Walnuts keep fallin' on my head

First thing this morning we trimmed the black walnut branches hanging over the drive. They are a mess. I took a nut to the lip, so did Bob. Then, on to important things.

My goal was to ride Banjo today. I didn't want to have to box him in, so I just took my time approaching and retreating until I could slip the halter over his neck. In the arena, we worked on leading. Up to now, Banjo followed well behind instead of at my side. So I used my riding crop in the hand near the withers and the lead rope in the other hand. I clucked to start him. When he didn't get it, I counted 1-2-3-4 as I tapped on the withers, increasing until he moved just a step. Then several steps. Just like that, he got it and we were leading really well on the near side, and OK on the off side. I can tell he's never been led on the off side. When I got too far ahead, I just tapped once or twice on the withers and he caught up.

Saddling and bridling went well. We walked and walked with the bridle, adjusted the saddle and all seemed well. There was no chomping or head throwing.

I tried the trick of wiggling the saddle to get him to plant his feet for mounting, but when I did he danced off. I've noticed this before, but just ignored it. When he was relatively calm, I stepped into the stirrup and the saddle slid to the side. Even though I had the reins short he tore off bucking. I didn't have time to get off gracefully and went flying, no helmet. I took a hoof to my ankle, which developed a lump, and got scraped up pretty good. Note to self: don't ride wearing sleeveless tops.

Then it dawned on me. He is nervous about the saddle, just like Sparkler had been last summer. I remember my neice, Jessie, taking a stirrup and slapping her with it until she settled down. So I did the same with Banjo. He did not like the saddle moving, making noises or the stirrup hitting him. At first I had a hard time just moving to his side to even grab the stirrup, he'd move away so fast. I must have spent 20 minutes messing around with the saddle on both sides. Eventually, I could do anything with the saddle and he would stand.

He really is just green broke.