Two firsts for the Spotty Botty

[ahlam1399]

No, not rosettes, more important than that. Our first disagreement, and our first canter. The disagreement was over whether he was going to go to the gateway or go round the second half of a big circle. Up went the head until I could see his nostrils and his jaw opened so far he could have swallowed one of the minis :) I waited him out with a constant contact while continuing in to push him forward, until he dropped his head and I gave an instant release as a reward. The napping I got over by changing to squares instead of circles. One and a half squares later, we reached an agreement that big circles with your head in the right place was far more pleasant for all concerned. Anything can happen when a three year old decides it's not going to do what you tell it. It's great to get the first one out of the way and know just how much (or little in this case) trouble they are going to give you. This has made me even more confident when riding him. I tested the leg yield and it's just 'there', 100% there. No further training needed, it's absolutely stunning. So I thought 'what the hell' and although I find the first canter the most nerve wracking thing in backing a young horse, I sat the trot, allowed him to go faster back towards the gate, clicked, and he stepped neatly into canter, down the arena and stopped gently at the gate. Same on the other rein. I hope this doesn't jinx things, but he is one of the easiest horses I've ever started. And the canter is sublime! Like sitting on a boat gently rocking on the ocean swell. Last night I took him out in hand and knocked down and moved a set of jumps I'd been doing with my cob. He followed me everywhere while I was carrying poles and big plastic jump blocks. Today we walked over and through poles on the floor. It would be understandable of he was dull and slow witted, but he isn't, he's bright and sharp and inquisitive. He just doesn't flap about things unnecessarily. He comes to call and is very people orientated, too. What a find he was, on Dragon Driving, unbroken in a field in Nantwich six months ago.

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