Training with the Lightning: Four In A Row!

DAY 33-36: Our First Four In A Row!

Yes, we actually got in four training sessions in a row! The stars aligned and we made it happen. Whew! The first session (Day 33) was a bit rushed as we got to the arena later than we had planned. Brody got maybe 10 minutes of groundwork to warm up and then we worked at the walk (20%) and the trot (80%) doing Follow the Fence and making circles and diagonals. It was weird for us because we usually use groundwork as a teaching tool and prefer to do at least 30 minutes of it. While Brody felt less focused than normal he was adaptable to the change. We actually got some nice attempts at collection and speed control on the trot. We worked on a loose rein and with some contact. We did two trot/lope transitions which were improved and felt nice. We wrapped up with some Backing under saddle and then cooled down with some Leading Beside on the ground. A vigorous rub down and Frosted Mini Wheats (he loves them) wrapped up the session. 

 Our next session (Day 34) found us at Cedar Springs Livery & Sables in Placerville. We met our friends Gale and Katie there. Katie is a novice horseman who is learning the program of training we follow (the Downunder Horsemanship program) and after some warm up exercises we started on Lunging for Respect 1 and 2, Circle Driving, Sending and Leading from Beside. Brody and Katie worked together and did the teams of Laurie/Argent and Gale/Janie. Other folks joined in and asked questions as I floated about trying to help as I could. Part of the arena was still muddy so our work space was reduced, which allowed us to desensitize the horses to bright yellow caution tape, cones and PVC pipe!  At one point Janie chose not to canter to the right. Gale really tried to get the point across but ran into Janie’s stubborn streak. So, we took her to the round pen and reviewed the basics of moving out when told. Janie know me now and know that she has to try or the pressure doesn’t back off. As soon as she tried, she was rewarded. We spent about 15 minutes in a refresher course with lots of direction changes and rewarding the slightest try until she felt like she understood what was asked of her. While I worked in the round pen Gale worked with Brody while Laurie let Katie work with Argent. We really focused on good training tool use, using good body language and being clear in what we wanted our horses to do. The groundwork went well and the humans improved. Then after a short break we saddled up. I rode Brody, working on his softness, his steering and his gas pedal. We did several one-rein stops and some walk-trot-lope transitions. After giving Katie a primer on how to cue Brody and a short lead line lesson she felt confident to move out on her own. Things went very well. Brody really played to her level. He gave her the slowest walk I have ever seen him do and his trot was mellow and slow. They really had a great session! Once I noted that Brody was zoning out a bit I had Katie stop him, back him up and then dismount. I got on and we did more active riding with direction changes, attempts at rollbacks and gait transitions. It was a great visual example of how Brody reflects the energy he is given and how he likes to move. We ended with some Leading Beside (on the ground) and playing a little on the line. Has Brody’s condition improves his personality is coming out more. We are learning the signals each other gives and the partnership is really developing.

The following day (Day 35) we hit the Fairgrounds Arena. This was our first daylight visit. We did a bit of exploring around the two arenas and the grounds themselves. We did our warm up and then ground work in the smaller arena with the trail class obstacles. This was a first for Brody. We crossed the wood bridge and sent over the square marked by timbers, backed between some markers (and the rail) and even played between the cones! It was mentally stimulating for both Brody and Argent and fun for us too. Then we saddled up and got to work. The issues with the girth are slowly improving. Each training session Brody calms down a little faster. Sometimes he reacts after the fact…meaning we tacked up and then he pulls back or rears up a little. He gets corrected quickly and then we move on. This seems to be his biggest issue so far. He has spots on his back from past saddle sores (probably from his barrel racing or ranch days) and has not let it go just yet. It will take time and the use of advance, retreat, reward as a training process but we feel that we can overcome this. Another issue we tackled today was the fear of the sheds and announcer booth that sit along one side of the arena. We used advance/retreat and Sending to help build Brody and Argent’s confidence near these scary objects. Once we felt that some wins were achieved we mounted up and began to ride. Today was about conditioning for Brody. Lots of trotting and some transitions filled the first half of the session. When we got some wins in the areas of effort, speed control and steering we took a break. Other riders were there enjoying the nice weather and we got to see some fine examples of equitation. After the break we worked on the exercises, including Diagonals (a first for Brody). Since the arena is pretty big we trotted to the middle, stopped, backed up a few steps and then finished going across. We did this at the canter a couple of times too. More one rein stops were a big part of the process and something he is picking up more slowly than I had hoped. While this is a boring exercise I think next week it is going to be the primary focus as I really want his stops to occur off of my seat. He does stop when the left rein is lifted/pulled quickly, the right…not as much. The balancing act of getting Brody in shape to train within the program and actually training is tough. He is mentally improving faster than his physical side due to how thin he was. I love his work ethic and his desire to give 100%. My job is to ensure that every training session is positive and rewarding. It was a fun day!

After work (Day 36) we loaded up and hit the arena. The sun was setting as we arrived and the parking area for trailers was pretty chaotic. No thought as to how others could get in by the folks who were there. Makes a person crabby! A group of folks were running barrels (even though it was not allowed on this night…sigh…and their dog was running around loose too) so as we groomed and tacked up Brody watched the horses run. He seemed to remember doing that and sort of revved up a bit. We got tacked up (minus the bridle) and walked about the ground. Not sure if they got the hint or not but soon the barrels were being put away and the dog put on a leash as their horses were allowed to tear around the arena in a turn out fashion. We waited for this to conclude before entering the arena and got to work. Brody was more willing to flow into the canter on the line than in previous sessions, hence the revved up and remembering observation. It was heartening to see to be sure and we worked with that energy doing about 45 minutes of groundwork, reviewing and refining most of the skills he knows. While this was happening the barrel race group left and other folks showed up. We went about our program, mounted up and began our ride. Brody was still not as focused on me as I liked and blew off some of my leg cues so I got out my spurs. The jingle of the rowels got his attention. Hardly used them at all which was nice but the improvement in Brody’s focus was noticeable. During a break we watched folks do groundwork. To say it was interesting is an understatement. Some folks were very clear and some were…well…not. What was reflected back by the horse was the proof of how effective the human was.

We got into a groove and rode longer than we had planned originally. The indication that we overshot the time to quit was when I asked Brody to move out and make a right turn. He literally dragged his foot and sighed heavily. While he does take deep breaths he never drags his feet like that. Oops! We them walked to the center, backed and dismounted. We did some cool down line work at the walk and some Leading Beside.

Extra feed for dinner was the reward for a job well done! The lesson here is that Brody is not quite ready for four ground work/riding sessions in a row just yet, even if his brain says he can. We will return to three full sessions and one groundwork only session for the next few weeks and see how he does. His willingness is a bit contagious and I have to be aware of that. Also I am really focused on his rest/reward periods. He needs that validation to feel good about the process so…more cuddles/rubs during training it is!