Well not too much exciting to report. Samson and I continue to work mainly on our ground work. Our training hours are really being hampered by this heat and no rain in weeks. We have started to work on directional back up on the ground. This is difficult for a horse but he seems to be grasping the concept. He has begun to think that our trotting in hand is quite fun and wants to be the leader!!! We will correct that today. He is showing himself to be quite intelligent as he continues to gain security in his environment and our schedule. Once he grasps a concept- it really seems to stick.
Yesterday I began to send him over obstacles - one of which is a big log. He was praised lavishly when he began to jump this log well and without hesitation. He certainly figured that out quickly--I then began to have him lope around me on the lunge line right beside the log-he thought if he jumped that log again I would let him stop and he would get somemore of that praise. He surprised me by veering off and leaping over that log without being sent and then stopped and looked at me expecting his reward!! I was so surprised I did not respond correctly. I laughed-not good!!
Samson has definitely gotten over his fear of the water hose. The heat accomplished what I was having trouble doing myself. When I turn on the hose now- here he comes- he stands there happily while he is soaked down.
My goal this weekend is to spend some time in the saddle. After the first few mounts I realized I needed to spend alittle more time on the ground cues, softening, etc. We have done that- so-"riders up".
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