2007-2010 April 11th

April 11, 2009

Courtney came out at 2:00 today, so we got a chance to do some groundwork with both of the boys beforehand.  Phoenix did fantastic with backing after Lungeing for Respect - Stage 1 and Yielding the Hindquarters - Stage 2.  Onyx did really good with LFR-1 - he was very light on the halter.  After trims and grooming I rode both horses bareback up and down the driveway.  Phee was first and while he was a little slow going away, he didn't stop once and didn't fight me on the way back.  I had to do a lot of flexing and One Rein Stops with Onyx, but he finally got the idea on the way back and even did some yielding to leg cues.

April 11, 2010

Finally a beautiful day so we turned the boys out in the roundpen for most of the day.  I did all the basic groundwork with Onyx, then rode him bareback down the road.  He was doing good until 2 carriages and 4 Friesians came at us, so I got off just to be safe.  We followed them home, then I got back on Onyx and went out again.  I held them both for an hour while they grazed on the front lawn and had to do some desensitizing with Phee and the lawn chair I folded up while I was packing up!