Rode Soldier today and to say we had a bad day would be an understatement! We both struggled with our activity today. Although, it is important to understand that sometimes a bad day leads to a breakthrough.
I changed him from a hackamore to a sidepull. A sidepull has more of the same action as a snaffle bit (more direct rein than indirect rein), and that is our ultimate goal. To back up a few days, the first time I attempted to get a bit in his mouth, ol' Soldier blew up, so rather than have a fight...I used what he would tolerate.
Today I worked him on releasing to pressure. I would ask him to bend his neck and as soon as he "gave" to the pressure, I would release the pressure. This was most of the ride today. Soldier has a lot of resistance because he doesn't trust me yet and is in a constant state of protecting himself. Time and patience will break down those barriers. Take the time it takes now....it won't take as much time later.
I changed him from a hackamore to a sidepull. A sidepull has more of the same action as a snaffle bit (more direct rein than indirect rein), and that is our ultimate goal. To back up a few days, the first time I attempted to get a bit in his mouth, ol' Soldier blew up, so rather than have a fight...I used what he would tolerate.
Today I worked him on releasing to pressure. I would ask him to bend his neck and as soon as he "gave" to the pressure, I would release the pressure. This was most of the ride today. Soldier has a lot of resistance because he doesn't trust me yet and is in a constant state of protecting himself. Time and patience will break down those barriers. Take the time it takes now....it won't take as much time later.
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