This may be a long post. So please bear with me. As many of you know I am working with Alex (Alexander's Band). A former race horse. I have had him since about 2 weeks before joining the Uni. So its been about 3 months now. The first few weeks were great. Then he got his hoofs trimmed and went lame. After a Vet visit and 3 weeks off we started back up. I was feeling a bit down about that. Both for Alex (his feet) and me (no training). I immediately found that mounting was a big issue. As he is 17h and I'm now a short and arthritic old man, I need a mounting block. I did jump way ahead on the Uni lessons to learn about teaching a horse to move towards a mounting block. More disappointment. He just would not work it. Now... I have to add that here in Los Angeles we are having some finicky weather. Last week it was in 70'sF (20'sC). Today it is 102F (39C). It's been this way for weeks now. So I'm like a week on and week off. More disappointment. But, this morning in the coolness of the house, I did this lessons: WESTERN TRAINING (5). After watching Clint work Steel Buns and finding out he has been work the turns for about 6 month and seeing that even with Mr. Roberts having to school Nice Chrome. Just in the time I have Alex. I know we are doing great. I am so encourage now and feel we are progressing very, very well. Being green as I am; a real kindergarten student here, I know it's gonna take a year before Alex is a competent saddle horse. And that is okay. I also know he will be no Quarter Horse. But the big guy sure seems to have the ability as I see it. He really seems to enjoy the whole western saddle thing. His mounting is getting better. So is his backing up. I have discovered a racing cues. If you apply a little pressure to his right at the girth to get him to straighten out to the left during walking. That's a left lead cue and he takes off like he is coming out of the starting gate. So I have changed to light touch towards his hindquarter with my heal. But its all a learning process and I'm in it for the long haul.
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You are doing great Greg. With ex race horses slow is fast as they do have so much to learn. Even mounting can be a real issue for some as most jockeys get a leg up into the saddle. Pity you had to take time off with sore hooves but no doubt it was a good bonding period for you both. Alex is a very lucky boy to have found you.
Aww, sounds great Greg, you are on this journey together, just lay back and enjoy :-) You will get there I'm convinced of it.
Well done Greg, don't think of the time though with Alex, you've many years to come together so just enjoy learning along with him, be in the now with Alex and he'll come to trust you with everything you introduce.
X
Don't worry so much Greg, you're doing fine, they very often come back even better than before after a break as they've had time to think about it all & your Alex definitely has a special bond with you! It isn't necessary to work them every day, so at times when you can't train him, relax, just enjoy each other company.
Lovely to hear your both doing so well together, it's just so exciting to get learning together! Even when you can't train, just spending time together gets the bond going! Looking forward to hear more of your journey!
Glad you are content with slow is fast. How is the smoke at your place. Be careful not to do to much with the fire ash in the air.