I Think I'm Making Some Headway

These past two weeks have been great. I feel like I've come a long way with gaining some confidence. I tried things that were out of my comfort zone and it went well! My goal was to work Slim in the big arena. We worked for several weeks in the round pen and I really felt like he was listening and understanding. So I finally got the courage to try it in the big arena. I went about chores as usual, reassuring myself as I went that I should try this, he will do fine, stay relaxed & calm and he will too. I got all my stuff ready. Cleaned up his splint boots (as I really thought he might get a little squirrely), took my lunge whip out to the gate. I even open and closed the gate walked out and checked the footing. I made a couple mental notes of where the better part where and exactly where I'd be going once I got out there. When I had Slim ready to go and we started out of the barn I was a little nervious but felt a little better by doing my practice walk through. We got through the gate of the arena and he was looking around a little, but not nerviously. I closed the gate and we stood a second and I petting him, told myself to stay relaxed and we walked out to my designated spot. I pointed my arm in the direction I wanted him to walk off, said walk, and tapped him with my stick and string and off he went! Calmly and slowly just like he was in the round pen! Our circles we terrible as he wanted to walk and look at things but it wasn't anything spooky or out of control. We walked and trotted both directions and took a little walk down to the far end to check things out. I was so pleased with how he acted.

Several days passed and I kept telling myself I needed to get him back out there. He did so good I was afraid it was just a fluke and next time he'd be a terror! So Monday night I finally told myself he wasn't going to get any practice out there if I didn't take him back out. So for some reason I thought I should try saddling him up and working him. Its been a while since he had a saddle on his back and it might not hurt for him to get used to it again. He stood stock still the whole time we got ready. Again we donned the splint boots in worry of racing around at mock speed! I even got my old bridle out and put over top of his halter so he'd have that to get accustom to again. Mid way through getting him ready my hubby decides to grade our gravel driveway around the barn. He perked up a tad the first couple passes but didn't move around or anything. So I waited until he was down the driveway a ways away and we made our trek out to the big arena. Again a little looking around, nothing major. Pointed my arm in the direction, walk, and a little tap and he walked off. After a few circles hubby came back around with the tractor. He didn't even spook. I kept talking to him and tried to keep his attention. He was doing a wonderful wp trot. I didn't even have to really get after him to stay in it. So I thought what the heck we'll try a canter. He did his usual toss of the head as a tantrum because he doesn't want to work, but we did a few laps. He looked really good, I thought. We reversed and walk-trotted the other way and went for the canter too. He got a little more irritated and put some tiny crow hops. So I made him canter a little longer and trot several more laps as "punishment". Finished up and went back to the barn.

I was so proud of him. We just seemed to have really clicked these last few weeks. Hubby told me last night he's noticed a HUGE jump in my confidence and my attitude towards wanting to work with them. I haven't ridden since my 2 rides around the 4th of July, but I hope all this ground work will help me when I do get back on. Watching that saddle while I was lunging him last time really made me want to get on. But of course I chickened out! I'm thankful that my injuries haven't been horse related as I'm sure I'd have much more fear. I really hope I can continue on this path and continue to gain confidence.

So yeah for Slim. Years ago I would never have thought he'd be helping me in this way. He's always had a forever home, but now he truly does in my heart.