Back from School

Ok, it's been almost two weeks since Cowboy has returned from a month of training. The first time out was exactly a week after returning. I was busy with equine affaire and got him a recommended bit (5"snaffle with 7"shank), a curb chain, and heavier reins, and a shorter blanket. Of course, any free time I had, the weather did not cooperate: cold and raining. So it was a week before I got him out to practice.

The first 15 minutes or so went fine...then he stopped listening. I was working on the trot, bumping him off when he tugged to the outside, and moved up to a lope a few times. I messed up somewhere. He kept taking a step, turning, stopping and backing up. So I wrestled with my patience to wait till he stopped pulling and stepped forward. But its like he forgot the direction signals. After about 45 minutes of , step, stop, turn, back up, wait, step forward, I lost my patience and cracked the whip while he backed up all over the place. I just wanted him to go round successfully before I put him up, and I was already late for work. FINALLY he did it, and I got him around twice and called it quits.

I was feeling stupid, defeated, mad at myself, and wondered if I was all the problem, or was he challenging the new rules at home. I tried to remember Scott's earlier assessment of who was higher on the frustration scale (most likely me, not Cowboy). I don't want the great month of training to go down the toilet because of me! I retrospect, maybe I was trying to do too much at once. I'm still getting the longe part worked out never mind the bumping. Maybe I should have focused on just the direction and forego the form for now.? Pressuring myself...

The next time out was yesterday-almost another week and when I came up with this blog idea to vent, track my experience and h0pefully get feedback. No training halter, just his bridle and the longe line that I hate. He was already distracted with Isaac and Christine nearby eating grass. He did take a few circles, so I kept it short. Moved to the bow. I wasn't prepared, and just ended up backing him up. I went back to get a lead rope, but wasn't sure how to loosely tie it so it would not get stuck on him. I'm still pretty klutzy on the maneuvering, and I've decided I hate my new reins. I did get him to bow three times, but I know my signal was not always clear, and then he started backing up for no reason. I walked him around to break it up, and got him to follow me a little, then he stopped listening. I got on him (yeah, I know, bad move...but I was feeling like a failure) and the new reins were so cumbersome and kept torquing the bit. It wasn't going well. I got off him before it got really bad. Not his fault. But I have to say I was pretty down on myself.

Again in retrospect, I'm rushing for MY sake. My ego keeps regressing to the 6 year old..."I'm never gonna get it," "I just want to RIDE him!" But I want to have some substantial improvements in our communication by the time the ride in May comes up. 4 weeks! I'm considering therapy for myself...