I started off today with Mr. Bubbles, who has already migrated to the back of my mind what with the new four ponies. He was very good but just needs to learn the routine. He's a little too jumpy off the leg and off voice commands. I stressed the poor guy out by making him walk while I clucked and kissed at him repeatedly and gave him little squeezes with my legs. I figure the only way to get him to not be so jumpy off the legs and voice is to desensitize him to them a bit. He really didn't like the exercise and I clicked and kissed until my mouth was dry but I think he started to get the point and relax. He's really smart ad quiet, he just doesn't know that going slow is perfectly acceptable as a lesson pony. He also still guards his mouth a lot, especially to the left. But I think he probably needs to see a dentist and again, just figure out his job. I sure hope he can end our lesson pony search. Ugh.
Next in line was Doc, who was so very muddy. I could have ridden a third horse today in time it took me to groom him. Today I tried Doc in a Mylar dee ring instead of the loose ring French link. The loose ring helped me communicate to him that e needs to get his head out of the sky and soften in the hand, but he was playing with it TOO much and started to suck behind it. I wanted something with some wiggle to keep him from locking up and grabbing the bit, but something a little more stable so he would reach for it. He seemed to do really well in the Mylar. Usually in not much of a Mylar fan, but it was the best option I had available and it's action seemed ideal for Doc. He's still inconsistent but he felt a little more steady today. We popped a couple of jumps and I introduced him to the brush boxes. He launched them a few times but got better each time.
I had time for just one pony after Doc. I'm thinking about just focusing on getting two ponies under saddle for now and not fussing too much with the other two...I realized that trying to tackle all four in a way that would be beneficial for them and safe for me in addition to all the other projects simply isn't realistic. So I think for now I'll just focus on the two geldings, who seem bolder and could get under tack sooner. The girls can just keep settling in until either I have time for them or the weather improves and some of the regulars start hanging around the barn more often and can help get them working.
I worked with Trick today. We did a short review and then put on the bridle and a surcingle with side reins (not clipped to the bit at first). I let him work around me a bit to realize he could move and get used tithe flopping side reins. The I clipped the side reins to the bit loosely and clipped on a lunge line and had him practice lunging so we can move to two lines and then start working in the ring. He was very good, he does have a bit of trouble stopping straight without turning his whole body toward me, but he started to get it. He still seems very clever and interested in work. I can tell he's going to be hard to keep straight going to the left, and too stiff to the right, but that's good to know now so we can try to even him up a bit in the side reins and while ground driving before I ever sit on him.
Trick was a little ouchy today so the session ended early. I'm guessing right hind since he'd prop that foot whenever he'd stop for a moment. Hopefully he'll feel better quickly!
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