Time flies

Wow, how is it already Friday again?  I guess I should chat a bit more about last weekend before I get more media this weekend!

Can I just canter him all day?

So I hauled Slider on his first little field trip and he was great.  I had his saddle and boots already on in the trailer so I put his bridle over my shoulder, my helmet on my head and unloaded him.  He was just a bit nervous, but not whinnying or spooking or anything like that.  I led him around the arena for a few minutes and then climbed on.  

He thought the pictures should be of only him and not me

Do you know I'm up here Slider?

Aimee did hold him at the mounting block and lead him a few steps and then we were on our own.  You guys, he was tense, but otherwise perfect.  We walked all around for several minutes and worked on steering and not jigging sideways.  

Here and there

As you can see the actual arena has no fence, but there is perimeter fence about 15 feet away from the arena.  I thought this would be a good challenge, and he never left the arena, yay!

Even walking over poles

He finally took some deep breaths and licked and chewed so I decided we should try out the trot.  The moment we picked it up he relaxed even more!  We trotted all around and over the poles and I didn't feel a moment of nervousness from him (or myself).

No fence, no problems

When I decided to pick up the canter he was somewhat confused. So I decided to get up off his back like on the track and let him cruise at the trot and eventually into the canter.  OMG! He finally gave to the bit when I did that!  Don't ask why it took so long for me to try, I don't have a good answer.

Fancy horse

I have done that for a few rides now and he is starting to realize he can give even when I'm posting!  When we did pick up the canter he was so good.  Never once did he try to speed up and only once did he act sassy.  It was so minor I can't even call it bad, just sassy.

Hind end working like no big deal

After going both ways in the canter we came back down to the walk and he was 100% relaxed, even happy to stand still.

Would look classier if he hadn't decided to poop

I got off, loaded him back in the trailer and headed home where he got a bath and some hand grazing.  He is a champion.

I also rode Prisoner that day and his dressage is really coming along.  I think he relaxes a little more every day that we don't jump.

Reach Prisoner reach!

Here is a short video with both the boys 

Some clips of Prisoner and Slider being great!

Then if you are really bored you can watch this longer video of Slider

Such a good boy, you can see him relax throughout!

Tip: Skip the first couple minutes to skip the walking.

And that my friends is how to have a great weekend!