This is much better bend!
And here is why I work so hard to get the bend and focus while I am on the ground
So when I get on, I know that I can keep his attention and keep him focused on me and where I want his feet to go.
This lateral work has been the key for me to help the horse with every step of his riding.
I am continually amazed at Tex. I watched his races... he looks like a race horse, he went into the bit, he moved like a racehorse, but when I got on today he was not what I was expecting, he didn't ACT like a racehorse. He stood for me to mount, he wasn't bothered by my leg, he listened to my seat, he was quiet, soft and mostly focused (it is tough for even the most seasoned horses to deal with the herd in the back pasture wandering through the woods and watching with their heads over the fence). The best part was when he did become unfocused, I just had to go back to bending.
We started in the round pen, but he was so good there that we got bored so I had an idea... Now, I have to admit that I watch horse training DVDs and there is an excellent one with Tom Curtain about retraining racehorses. In this DVD he opens a gate from one of the horses, and that horse became VERY agitated, so this crossed my mind when I decided to open the gate with Tex.
I didn't need to worry! He even moved his hips over so we could get out!
(I think Evan stopped taking photos because he was a little concerned too)
Since I tend to push my luck trying to find new things for my horses I took Tex over the log
He didn't even slow down!
We did more circles and bending exercises outside and then trotted around. He has a fantastic sense of rhythm and carries himself without any trouble. He again amazed me with his willingness, not to mention he has a great trot!
I could have ridden another hour, but the weather was starting to get pretty wet and I had other horses to ride so we finished with a good pat and I can't wait to get on tomorrow
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