Today I tacked Kai up and brought him to the indoor to do some pre ride checks. Tru was tied in the corner and I was proud of how Kai paid very little attention to her and was connected to me. Kai and I were playing with flying lead change prep at the trot at the opposite end of the arena to where Tru was. I playfully tagged Kai when he didn't do a good canter transition and Tru had a bit of a freak out. She was pulling back as hard as she could and she had a small panic attack. What was really neat was that Kai barely even flinched. I was happy to see that even though Tru pulled the tie out of the wall, Kai stayed put for me. This is what I would have wanted him to do if I was riding. It is good for him to practice staying calm even if another horse is not. Kai ground tied like a champ while I tied Tru back in the corner.
I played some more with Kai and we got some good canter transitions on a small circle. I then somehow felt that Kai needed a massage today. So I untacked him and did the bladder meridian and some leg work. Kai licked and chewed a lot and he yawned at the end. I then let him loose in the outdoor so that he could play a little and enjoy the spring weather. Kai was doing very funny kicks and bucks and he was having a wonderful time running around.
Next I tacked him up again and did some pre ride checks. Kai offered soft flexion right away and off we went. I decided to canter and we had the best time because he was cantering in balance without help. I rode him around without using the reins at all. I then found the confidence to take the halter off and ride bridleless for the first time.
Kai was not offended by the stick and he was soft and responsive so we cantered bridleless for the first time ever. It was so much fun! Kai was getting a little tired from so much cantering so I cooled him out and then I decided to stand on him. I really wanted to stand on him for a while but it was too cold to take my boots and socks off.
Kai was perfectly still, while I was shakily standing up.
I gave him some molasses for being so amazing when I put him back in the paddock.
I played some more with Kai and we got some good canter transitions on a small circle. I then somehow felt that Kai needed a massage today. So I untacked him and did the bladder meridian and some leg work. Kai licked and chewed a lot and he yawned at the end. I then let him loose in the outdoor so that he could play a little and enjoy the spring weather. Kai was doing very funny kicks and bucks and he was having a wonderful time running around.
Next I tacked him up again and did some pre ride checks. Kai offered soft flexion right away and off we went. I decided to canter and we had the best time because he was cantering in balance without help. I rode him around without using the reins at all. I then found the confidence to take the halter off and ride bridleless for the first time.
Kai was not offended by the stick and he was soft and responsive so we cantered bridleless for the first time ever. It was so much fun! Kai was getting a little tired from so much cantering so I cooled him out and then I decided to stand on him. I really wanted to stand on him for a while but it was too cold to take my boots and socks off.
Kai was perfectly still, while I was shakily standing up.
I gave him some molasses for being so amazing when I put him back in the paddock.