Cole back into training

Well, last night, I decided I should work with Cole to advance us towards riding. I started out with the bridle. Up until now, he has been so obsessed with chewing and playing with the bit that he ignores me. I found a flash noseband in my pile of miscellaneous tack. It fit him. I only put it tight enough to keep him from opening his mouth more than ½ an inch. It did the trick. I led him about and practiced walk/whoa/ turn. He advanced very quickly and in the end, wasn’t much different than Cruiser.




I took the bridle off and put the saddle on. I decided we really need to tackle the lounging problem. He is now walking well on the lounge, but needs to improve his trot transitions and trot duration. I have been using clicker for this. It took a bit, but finally, he started to misbehave and dance about. I drove him forward for a few laps, and I could see the light bulb go off! He knew what I wanted. Of course, I clicked, and then we started up again. He was doing laps, and when he tried to slow down, I could speed him back up. I think he has got it—I just can’t wait 2 weeks before I do this again, like before.



Next step—preliminary mounting. I simply made him stand while I jumped up and down. I did it on both sides. He was fine. we have done this before. I then thought I would try to jump up and lean across the saddle. After all, he is only 14.2.



Alas, I am not as young as I used to be. He didn’t seem to mind me throwing my body into his side and slipping down. Next time, I will try it from the mounting block. By now, I was dripping in sweat from all the hopping and jumping. I put him back in his stall and took Cruiser out for a trail ride.