Good buddies

I've put in extra hours this week so I took off work a little early and saddled Sparkler. Banjo hung around watching. When I took her to the arena, Banjo went bezerk being separated from her, so I opened the arena door wide so he could see her.

Sparkler was pretty calm, but the same thing happened when I mounted her as a few days ago. The bucking thing is getting worse. I'm not gonna push it until I know what's wrong, so I let her go.

Banjo IS hard to catch. He stays just far enough away that you can't get a rope around him. I had to pen him in to get the halter on, but once I did, he was no trouble at all, leading easily. I tried some ground work, but I think I'm confusing him, except for backing up. That is getting good after just 2 lessons. I wave my finger, then wriggle the rope if he doesn't move and he's in reverse.

Sally thinks his problem on Wednesday was the bit. He's used to a shank bit and even though a snaffle is mild, it is different. I do have a shank bit that I'll try later. I thought I'd try Sparkler's snaffle again 'cuz I was too lazy to put the shank bit on the headstall. I had the same headshaking problem. I can't ride either horse (self-pity).