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Hard work

Since the last time I posted, Deuce has gotten a lot better! I started trotting him on the longlines and this is actually getting challenging for him because he has to control his body a lot more. On the lounge he likes to throw out his hind end but on the long lines this is easy to prevent and he got pretty mad about that at first. I've attached a video of him which shows him being pretty well behaved after I had a few fights with him. I've never taught a baby how to long line before, but I think we are both learning a lot together. In the past I've long lined him mostly at the walk and in figure eights so he gets used to the reins leading him where to go. This weekend was the first time I asked him to trot nicely around me while keeping some rein contact. Thanks to my friend John who is visiting this weekend, I was able to get this video and a bunch of really nice pictures!

Long lining

I've started long lining Deuce and he is being very smart about it! He is starting to understand the concept, but the coolest part is that he is being very sensible, even with all of the tack on him. I started out in the round pen last weekend and he walked, trotted, halted and backed. This week I did a little more round pen work but this weekend I longlined him in the arena and in te field. He is of course a little more hesitant without the security of the rail, but he is starting to learn what the reins mean. He was expecially good today considering that he has not been outside for the past two days due to weather.


Here's a picture I took today, it's not the greatest but you can tell how big he has gotten.

He was bored!

Some professional trainers came out to the barn this weekend to give lessons and I got to ask them some questions about training Deuce. He's good on the lunge but sometimes he acts up and tries to play games. They said that it was because he was bored! I guess he just thinks longing is too easy and wants another challenge. So.......I started long lining him! He can walk, trot, halt and back now with the long lines. He's so smart!

I've started out just in the round pen, but when he masters that I will try steering him in the large arena where he won't have the support of the walls. I kind of feel bad that I was boring him but at least I know now he is ready to move forward. I didn't want to start any major training too early but I'm more confident after this weekend that he is ready for it.

Growing Pains

I haven't posted in a while I know. The weather has not been as nice and I've been going out to the barn only on weekends recently. This past weekend Deuce was being naughty on the longe. He kept trying to switch directions and run around me like crazy. I was getting after him, obviously, then he tripped and fell down and was limping for a little bit. I felt bad for him, but I was kind of glad he had a fall because Ifigured he would realize his naughtiness wasn't getting im anywhere.

Well I went out again this evening and it must have worked because he was great on the longe. I didn't push him too hard in case he was still a little sore, but if he was it was not affecting his movement at all. Hopefully he will continue his good behavior because I really want to start long lining him soon.

I'll post a new picture soon....he's getting big!