kaboom

[Emily C]

Congrats Karen, good work!!!

[Becca]

woohooo thats excellent!! go kaboom & karen!

[relaxen2]

back to the arena tonite-first time in a couple of days i've had the opportunity.we were by ourselves which was the first challenge,but he handles it like a pro.we played around and did some lungeing and stuff.he was good,but there was alot of stuff going on in and around the arena(cutting trees,rocks thrown off into the woods,etc.although he wasn't nervous,he was not concentrating really well.so i decided to just lay across him(instead of putting ourselves in a bad situation)he was really good and made a full circle around the arena.going to actually ride him tomorrow night if the weather holds up........

[whudson]

Sounds like you are doing a really nice job of taking things slow. Baby steps work well and get off while things are still going great !

[relaxen2]

another successful night!played with him for awhile and then mounted up!rode around the arena a couple of times,just a direct rein every now and then but for the most part i just let him walk around.at the end,we just stood in the middle of the ring and relaxed.he was great-calm,ears turned around listening to me,pulling his head around to smell my boots.i was on him about 10 mins.after awhile of just standing still,i dismounted and called it a night!btw,he is still dropping each time i mount???

[Emily C]

Maybe he really likes going for a little ride? LOL.

[whudson]

Dropping is a sign of relaxation ;D Take it as a compliment

[aks]

Karen thats awesome!!!
I think the way your going with him is perfect!!
You guys are a great team:) as much as i hear about him, i have yet to see him stressed ha So he deff has a clam horse in there somewhere!! And i think your the perfect person to bring that out

[relaxen2]

thanks guys.yes,allison,he does have that calmness lurking somewhere in him,just have to make sure it stays there when he's being ridden!as some people can attest to,when he's not at home,he is a fire breathing dragon-snorting and prancing about.hard to believe it's the same guy i had at southern/embarr last year.

[relaxen2]

another small step tonight!took him to the arena and mounted him after a few minutes of "checking him out"to see what kind of mood he was in.rode him for a minute and got off at the other end of the arena.mounted again and rode for another few minutes,walked him through the pasture and out the gate! we started home and he was a bit wary,but doing okay,so i stayed on.halfway home,someone started a table saw in the open garage,,his head went straight up and he pranced for a second,pulled him around into a stop and got off.i know it sounds like it ended badly,but i don't feel that way at all.i was very glad that he responded to the rein,turned well and then stopped.gave me the chance to practice my one rein stop.and he gave me the chance to slide off.all in all,i was very pleased with the way he spooked,and the way i was able to respond.i didn't get back on as it was pretty well dark by then.further down the road 2 dogs came out of a driveway barking and surrounded us.he stood still and i shooed them away.then we calmly went home and called it a night(he got lots of scratches when the saddle came off).very proud of the way he handled himself tonight.

[whudson]

That is great Karen...and I think you did right by getting off. Keep yourself safe first. (your horse doesn't know when you were planning to get off) Great that he responded to the one rein stop !!! Good job...sounds like you are doing perfect!!

[relaxen2]

another ride this evening.short and sweet,but to the point!!

[Emily C]

Yay Karen! Sound slike you guys are doing super.