FIFTH DAY OF CLASS

Photo A As with the other lessons, I start with familiar reviews. I spend time petting and hugging Fritz while working on getting him more relaxed about me totally controling his head. Head control is only gained when the horse trusts you and feels safe.

Photo B I check to see where Fritz is at with his emotional control as I work the rope over his entire body, again concentrating on his head. He has come so far from the first lesson, it is amazing to see how comfortable he is becoming.

Photo C I now add some more stimulus to encourage further emotional control. While he is standing, I throw the rope over his back and then pull it over him from the opposite side. Fritz takes this in stride and calmly waits while I proceed.

Photo D I throw the rope from various angles, pulling it from behind and in front and from both sides. When this is good, I encourage Fritz to follow me while the rope drags along behind. He soon learns to accept it dragging and even touching his legs as he turns.

Photo E Now for more bridle work. You can never do too much. Fritz starts out pulling fairly hard as he searchs for the release. I do not concern myself too much with this for he will eventually be soft right from the start.

Photo F I do many repetitions until he can move off without taking the slack out of the rein. He is learning to not pull and to soften his neck and body in response to pressure. This work, done from the ground, will transfer into the saddle and keep me safer when I start riding him.

Photo G It is a great feeling to have him stop with slack in the rein and wait for me to release before taking his head back forward. This is lesson #5 and we have done many repetitions to get him to this place. It will take many more to get him truly conditioned to respond without hesitation every time I touch the rein.

Photo H To test how well he has learned to respond, I will add something that may spook him. I am not trying to scare him but if it does, I can see if he knows the lesson well enough to respond to the bridle even when he gets scared. Any horse is easy to ride if they are calm and quiet. But I need to know that he will be controllable when things are happening around him that are frightening. Fritz responds well and we soon finish with the tests.

Photo I We end the session with more work on his head and neck. I hang on him and squeeze him to let him know that all is well. I have enjoyed the session and again feel that we are making great progress towards the day when I will saddle and ride him. But, until that day arrives, I say good-bye and let him return to his pasture.