Yesterday I went to the barn to practice what Steve Edwards taught Reliance and I. Reliance offered NO resistance to entering the barn today! Hooray!! I brought him into the indoor arena and lead him around a bit. Then I asked Reliance to stand ground tied. He did so-so. I spent about 10 minutes working on correcting his looking all about. This was our main focus…not looking to the left or right, but keeping his attention focused on me.
Next, I brought the saddle pad over and bumped it all over his body on both sides. The accepted this without moving his feet. Then I introduced the saddle. I was still a bit clumbsy in my approach, but it will get better I am sure with practice. Reliance kept turning to face me, thus evading my approaching his side. Bump…Bump…Bump on the come-along hitch. On the second approach, he stood pretty still (only tiny baby-step foot movements) and allowed me to place the saddle on his back. He stood great for all my adjusting. I opted not to place the martingale on because I did not have sole use of the arena.
I moved him around the arena at a walk and trot with the rope halter. No problem. He even walked through the trust candles all tacked up with only mild resistance. Reliance stood ground tied while I un-tacked him. I put him back out to pasture, very satisfied!
