First Rides
Slider continues to get more settled every day. He now stands in the cross ties taking naps while I tack him up. He is less pushy on the ground and has even survived some less supervised times in the pasture.
Classing it up with wrap liners
We definitely need some work on standing still at the mounting block, but that is a brand new skill for him as riders get legged up at the track. Our first ride he was confused and tense, but a very good boy. We just walked a few circles and called it good. There actually wasn't anyone there to take a picture and my phone died so I couldn't get an ears shot (so did it really happen?). The next day we added in a bit of trot and he discovered he could relax just a bit.
What a good boy!
Here is some video of that ride. The neighbor even decided to start up the weed eater, Slider didn't care, but then he shouldn't, horses get exposed to all sorts of strange noises while at the track.
Amazing skies
He stood perfectly still while I put wraps and liners on him, which he should, most horses at the track have lots of experience with wraps. While we walk I work to keep my reins soft and my seat very following. His gaits are so loose and forward that it would be easy to get a bit grabby with my hands. He still hasn't spooked once and I am working hard to not teach him to with my own reactions.
He isn't even phased by his friends playing next to the arena
After lots of trotting around (our steering needs some work) I decided to bump him up into the canter. It took a few tries as he thought showing off his fancy trot would be more fun. His extensions are going to be beyond amazing.
This is just his regular trot
When we finally made it into the canter he resembled a dolphin for a few strides and then holy woah, his canter felt incredible.
I was totally giggling, he is such a goof! The good canter though? I could feel his withers lifting with every stride and barely feel his feet touching the ground. He might be a magical unicorn.
My cheeks are going to get sore from all this smiling
After a few canters I started to lose his attention so I called it good for the day. Not only did he walk trot canter like a champ, he also figured out that standing still with a rider is fun too. Just in case y'all want to see more pictures check out all these screen shots I took.
Also, want that shirt
No worries here is the video too. I'm not even sorry for the intense media dump going on here, MOAR PICTURES!
