8-23-11 Ride

Chainsaw gets better every day.  Rode him last night (8-23) in the sidepull hack and he is doing better than ever.  His upward transitions were much smoother, esp going from a trot to a canter.  He seems to flow now when he's going into his canter.  Guess I better have his teeth looked at, maybe the bit was hurting his mouth.  He even is starting to back when asked.  It's probably a combination of settling into his new digs and being ridden, as this was his 13th ride.  Thanks to my wife for giving me the idea of putting him in the sidepull hack, it seems to make a huge difference.  Chainsaw is getting legged up some too.  When we went back to the barn to take the saddle off last night he was still blowing a little.  Am thinking the next few weeks will be the meat of his training, with slow but steady progress on his leg cues, backing, etc.  Will probably start working more with the balloons and maybe some gunfire too.  He's accepting his ears being rubbed inside and out so earplugs will be coming soon.