Two great 'students' at the field this morning to do some groundwork with Theoden and Petra. It was useful to go back to basics and to talk about the underlying concepts behind the techniques.
Petra is always a willing participant in long reining training and does exactly as she is asked. This is great for highlighting essential points such as being generous with the reins so that she can flow forwards and to keep your hands palms upwards on the reins so that you don't put a 'stop' in the reins.
Henrietta seemed to be very interested in everything that was happening.
Sharon got Petra exactly down the centre of the bridge - very nice work.
I managed to have a short session with Henrietta who is now allowing me to stroke her with a deep flat touch down her nose. Although the front end seems more convinced...
...her back legs were in another county.
In the afternoon, Highland Pony, Hamish proved to be a polite and responsive chap. His owner wants to start at the beginning with groundwork for all of her ponies which range from one to seven in age.
Hamish wins the competition for the best ears though.
Scooby needs his feet handling following warnings from the farrier that he thought he might kick. Time to get the feather duster out again and to teach him to keep his legs down first of all.
We finished the session with me running my hands down them and starting to ask him to pick them up with a clear signal but not holding them up at this stage.
(I asked David for an imaginative name for Today's Blog, blame him)
