Another interesting session with Benny, after last week when I was about to give up, I regrouped and tried again. Tracey Duncan came to help with a 45 foot line. This has the advantage of being long enough and firm enough for me to be able to keep Benny online without him being bothered about it. There was no tension on the line as he needed to move his feet again in the arena across from the field. He wasn’t quite as hyper as last time but still on adrenaline. He was allowed to do whatever he felt he needed to do at first, then once he was more settled and rejoined me we worked on a few figures of 8. The first 2 were fine but then he needed to move again and went off with me trying to keep in zone 5 whilst not pulling on the line, so he feels more like he is at liberty.
Gradually he reconnected and mirrored my walking, with lots of turns around the school. There were times when he needed to go around the arena but he did circle closer and closer keeping his ear on me. He managed to sidepass along the pole both away and towards me, he does like going sideways so that is a little reward. Lots of fuss and praise when he got it correct.
Then he left and I kept him in canter round the arena, he changed direction by himself with me just trying to keep a neutral contact with the line, he did some great lead changes – all I need now is to get him to do the same under saddle!
I am now very stiff and aching after all my running about!!
All I need now is to get Benny more connected so he can settle faster and be ridden safely.
Positive Horsemanship. 
Cor, well done Gill! That sounds like a marathon session. You’re certainly getting your workouts! Lucy x
Indeed it was Tracey said he would have been ok to get on for the last half hour but by that time I was exhausted. I need him to come down
quicker. Will try for a ride today – have a friend joining me as I don’t like riding when no-one is around.