Training WIth the Lightning: The Two Month Mark

DAY 55-57: We just about hit the two month mark! It has been a whirlwind journey for this great gelding and he has really learned a great deal. His health has continues to improve and he has consistently been a willing partner in all of our adventures!

Day 55 found us at the fairgrounds arena. We met a fellow Brumbie’s member (Kimberly) at the arena as she was in the area after visiting her three year old Kiger mustang gelding (Armando) and his trainer. She has done LOTS of the ground work with him but wanted to get some help getting him ready to be under saddle. We started with our usual warm up exercises and then got into some Leading Beside (with and without the lead rope), Circle Driving and Yielding the Forequarters. These went pretty well over all for the horse. The human was having a bad day…hitting himself with the string, tripping over the rope, dropping the rope and dropping the stick. I believe Brody was laughing on the inside. We finally got the human (me) together and moved on. Next we worked on Sending. Something near the rail was not agreeable to Brody and he over reacted to passing the section of fence. So, after inspection that nothing harmful was in the area we began Sending and worked on it until he calmed down and reflected the energy I asked for. Once we forgot four good passes each side we took a break. We tried our hand at the Intermediate level execise C- Patterns and we did okay (probably would get a C to C+ on the exercise). Then we let Kimbery work with Brody a bit and she did well with him. They did a quick review of the groundwork exercises we focused on. After a breather and a beverage we got to work under saddle. Brody seemed amore energized and focused. We ran through some basics and then Kimberly got a ride and they two had fun. Brody actually attempted several lead changes! It was neat to see him move like that. We wrapped up with some cool down work and headed home as we had folks from out of the area coming over to participate in a weekend long workshop on living history skills.

Day 56 found Brody being the center of attention! He was used for a Body Language/Footwork class with several western martial arts students. The round pen exercises teach the human about focus, energy, intent and position. It is amazing how working with a 1000 pound animal can alter one’s focus and…eventually…improve it.

Lots of rubs and treats were Brody’s reward for putting up with the silly humans. He took the different accents in stride and really gave it his best. Later in the day he was helping teach a Horse 201 class. He helped folks learn about how to move a horse’s feet on the ground and under saddle and humans should develop an independent seat. He really took care of the novices and gave those with some confidence a great ride both in the round pen and out in the pasture (he got to trot and lope around Argent and show off a little bit which was good for his ego). He got some great grooming and extra Stable Mix as a reward when the class was over.

            Day 57 found us back in the round pen to try Changing Sides, Run Up and Rub and The Plastic Bag as well as out usually conditioning work. Changing Sides took him about 10 minutes to understand and perform at a C+/B- level which seemed just fine for a first attempt. The Plastic Bag was very scary at first and he reacted as expected but not quite as scared as was assumed. Within 20 minutes or so he was comfortable (albeit not happy) about the bag being in his personal space and on himself. The Run Up and Rub…well…it was human error for most the exercise but he eventually stood calm and accepted the rubs. More work on this is slated. Three “new” exercises and his normal conditioning routine was a enough for the third-day-in-a-row and we ended our session with some wins.

            We have come pretty far in a very short time. We could not be happier that Brody came into our lives when he did. Spring is slowly coming to the Sierra Foothills. We have a Play Day set for March and a two day camping trip at a very unique site (trails, arenas, obstacles and more) for April. This is shaping up to be a FUN season! Stay tuned!