Bud
Had another awesome drive with Bud today. Sue started out, but her hands were giving her a little trouble so I took over as we got into the desert area. We got him into a nice jog and I asked him to canter again twice. The first time he seemed unsure of what I wanted and the second time he rolled into it better, but he doesn't hold it very long, which is fine for now as I'd rather he slow down than take off. We may try for some more active trot-canter-trot transitions and this coming week I might get him on the long lines and see about tuning that up from the ground. Under saddle his canter is coming along, but there are more aids when I'm sitting on him.
As we swung back towards home I did a lot of wonderful bendy circles, turns, and direction changes around the terrain and we discussed maybe getting him out to a Darby or HDT in the coming year. The turns were smooth and I barely had to use the whip to ensure he stayed round and balanced through them. He is a pretty fun driving horse now and I hope I can get Kitt in the same state. Granted Sue's little cart is much smoother and quieter than the forecart, but you use what you have, right? I guess we have the wagonette, but it might be a bit big for Kitt and I don't have shafts that would fit her besides.
Anyway, Bud has come a long ways and I know I've said it a couple times already, but he's now the horse Sue was hoping to buy and I am actively enjoying my time with him. It's hard to believe he was such a pushy knucklehead at the beginning! We dragged tires around the neighborhood for about a hear before we hooked him tonthe cart again and all of that walking paid off. A year and a half ago I started riding him and he has come a long ways there too. He is still happier driving and that may never change, but he is definitely a more enjoyable ride than he used to be! I'm even playing with introducing the half pass at this point, which is exciting and fun (and makes me wish I could put the same time into my crew...).
Short version: Bud has gone from a pain to awesome in the last three and a half years.
As we swung back towards home I did a lot of wonderful bendy circles, turns, and direction changes around the terrain and we discussed maybe getting him out to a Darby or HDT in the coming year. The turns were smooth and I barely had to use the whip to ensure he stayed round and balanced through them. He is a pretty fun driving horse now and I hope I can get Kitt in the same state. Granted Sue's little cart is much smoother and quieter than the forecart, but you use what you have, right? I guess we have the wagonette, but it might be a bit big for Kitt and I don't have shafts that would fit her besides.
Anyway, Bud has come a long ways and I know I've said it a couple times already, but he's now the horse Sue was hoping to buy and I am actively enjoying my time with him. It's hard to believe he was such a pushy knucklehead at the beginning! We dragged tires around the neighborhood for about a hear before we hooked him tonthe cart again and all of that walking paid off. A year and a half ago I started riding him and he has come a long ways there too. He is still happier driving and that may never change, but he is definitely a more enjoyable ride than he used to be! I'm even playing with introducing the half pass at this point, which is exciting and fun (and makes me wish I could put the same time into my crew...).
Short version: Bud has gone from a pain to awesome in the last three and a half years.