today I stayed on Shine close to 10 seconds and he even took a few steps and gave to the pressure I put on his left shoulder and left rein. Then he gave to the pressure I put on his right shoulder and right rein. That is a direct translation from what I have asked him to do when I’m on the ground. Good boy!

September 16, 2017

Shine continues to grow quickly, both physically and mentally. He learns new things quickly, except the scary water :-) and I can tell he will be a great riding horse as well. He’s now 18 months old and just large enough around his middle for me to work him with the bareback pad on the tightest notch, as long as I put the western pad under it. Dad took some sport setting pictures of us in ‘freedom work’ and we are in step with each other. That is so cool!

Shine is calm when I put the splint boots on now and is basically calm most of the time. He also definitely has a lot of energy! He easily gets bored with just lunging though and would rather we do quick turns or have me jog beside him. He’s a funny boy! We are both going to have so much fun when we’re working together in the saddle. I can hardly wait!

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.