Herd bound no more (I hope)

Flash had a hard start in life and has some insecurity issues. His go-to misbehavior is herd-boundness, and boy, howdy, can he put on a show. Since I started leasing him, I've lost count of how many snaps, ropes, and leather halters he has broken by pulling back while tied. Camilla has been helping me with some pointers about his behavior, and I'm pretty much endlessly patient, so we've been making slow but sure progress. Today I tried out a whole new strategy, and he was a perfect gentleman! (Sorry about the whimsical black bars in the video. I must have clicked some weird setting in Movie Maker.)



Today I got on Dakota without lungeing first. He was perfect, of course. He could already go intro level; he's so easy to get on the bit! The canter still needs a lot of work, though. He needs to build strength. I haven't asked for it under saddle yet.

New video! Dakota under saddle

I had company at the barn today--Camilla came out to play with Flash. We each rode and then swapped ponies. My trip to Louisiana to ride, ride, ride is coming right up, and I need to get my riding muscles in shape! Flash is good for that; his trot is huge. Also, Dakota is building up his stamina, so I can start riding him for longer periods. This is the first time I've gotten to see him go with a rider. I love what I see!

Lungeing over ground poles

Yesterday I lunged Dakota over ground poles. Either he's pretty smart or he has seen them before, because he trotted right over them with no mistakes or confusion. They did help him relax through his back.



I also worked more on trot under saddle. He needs a lot of help balancing and bending, but he tries very hard. He's just the sweetest little man. I'll work him again tomorrow, and then I'm out of town for a week: first in Las Vegas for training on a new part-time job, and then to Nebraska for a holiday visit with my family.

Pass the popcorn

Dakota and I had quite an audience yesterday. I suppose grazing is pretty hard with this much snow still on the ground, so the herd is bored and looking for entertainment. They crack me up.

I shortened the side reins a little more, so Dakota is feeling a good contact now. He's head-high and bracing at the moment. I think I'm going to find some ground poles to get him to loosen his back and neck. I'm really happy with how far he's come in two months, though.

After lungeing I hopped on him again yesterday and we did a little trot work down the long sides and across the diagonal. He doesn't really have brakes yet, and steering is iffy, but he was a perfect gentleman. He's so soft in the mouth -- quite a change from Willow! I'll have to be careful not to let Dakota go behind the vertical as he comes along.

Oops!

The temperature and the roads were a little better today, so I was able to make it to the barn. As I was walking across the pasture toward the herd, I could see a horse with something strange about its head. I was really puzzled. I finally got close enough and saw that a little chestnut was wearing a blanket and a combo sleazy/hood, but they weren't made to be worn together (the blanket had no attachment points for a hood), and the sleazy/hood had flipped upside down and was hanging over the horse's head, completely covering his eyes.

The poor guy was pretty freaked out and had some bloody scratches on his legs. I had a hard time getting him to trust me enough to let me get near his head, but after following him around for thirty minutes or so, he finally gave up and let me flip the hood back and then remove it. He shook his head and neck for a long time once it was off. I called the barn owner to let him know the scratches might need a little attention, then caught Dakota and worked him. I shortened the side reins to where he's feeling some contact, and he was super. I can't wait to hop on him again--maybe tomorrow

I've never been at a barn that has such spectacular views. With the snow it's just breathtaking!