Getting better...

We worked a little before the rain came in this morning. He picked up to the right with no problem. I worked in that direction stopping and starting about 5 times...(more???) with positive reinforcements. Then tried left...again, the stopping game, but not quite as bad...he actually took some stepts in the correct direction so I was able to get him going easier than yesterday. but he was quick to stop. I dropped the neatness of the circle in favor of getting the directions. He ended up hopping over landscape timbers a few times, but we didn't struggle as much. At one point when he started pulling back, he actually raised up on his hind legs about a foot and a half (slowly, like he was waiting for the fall out). I pulled out the whip and made some noise to his right shoulder to get him to move out to the left. Again, some crowding as he moved toward my left shoulder rather than out to the left. Hmm....a few attitude kicks, and he settled in. I stopped him after a couple of good circles in both directions. Then I actually saddled him up. Its frustrating feeling like I'm starting all over again on directions. elbow up, out, give him a chance to respond to the signal before demanding it...yeah, I was heavier on my arms than my legs....(sorry Scott!) We've got a problem now with herd-bound behavior to contend with too. Cowboy loses his focus very easily when Isaac is screeching. Christine is working with him to keep him off the gate (he tore it down the other day...). Oh the DRAMA!