I rode Magic this morning. It’s been a long time. I have been on a bird hunting trip to Montana. Magic is a good horse. Even though he has not been ridden in a long time, I noticed improvement. Maybe he had a good time on the last trail ride. A specific improvement I noticed was that he left the barn willingly at a good walk and going directly where I directed him. Green horses often check with each stride to see if you might want to go back to the barn. They veer to the left, then the right and then back to the left again requiring to be checked and urged forward constantly for the first few hundred yards. We rode up to the little bench just below the Pitkin Limestone outcrop on Pinnacle Mountain, maybe a mile out and a mile back. Magic rode forward the whole way. It was a joy. We cantered through the Ash pasture on the way back.
I have been thinking about the trail ride Magic and I took with Peggy and April and Tommy and Wanda. Magic did good on his first trail ride. There were two things that I keep thinking about. Sometimes Magic followed too close and he pushed Peggy with his nose when she held him when I moved the trailer. I overlook these little rude misbehaviors when I am alone but it bothers me when it happens around other people. After thinking about it I realize that I have a problem. I allow him to push me and I just accept it but when he pushed Peggy, I found that unacceptable. He would not have pushed Peggy if I did not allow him to push me. (He was nervous but that is no excuse.) One of the reasons gentle training appeals to me is because I have undesirable results when I am strict and utilize negative discipline. A heavy hand does not work for me. I am not saying it is never effective but it is not effective for me. My relationship with the animal is diminished if I use a heavy hand. So I pick my battles carefully. I have overlooked nose pushing after a ride, moving around when I tighten the girth and moving around when I mount. Some horses stand quietly while I groom and tack up. Magic is not one of them. I have talked with Paul Roten about teaching me some of the methods he uses training horses. Paul might help me overcome this problem. A solution to this problem might give me some insight to limitations I have as a rider.
I thought Magic was great on his first time out and just a year off the track!! I know what you mean about over looking things they do when working around them alone or at home. But when out with others I look at my horse and think…what is he doing? If Clint Anderson were watching he’d be over here giving me a lecture…ha
I have found ground work so valuable when working with a horse and Paul is a master. He uses something from all the clinics and big time guys that he has seen and can pull from all his experience finding what would work best for your individual horse. When I get a new horse and with my old horses I use ground work to correct a lot of stuff. Move their feet.. Clint Anderson says as well as John Lyons.
Magic may think he is supposed to pass everyone…win the race. Close the gap and get ahead!!! What a different mindset he must now try and learn. I’m sure he will be a good one after a couple thousand miles. Red has 14,000 miles or so and still gets too close when excited. Loves to be in the front. Moves around when everyone else is stopped. He just likes to go!!!
Sounds like Magic is enjoying getting out of the pasture on your trail ride trips.
I think you two are having fun…