Horses change your training!

Well, anyone with a horse can tell you that things change frequently. Today i had my day all set out, and headed out into my stallions paddock to work him, as he was first on my list. I always do a bit of liberty with him when i catch him, so that was first up. He was a little slow on the uptake, but came on over. I hooked on my 22 foot rope as i wanted to get him cantering, i played with him yesterday and he was pretty amped up, so i was going to get it out of him today and let him have a bit of fun - BUT - he starts trotting around me, and he's lame.

Bummer. Was my first thought, but he wasnt so sore that i had to not work with him altogether, i just couldnt do what i wanted to do, so i went back to basics and worked on refining his back up - right to the end of the 22, and his draw, and then we worked on his sideways - hmmm interesting to the left he was fine, to the right, not so great, so i found something that i could work with. After getting this better, i headed on over to my cup of tea (first horse always has to deal with my cuppa for the morning!) and i sat on a stump and just hung out with him. I dont know if you do this, but if you dont - try it sometime, i find it really valuable with all my horses, they just like to hang out. I chat away to him and he nuzzles me, and smells my hair and fingers (careful if your horse bites!). Then we hopped up and did a little more work, and i took the halter off to do a little more liberty. I had him with me for a while, walking next to me, trotting, halting and backing up and then - Boom! Cooper decides a game of tag is a great idea. (Coopers paddock is hilly and about an acre!), but i took him up on the challenge and had a great game with him. I always finish a game of tag with him co-operating at liberty, walking, halting and disengaging so i know im finishing with his mind.