Real-Life Training Difference

[BlackOak2]

Ah, okay, I misunderstood and read shank where your wrote port.

I actually decided to try something different with her the other day - usually I ask for the connection starting with tighter reins. Now that she knows that I want connection and forward and down I decided to "throw the reins away" and see how she reacted. She did exactly what I'd hoped and dropped her head trying to find where my hands had gone. We've still got a long way to go but she's such a hard worker.

And our show ended up getting cancelled due to excessive heat. It was 108F before heat index.

Shame about the show though. But it certainly wasn't safe for anybody, let alone the horses. Next time. Plus it gives you more time to practice.

It is great working with a horse that wants to work and wants to learn and try hard. Entirely different experience from one that doesn't.