Good Report Card!

 So nothing terribly exciting today but we went back to Rana's for another in hand lesson. I did him first and he was great. He only grabbed the lead line twice and that was only half heartedly. He went to work and didn't call for Funny and was really quiet and soft. He was cheating a little by not bending as well through his ribs, so Rana had me focus on his footfalls and getting his hind end to not sling out. It helps to really push him into the outside in the corners, as the corners hold his hind end in. We also worked on half halting with my body position. I'm still super confused about how to do it, but... while I may not have been doing it right with my body, he got the memo and we got some halts. Not quite half halts, but we'll get there. He kept breaking to a walk instead of slowing his trot, but... we'll get there. It was also hot and humid so he was not too keen on going. BUT, he didn't really stop unless I asked, so yay!

Then we talked about our homework. Working on keeping the front end out in line with the hind end. Also working on the half halt with my body. And instilling the leg aid for bend, by using the whip at his girth while also half halting on the line to teach him to bend around my inside leg. And.. Rana suggested I go ahead and put the bit on the cavesson while I do this. He's so relaxed in this work and really seems to enjoy it. She thinks that if I put the bit in and do this another month, he'll get over the tongue thing. This way there's no "reward" for him because there's no connection to lose. And if I (I'm gonna have to try really hard) just ignore it and not give him any feedback (even negative feedback is feedback and then we're playing) he'll hopefully just give it up. And I do agree with Kelli.. I do think there is a fair degree of tension relation. It definitely seems more problematic when he's tense. And since he gets so relaxed and happy and really enjoys this work, maybe this will be good reinforcement. So, that's the plan. And Thursday he gets his hocks injected, so.. I will hopefully get to start trotting under saddle. But I'll still keep doing this before rides and on days I can't ride. Hopefully by October he'll be brand new and sound and keep his tongue in place!

God's graces

 Ahhh, no wonder i was so cranky... Thurs didn't ride cause of acupuncture and farrier and dinner with friends and getting hay, then sat was tack sale and finishing the doghouse. 

finally rode today despite having a rough two days... 

The weather was hot, but a nice breeze and not so humd. Thanks God. Dan was perfect (other than taking me to the upper arena twice playing tug of war) in his pillar work and lunge work. Then did pillars under saddle. Then went on a short hack and played in the lake with Kelli and Marvin. 

Freaky Fri.... Wednesday!

 Turned them all out together. Danny is very protective and obsessed with Lyric. Luckily Funny and Flecky have been hanging out. Some antics and shenanigans. Funny kicked Dan's right stifle. FREAKIN' OF COURSE. Then they body checked each other. But he looked sound. 

Hung out for the day then early afternoon I took Funny and Danny to Ashland. In the rain.

Lovely hack in the beginning... softly raining so we stayed in the woods. so peaceful

But then coming across the dam there was a beaver in the lake and Dan got all wierded out and didn't want to cross. We had to fight a little bit but I managed to keep him from spinning and bolting and he got brave and we crossed the dam. Then in XC he freaked out and almost spun my off a few times. Funny was clueless and had no idea what he was spooking at. Nor did I. I saw nothing. He finally realized there wasn't anything. But then he got all chompy. And I assumed his tongue would have come out had I not had the jump bridle with the flash on. And then it did. Sigh... And he chomped and stressed the whole ride back to the trailer. I'm sure he's stressing about leaving Lyric at home too. 

Got home and he didn't panic. Turned them out and they slowly meandered back towards each other. No antics. Dinner time was not the case. Funny was back with Fleck and Dan and Lyric were stuck like glue. Like a two headed horse stuck. Like he even tried to go into the stall at the same time she did and they both slammed their hips in the door. Ugh. No kicking and no fussing when they were both in there together. Got him out to eat and he didn't want to eat. I'm sure stress but also the new smartpak. Sigh. 

Turned them back out and he and her are attached again. But Funny joined in. Fleck called from the stalls. Sadness. But he could have gone out. He eventually did.

Sad about the herd dynamics. Funny and him were so tight! But I'm sure it'll all settle. And maybe it's a good thing - maybe I can get the herd separation between the two of them resolved. though I may have to now get him over Lyric. Sigh. And extra sad and frustrated about the tongue. Obviously this was stress. But does that mean the other times are stress. Oh, and I cheated and trotted him for about 8 strides while riding to make sure he was sound. He was. Phew!