Exploring

Tucker and I took our first little trip out together.  The past few days we have been preparing.  Working on becoming more comfortable with the saddle, rider, and direction from the rider.  Rode in a halter and practiced flexing to a stop at the walk and trot in an enclosed area.  He seemed bored and generally doesn't seem to like the repetitive work of circles.

Today we went a few hundred yards from the house and returned, and then headed out again, gradually increasing the distance from "home base" that was familiar and safe to him.  A pigeon flew out of a hay stack and he just looked at it, then the dog jumped out from behind the hay stack right after the pigeon flew by, and he gave a little spook in place jump.  I was somewhat expecting it because he felt sorta tight and was aware of everything.  We walked by several obstacles that he took in, but wasn't afraid of.

Things were going well, so we headed out in the neighbors plowed field.  Once we were about 1/2 mile from home he thought it would be a great idea to trot and have fun.  I wanted to keep things slow and easy for today.  He tried to trot a few times home also.  I bent him to a stop each time to let him know I hadn't asked for a trot and we don't rush home.

He likes his new little s hackamore.  The bit I tried a few days ago was too narrow for him and he fussed with it a lot, so put the halter back on for that session.  I couldn't believe how light and how he walked in such a straight line out of the area.  He wanted to explore! haha. When in the arena he wants to fuss around and weaves all over.