Do you have treats in your jacket?

Claudia was very late so we had a long time to warm up before the evening kiddie lessons started at 4.

I tried an experiment with Mag. If I give him a hard look and ask with line pressure to drop his head on the lunge, and  when he responds by dropping his head, I will immediately look away, at the ground, and blink and consciously relax my shoulders.

Is it possible to teach him? Yes. Isn't it amazing that horses know what we are doing with our EYES at all times? What an important thing to realize, and learn from and apply. He got a kick out of it, I think, "I can make her look away and relax and blink, just by dropping my head."

I didn't know what he'd throw at me today - so always with the gloves - and aside from a very rambuncious canter transition, he was fine. Aside from the spookiness, cuz someone had left a horse blanket on the bench in the arena and he was unable to escape its deadly grasp.

I used this spookiness to get more activity in his trot and he actually had dampness under his girth today, again, wow, my horse broke a miniature sweat.

He's improving in the canter transitions so much, we do 3 or 4 per direction per day, and he doesn't have to stay cantering, I just want to be sure he knows the cue, and that nothing bad will happen (I am especially careful to let him have his head after I ask, even if I have to run to keep up).

I'm sure I look like an idiot sometimes, running around with my horse, but praising him like crazy for exerting energy that he likes to save.

Finally Claudia arrived and since she's never helped me before, I said I'd like it if she could think about some pattern exercises we could do, to improve Mag's balance and concentration and to reassure my wandering mind.

She immediately set up 8 cones in a line in the middle of the arena, a slalom course. And then four poles in one corner. I don't know her, and I was a little worried but she was just perfect. She checked in with me about my comfort level, and let me pause or talk when I needed. We did the slalom and then a variation of it with circles and it was great, Mag got better and better each time, and she insisted that after each pass, we stop and rub and praise him. Mag was like, "I've never been told I'm so great for so little!"

Horses kept passing by and we didn't have his full attention but he came back to us each time, and then she did what I would have done, she stopped accompanying him so much and let me move around her in patterns so he had to listen to me.

He really wanted to keep his nose against her shoulder and at one point he started nickering inappropriately at her (WTH!) and I scolded him, "Don't talk (to humans as if they're mates!)!"

She admitted she had treats in her pockets. Oh course. Cuz everyone here does!

She was so nice and we worked to a very good stopping point where both the poles and the slalom were getting easier, and then quit and he got all the praise two people could offer.

She said next time we should try the outdoor arena, and also she'd accompany me on foot for a neighborhood walk. I said, "Well actually I think I'm up for that!" Not today, but maybe tomorrow.

I know this is tedious but this is my training log with Mag so I must blog it for my records.

As we arrived back at the barn some lady said, "So, success at riding your horse?" I said, "I wouldn't call it riding, but yes, it's improving. And next time, I'll buy a trained horse!"

I think there are people who thrive on breaking in young horses, but those are probably people who like to raise foals or buy yearlings. I have never liked foals very much, just like I've never wanted to own a puppy. Too much work when you can just buy them older.

I still feel like I might fail at this, but I've come to terms with it. If this doesn't work out, it's OK.

But my plan, my expertly concocted training plan, is going exactly as I'd hoped. Due to the generosity of others. And who needs professional trainers, when one has the right environment and the right people? I think I've got what I need.

Mag had a long day with me, again, damp girth area to prove, but before we left the arena, Nina arrived on her shiny black horse and got on and sat on her talking to Claudia and Mag was, "Oh, NEW FRIEND!" and his happy face came back and I let him take one step closer. Then it was back to his paddock, and on a very good note. I love it whenever he realizes other horses have jobs too. It seems to make a big impression on him.

Or I'm just anthropomorphising again.

I should add one thing - I met another lady named Angela (like Merkel, I can remember that, I said). She held Mag for me as I sprinted around the arena cleaning up poop. How nice of her. I asked her to show me her horse and then I realized she was another lease person cuz I already knew the owner of that horse. How confusing when each horse has two or even three people! Anyway Mag was nuzzling her and I said, "Do you happen to have treats in your jacket?" "Yes." Well, Mag stop it! She said, "Oh no worries, he's so sweet, he isn't pushing me like some horses do, he's very gentle."

OK but it seems like Mag has temptation to be mouthy/nosy at every turn around here!

Tired from another long day at the barn, and another one to begin tomorrow. This is the best time so far for me, in my life here, to be unemployed.

Update - I forgot to say, Jasmin pulled out a hoof stand and trimmed Moritz's hooves today, herself! Wow, I had no idea kids do it too.