Back in the Saddle Again

Yesterday we made a trip to the cabin to try out our new kayak. I didn't want to let any more time lapse before working with Banjo, so early this morning, I went out to the barn. He had to wait while I groomed Gilly and Sparkler. I spent some time on both their manes--a thorough brushing and some trimming. When I got to Banjo's mane, it needed some detangler. Once again, it felt like he'd never seen a spray bottle. We went through the same routine as with the fly spray. Just holding the bottle on his back and making circles. Then shaking it, then spraying it. I did get the results but didn't feel he was completely comfortable with spraying. Good enough. Sigh. Off to the arena.

We worked a bit with sending him left and right into lunging. He only moves well to the left. Asking him to move right causes him to back up to no end. So it was back to the basics--moving the front quarters with one hand behind the front leg while leading the head away with the lead rope. Then once he got moving, I would make a chopping motion with my hand near his head. Pretty soon he was doing nice foot-over-foot pivots with a small amount of pressure. One thing I've learned with Banjo, you don't want to overdo the pressure. You rarely need to whack him to get him to move. If you do, you get too much reaction.

Then I went back to the sending routine. Face Banjo, point the right foot to 2:00, right hand and lead rope pointed to the right. Whirl the end of the lead rope toward the face using the left hand. He got it. It was as if a light bulb went off. I could see it in his eyes - he finally knew what I was asking. And he did it eagerly and willingly. Not full circles as I can with the left, but a few steps is enough for me.

As was the case last Wednesday, saddling and mounting was perfect. Groundwork really pays off. On the first lap, Banjo wanted to stop near the gate, but just a small amount of coaxing and he went willingly. On the second lap he refused to turn where I wanted him to but I kept insisting with several pull/releases on the rein and he accepted. That was it. The rest was perfect. circling the cones, serpentines, backing up between the cones. Only once did I ask him to do more than a walk. All I had to do was cluck (no kicking or squeezing) and he took off at a gait. Half a circle and he wanted to go back to a walk. I'm fine with this. Soooooo much better than last year's Banjo.