This last lesson was my favorite. Well, they all are, but this time I got to ride in a field! Around trees, and more straight areas to ride in then a round pen.
Robyn thought that since I was so gentle with Shorty that I could use a high port bit for reining training.
She had gotten her trail riding saddle back that she loaned out to a family member, and oh my goodness was my behind happy. That saddle is so comfortable. It moves with you, kind of conforms to your seat.
I'll start from the beginning where I arrive and give carrots to Shorty, when Tonto allows him, and Tonto, and Ollie the donkey.
Do my usual grooming as stated in previous blog.
We did something a little different this time that Clint Anderson advises. That is, when your horse is feeling a little ornary, get a long rope, and rotate it by your side to make them run around the round pen. When they do start walking, trotting, to your satisfaction then stop rotating the rope. This teaches them to respect you. If they stop moving, then rotate the rope, as so on. I did this for about 15-20 minutes then when I stopped rotating the rope at this point, Shorty walked up to me. I said "Good Boy" and gave him a carrot. Then we saddled up.
We practiced reining in the round pen for a good 20 minutes until we, Shorty and I, got the feel of each other......and I could stop him!
Then we rode out of the round pen, out of the pasture gate, under a couple short lines, and out to the side yard. Which is huge and full of trees. We rode around trees, he gained speed when I asked him to, with my forward lean, and feet on either side. We even rode around a tree at a steady trot! The next thing I have to learn will be how to sit the trot because Shorty puts a lot of air between me and the saddle. So, I'll have to learn to ride it.
This entire lesson took almost 2 1/2 hours and I loved every minute of it. I can't wait to see what we will be doing this week!
Robyn thought that since I was so gentle with Shorty that I could use a high port bit for reining training.
She had gotten her trail riding saddle back that she loaned out to a family member, and oh my goodness was my behind happy. That saddle is so comfortable. It moves with you, kind of conforms to your seat.
I'll start from the beginning where I arrive and give carrots to Shorty, when Tonto allows him, and Tonto, and Ollie the donkey.
Do my usual grooming as stated in previous blog.
We did something a little different this time that Clint Anderson advises. That is, when your horse is feeling a little ornary, get a long rope, and rotate it by your side to make them run around the round pen. When they do start walking, trotting, to your satisfaction then stop rotating the rope. This teaches them to respect you. If they stop moving, then rotate the rope, as so on. I did this for about 15-20 minutes then when I stopped rotating the rope at this point, Shorty walked up to me. I said "Good Boy" and gave him a carrot. Then we saddled up.
We practiced reining in the round pen for a good 20 minutes until we, Shorty and I, got the feel of each other......and I could stop him!
Then we rode out of the round pen, out of the pasture gate, under a couple short lines, and out to the side yard. Which is huge and full of trees. We rode around trees, he gained speed when I asked him to, with my forward lean, and feet on either side. We even rode around a tree at a steady trot! The next thing I have to learn will be how to sit the trot because Shorty puts a lot of air between me and the saddle. So, I'll have to learn to ride it.
This entire lesson took almost 2 1/2 hours and I loved every minute of it. I can't wait to see what we will be doing this week!
