Versatility

To help Tex become the well rounded horse that I know he can be, we decided that it was time for the Stock saddle. Now, I know, there are many people who say there is no difference, If a horse can be saddled with an English saddle, then they can wear the Western saddle, but I have seen some pretty quiet horses become bothered when all of the leather starts moving around, and making new noises that English saddles don't make. So we started S-L-O-W

(Evan got to work with Tex today so I could be the photographer)

We started with the flag. We have been using this for the last couple of weeks. It is very useful to help desensitize the horses. I always turned my nose up at this kind of work, but now realize that it is very relevant in helping the horses become more trusting and less reactive. So Tex can be touched all over with the flag, and he is getting use to it waving around him on both sides. He was (and sometimes still is) bothered with it on his right side, so we do extra work over there. He is really improving, and now I am fairly confident that he won't totally panic when a Wal-mart sack blows across the Dressage arena where he is doing a test in the future.

He did fine getting saddled, and moving off to the left, but got a little worried about it going right

He settled quickly and then Evan free lunged him both ways at all three gaits. By the end, Tex was comfortable and looking for more attention.

 

 

Evan finally relinquished my horse back to me and I got to ride. Tex was wonderful! The new tack didn't bother him at all. We cantered on both leads, trotted with soft feel and he is getting better in his transitions. I sat on him and worked him while Evan worked another horse and that is something that we are going to have to spend time doing. Being the race horse that he was, Tex got pretty worried when the other horse came close. He tried to get away, quickly. So we have some more homework...but for now, I can enjoy my Dressage/English/Western horse