End to a 7 day week!

Ponies make everything better... That's all I really have to say about that. They'll try as much as you do and helping them find the answer may seem more difficult than telling them, but it's so much more effective.

I've been working Brantley with the saddle just because that's a step that he already excels at. I worked with stirrups yesterday so I substituted my hands and bumped him to move forward. It worked well and he relaxed right away.

I really tried to work on tossing the rope over his back not to desensitize him but to keep him moving forward and from shutting down with movement on his back. He jumped and yielded away from me a few times both directions but not as much as before when he popped up and bolted. Anytime he started to shut down a moved towards his shoulder and bumped him with the back of my hand like my leg would if I were on him. Timing is everything so I worked really hard to watch him and when he relaxed, pull the rope away and walk forward. He's becoming lighter and lighter on the rope which I'm really happy about.

Backing up was a huge part of the weekend and getting the horses to relax but I didn't want to overdue it. As soon as he relaxed his neck and backed with a diagonal, I released and walked him forward. He licked and chewed and yawned. You look for a release in the neck, then the diagonal, then picking up at the knees and using their back, then at last you look for straightness... I think that's the order. He follows my hand and my direction so the last part we've got. I'm still looking for more of a release in his neck. He drops his head and brings his nose in but he braces instead. It's the timing - I know I do it right when I release and he walks forward right away rather than standing there going "ummm... what?"

After walking him out again I took him over to the mounting block and rubbed him down from his shoulder and back. Brent recommended to not just using our arms and hands but our legs too. He tried to disengage and move away from the pressure but the more I did it, the better he got at standing and relaxing. He chewed while I threw the rope over his back and he didn't even raise his head. The only thing that freaked him out was my leg.

We ended on a good note and walked forward. Day off tomorrow! Interview for me... and I think 7 days deserves a day off.