Reinin' in the Freight Train

Had a FABULOUS time last Wednesday. Started out by trying on a new Christmas gift - a sexy black cooler purchased via gift card, compliments of my brother. Whaaa...? The first time EVER a member of my oh-so-non-horsey family has set foot inside a true horsey store. This thing is made of some modern super-wicking material and comes with all the strappings. I chose a no-neck model for my fuzzy "sweater" and I must say he does look like quite the dapper breyer model in his new wardrobe. I'll remember my camera this week, I almost promise.

I got the chance to really try out the new threads, too. Hand-walked him down for 15 minutes or so after our ride with it on. When I pulled it off to let him roll (THE best reward for this guy after a solid ride), he was easily 90% dry. Chillin tied up in the arena during lunch accomplished the rest of the task.

Starting with a modeling session was a great groundwork exercise. Don't know if he'd ever worn such a thing, but he took to it like a good little curious puppy. Next came the hulla hoop. Swung it all around him, put it over his head and lunged him at the trot. Dropped it off every side of him and had him stand in it with every foot (not at once). His first response when I dropped it on the ground in front of him was to pick it up in his mouth and flop it up and down with his lips. Pretty classic Maximus.

Once mounted up we did some steady follow-the-leader at the trot. Max is always up for some of that. Set the pace and just march it out. He's got great rhythm. He has typically been the leader and took some work to maintain as a polite follower. He's got racing brain from our trail rides with Old Man Competative Bill.

Next was some canter work (finally!). I failed to mention that I chose to ride with my glorious little orange crop for the first time. Spurs are difficult to fit to Sorrels and riding without them, I've been very disappointed to see serious regression in his response to leg cues. Rather than repeat our typical 300 foot mad-dash-before-departure, upon my first ask I gave a solid crack to the rump (a loud but harmless startle effect). And we were OFF! And I mean off. Let him get a few strides out before asking him to come back and tried it again and again. Not once did I need to use the orange stick again, in fact. He still runs into it a stride, but I think it's more about confidence. Our very last try was much more elegant and controlled.

...Interesting to note that when I once lost my centre of balance for a moment, he too had to scramble a bit. Have to be more diligent about helping him out! Babies... too cute!