October 5, 2014

Cammie came and groomed, saddled, ground worked and rode Magic. Magic likes Cammie a lot but it seemed like today he would ignore her cues and requests just to see if she would 20141005_crWalkmake him do it. I encouraged her to insist and he would respond. One time she asked for a trot and Magic just kept on walking. I handed her a whip and he responded when cued for a trot with no application of the whip. Cammie is riding without stirrups till she gets her seat. She is doing good but the whip would tap occasionally at the trot. So it was a situation when she wanted to transition down from a trot but Magic felt the whip and kept up the trot with a more energy. At this time we are riding in a round pen so there is a little more restriction than the wide open spaces. It was not dangerous, just a little uncomfortable. I told Cammie to drop the whip which she did. Then Magic was not getting conflicting cues and he dropped20141005_crTrot to a walk just like Cammie asked. It was a good experience. There is a lot to learn and I like to do it just a little at a time not all at once. Cammie seems to have good balance, good posture and her hands are improving. The pictures look real good to me. Cammie dismounted all by herself, led Magic to the barn, took off the girth and saddle and bridle.  It was a good day.