improving

Another good session with Benny and Tracey Duncan. I started before Tracey arrived with fore and hind quarter yields. Benny remembered from last time that he was to move his feet around the box made from poles, i.e his hinds in the box with his front moving and vice versa. Then some sideways over poles and barrels – both away and towards me. Then we tried some stick to me round the arena, halt and back up. When Tracey arrived we some figures of 8 round the barrels on a 22 foot line. I must do more with me standing still and Benny moving! I did manage in the end – he tried to leave and I managed to catch him and divert the energy to something else. His fore quarter yields are getting better, we did a few and some yo-yo to get his attention. Then on to the saddling – still need more practice as the saddle is so heavy. He moved so did some more stick by me, backups etc. Finally with saddle on we tried the barrel jump, the first time he tried but didn’t jump over. The right rein is easier for him as he has limited vision in his left eye. He left when on the left rein as he gets too worried about it. Back to me running with him so he can see me and then making a gap between the barrels so he could squeeze through to gain confidence. He jumped it beautifully after going through the squeeze a couple of times. He turned and faced me and I made much of him. Hopped on board and did some lateral flexions, 9 step backups. Then on to trot to achieve rhythm and relaxation on both reins. I wanted to do more carrot stick riding so spent the last part of the session doing that, and getting the lateral flexions and direct and indirect rein without using the reins but only the carrot stick. Need to perfect that for the bridleless riding!! No good taking off the bridle if we can’t turn or stop. Benny was such a good boy didn’t spook at the scary horses and carriage trotting up and down the lane. Only on little jump before we started as the dust cart went by, but he didn’t leave me just jumped away and then immediately came and stood by my side.