STEVIS MAN 2023 Feb 7 Lunge

I expected an easier day for Stevie. Most mornings are quiet and there would be less challenges - or would there? A rider showed up early this morning to ride their horse before work. This horse has a breathing issue that can be quite loud. It was windy and cold and consequently, Stevie was UP. Earlier in his training, I would have made the decision to do something else, but at this point, Stevie is ready for challenges. It might not be the training session of our dreams but we can still make progress.
Stevie starts out in rocket ship mode which is not a surprise. I try to calm/slow him with my voice but then must bring him in on a smaller circle to supple and slow him. It works so he begins to relax a bit. He vacillates between rocket ship and trotting horse but this is acceptable and normal. He is only able to contain himself for short periods. A good gallop would solve the problem, but it would not develop his ability to contain excess energy.
All in all, he’s not as relaxed as I’d like but under the circumstances, going to the left is a success. Now for the right direction….
From the start, Stevie tells me, “Not today.” Going to the right is harder when the environment is more challenging. He needs more focus to put himself together to the right because it’s his difficult side. Left-handed, I’m asking him to write with his right hand while dealing with a major distraction. I continue to ask him to buckle down and get to work. “I know you can do this Stevie.” He continues to resist. I understand I am going to have to ask far less to end on success under the circumstances. Stevie needs to know that whatever he does, I will not lose my patience. I know he can do this, so I continue to gently ask. My goal goes from Stevie trotting to the right with relaxation, using his topline to Stevie trotting to the right with a hopeful hit of relaxation while a horse canters around loudly. It’s a great challenge to Stevie but he manages to come through and we end with success. I can’t wait for our next training session!
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