Side Reins? Exercise?

So side reins weren't exactly right in arms reach in the 15 minutes I had to work my horse (I didn't really want to ransack through K's stuff even though I did get permission). So bailing twine it was! I have to say, although we're both new at this, it worked pretty well. He gave in to the pressure pretty easily but that is probably my number one concern with it. It doesn't give the release I look for when he relaxes, but it was a recommended exercise soooo we did it! This was the first day:

The next day I had a little bit more time but I had already tied the twine so I just used it again but had changed it a bit so he could drop his head more. He really leaned into the noseband on his hackamore from Tiffany. He really responded to it really well and started to step into it rather than fall behind it. 

FORWARD! MARCH!

I ran into Kate before I had to rush off to work and she left her real side-reins out for me which did work a little better but still not as much give as I wanted. My phone died so I wasn't able to get video but he worked, walk, trot, canter. It was great because every time he went to pick up his head into his "freeze" or "shut down" position, he dropped it and pushed through. Yesterday I took advantage of the wind and the sleet and said, "LET'S GO WILD!" Which we did as I attached a quarter sheet to the saddle... HA... Quarter sheet my a$$... It became more like a cape but let me tell you, after buck after buck after donkey kick, he went straight to work. It's a start. I took it off for him to cool off... He got a day off today.

I really want to try a training fork or neck stretcher instead. K has a neck stretcher she offered me so I'm thinking I'll try that first, but it still looks like the side reins more force him into a head set instead of making him hold himself and work his core which is what I really need for him to do. Any thoughts?

Back to work? WHHAAATT?!

Ms. Pretty and I took a ride outside after working 3-4 days in a row and she was so good and supple, I decided to give her a couple of days off... Even though she really didn't need it. Today I strapped on her booties and we headed for the indoor in the snow. A few boarders were in there, two left right when I got on, which is what I'm used to. Supposedly it's a coincidence... Supposedly. Anywho! A new boarder (and new horse owner) was just finishing up lunging her gelding and we had an awesome ride together. I offered if she needed someone to brush or ride her pony while she was away that I would love to help and as always the response was, "I didn't think of that!" We finished our ride with a good long stretch and left as a trainer was walking in with another young horse, WEARING A ROPE HALTER! BAM! Victory... *sings* I know... Everyone does it... But now she can't look at me cross-eyed with my pony. Mwahahaha... I'm pathetic.

Chevy's "whatcha doin?" face... So nosey!