A few dot points about what’s between happening with Joey while I’ve been on enforced radio silence.
- We cantered! It wasn’t great, but it was there. I was very happy with it at the end because I was actually brave enough to canter him for the first time since I brought him home, and it was just me and him – no one else. Go us!
- Contact - Joey has basically started to disrespect the bitless bridle I’ve been working him in, so I switched him into a French Link/Double Jointed Eggbutt snaffle, and we are working on achieving soft, firm and consistent contact so that he respects the bridle, but more importantly, his rider!
- Trust under saddle – On that note, I know that Joey’s disrespect is founded in the fear and distrust he has in his rider to be able to ride him without hurting him. He basically feels that he has to control the contact, and keep it loose, or he will get hurt. I think we are making progress in that direction; it’s taking time, but we are getting there.
Plans for moving forwards:
I have committed to working Joey five mornings a week – I get up at 6:00am and go straight to the horse. The idea is to work him before I start my usual day.
So far, it’s there’s a 50/50 success rate. The first week I said I’d do that, my 11 month old boy got sick, then so did I. That was the end of that. Then I managed to work him Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, NOT Thursday, Friday, Saturday… Which brings us to this last week.
Of course I got injured at soccer on Sunday and couldn’t use my left hand/fingers properly until Friday. Even now it’s still sore, but at least I can get back into it. Yeah, not a great if you think about it – that’s two weeks off and one week on, but I am trying and I am committed.
I’ve already seen some results with working him that regularly, so I know that it’s beneficial. It makes me feel heaps better too! There is something to be said for early nights and early mornings, even though I am a total night owl and I really don’t know how I got myself roped into this…..
Oh, that’s right. I just don’t have enough time to progress Joey’s training otherwise. I literally have to MAKE the time, and the only way to do that is to cut two hours of night time activities – be it watching TV, or socializing -and then paste those two hours into the morning. crtl + x, crtl + v = horse improving. At least, that’s the plan. I’ll keep you updated on how that goes.
See ya,
Bonita
