Today I noticed how loose Kai was. Esther’s massage was still having an effect!
From the start I brought him inside and checked him all over before starting our session. I did some porcupine game, slowly building up the number of steps he can pivot without moving. So far he can do a nearly full circle both ways on the HQ yields and about a quarter of a circle on the FQ yields.
We then did some yoyo game which was very nice and light before asking him to go in the circle. I waited for him to connect for three steps and then I brought him in to rest. He licked and chewed and I sent him in the other direction. I waited for him to connect and then I turned with him asking him to stay bent to the inside and stay connected for half a circle. I then invited Kai in and showered him with praise. I gave him a big rest and then asked him to go on a circle the other way.
This time when he connected I asked him to hold it for a full circle. I brought him in just a moment before he would have disconnected. Kai has never stayed connected for a full circle before! I was so happy with him. I then put him on the wall and tested my sideways game ''breaks''.
Next I tacked him up and asked him to jump a barrel once in each direction. As he seemed to be able to jump comfortably with the bareback pad on and he put effort in jumping I brought him in and let him rest while I put the barrel back in the corner.
I then mounted up and asked him for lateral flexion. I then asked him to walk on the rail listening to my body. Kai was ignoring my body so I reinforced it with my carrot stick. Kai still has the issue of feeling offended when I use my stick. As we were walking I asked him to cut across the middle of the arena and he completely ignored me and continued to drift. I asked him with the stick for two steps and then I bumped him on the nose. Kai responded by turning and jumping forward. I brought him to the middle and asked him for yields until he was light and responsive to the carrot stick. I then asked him to trot on the rail until he relaxed. After that I dismounted and untacked him. He was not sweaty so I simply ran my curry comb over him and did his feet before putting him back. Overall I was very happy with this session.
From the start I brought him inside and checked him all over before starting our session. I did some porcupine game, slowly building up the number of steps he can pivot without moving. So far he can do a nearly full circle both ways on the HQ yields and about a quarter of a circle on the FQ yields.
We then did some yoyo game which was very nice and light before asking him to go in the circle. I waited for him to connect for three steps and then I brought him in to rest. He licked and chewed and I sent him in the other direction. I waited for him to connect and then I turned with him asking him to stay bent to the inside and stay connected for half a circle. I then invited Kai in and showered him with praise. I gave him a big rest and then asked him to go on a circle the other way.
This time when he connected I asked him to hold it for a full circle. I brought him in just a moment before he would have disconnected. Kai has never stayed connected for a full circle before! I was so happy with him. I then put him on the wall and tested my sideways game ''breaks''.
Next I tacked him up and asked him to jump a barrel once in each direction. As he seemed to be able to jump comfortably with the bareback pad on and he put effort in jumping I brought him in and let him rest while I put the barrel back in the corner.
I then mounted up and asked him for lateral flexion. I then asked him to walk on the rail listening to my body. Kai was ignoring my body so I reinforced it with my carrot stick. Kai still has the issue of feeling offended when I use my stick. As we were walking I asked him to cut across the middle of the arena and he completely ignored me and continued to drift. I asked him with the stick for two steps and then I bumped him on the nose. Kai responded by turning and jumping forward. I brought him to the middle and asked him for yields until he was light and responsive to the carrot stick. I then asked him to trot on the rail until he relaxed. After that I dismounted and untacked him. He was not sweaty so I simply ran my curry comb over him and did his feet before putting him back. Overall I was very happy with this session.
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