reindeerlover
Well-Known Member
Rode Copper down the road today and knew I was in for some fun when the first thing he did when I tied him up was pull back and untie himself! He didn't go anywhere, just wandered off so tied him up again. Tacked up fine, gnashing the bit a heck of a lot. Had the dutch gag on the bridle so left that on as we were just hacking. Got on no problems, wandered off. Did some stomp/walk/strut transitions 
for the first 1/2 mile then some trot and he settled ok. Asked for some halts and standing still and he started to nap, swinging his quarters, backing up (impressive!) etc. He soon learnt that it hurt his bum when he did that (schooling whip- yey!).
Did a little more walk/trot and a couple more halts without incident. He seemed a little happier in the gag, maybe because it had cheek pieces and helped him to point his head in the right direction (technically speaking..).
Halted then on the way home for a car to come out of a driveway and he threw all his toys right out of the pram. Little rear and spin, jump in the air and little buck, spun again. Sore bottom. Turned his head and looked at me intently for a minute then did the best roll back I have seen this side of a western show. stopped. Made him go backwards again, faster. He thought better of doing that again and threatened to rear again. I hate that moment when they just stop. They feel relaxed and you don't know what they are going to do and you just have to wait! Anyway, he seemed to take a breath and then just carried on! Little sod.
Walked back without incident, slightly too fast walk and some neighing for friends but not too much naughtiness other than the rather purposeful march. Can't really tell him off for that!
Anyway, he smudged his copybook a bit with that and then bucky horse (bay in siggie) was extra good when lunged to make up for it. Why must I always have one bad one and one good one??
for the first 1/2 mile then some trot and he settled ok. Asked for some halts and standing still and he started to nap, swinging his quarters, backing up (impressive!) etc. He soon learnt that it hurt his bum when he did that (schooling whip- yey!).Did a little more walk/trot and a couple more halts without incident. He seemed a little happier in the gag, maybe because it had cheek pieces and helped him to point his head in the right direction (technically speaking..).
Halted then on the way home for a car to come out of a driveway and he threw all his toys right out of the pram. Little rear and spin, jump in the air and little buck, spun again. Sore bottom. Turned his head and looked at me intently for a minute then did the best roll back I have seen this side of a western show. stopped. Made him go backwards again, faster. He thought better of doing that again and threatened to rear again. I hate that moment when they just stop. They feel relaxed and you don't know what they are going to do and you just have to wait! Anyway, he seemed to take a breath and then just carried on! Little sod.
Walked back without incident, slightly too fast walk and some neighing for friends but not too much naughtiness other than the rather purposeful march. Can't really tell him off for that!
Anyway, he smudged his copybook a bit with that and then bucky horse (bay in siggie) was extra good when lunged to make up for it. Why must I always have one bad one and one good one??
