Ace and I have been out for a bit less than an hour on the road (otherwise known as a foot rasp :-) His feet are looking really good and sounding like a set of rocks as they hit the tarmac.
I have been applying the same discipline to his behaviour out on a hack as I do now in the arena. I won't get in a fight with him, but neither is he allowed to skirt out around patches of road that are a different colour. He has to walk over them, or he is not allowed to carry on.
Last year, this kind of discipline simply made him dangerous, rearing and spinning. It appears that he is now grown up enough to take it. I hope that the same will apply to our dressage tests tomorrow, because it has now worked both in the arena yesterday and on the road today.
I'm quite prepared to do walk and trot tests all season if he improves his spooky behaviour. If not, the person I plan to send him to for evaluation is also there tomorrow and I can have a chat with her.
C
It does get rather tiresome to remember to be the disciplinarian every moment--38 years of teaching high school taught me that--but being consistent is one of the most important elements of really successful training.
ReplyDeleteHorses like Ace and Tucker will take advantage of any moment of failing on our parts to have their own ways. I think, however, that odds are Ace will grow out of it...unlike a certain TB I know. Ace has a much better basic character than my naughty boy.
I think Ace is less sure of his own mind and his own strength than Tucker sounds Jean. I too believe that he will grow out of this like Jazz did.
ReplyDeleteC