Woody started off today with his "get yer ands orf my mouth" mood on. So round we went with him with his head in the air and me with my hands somewhere under my chin and keeping a contact. Occasionally, he shoves his bum out sideways, and when put straight again he stops and runs backwards, for which he gets a flick with the whip. After playing this game for several minutes he realises that my hands are there to stay, drops his head, and consents to do a walk which is two strides brilliant three strides choppy, but he gets praised for walking on the contact at all, which helps him relax.
He was generally a bit mouthy today, but he has developed enough strength to trot much more slowly than he was able to last time we were on the arena. He also did some nice walk/trot/walk transitions, which I think is a new exercise for us, and one which would previously have fried his brain (well what do you want? Slow down or speed up, make up your mind!!!).
As we finished, he took the rein down and out into a spectacular sashay of a walk, which was a great note to end on.
The other two have another day off, and the next two as well as I am off to a family wedding.
See you in a couple of days.
C
As long as Woody ends each session on a good note, it becomes more and more likely that is what he will remember.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your wedding celebration. My best wishes to the bride and groom!
The bride and groom (my nephew) were a delight. The vicar was nearly an HOUR late!!!
DeleteC
hope they get a break in the weather for their big day...
ReplyDeleteAh, well, I wore my wellies into the church, there's your clue :-)
DeleteC