Breaking into a Canter

Nice weather made for a good ride on Chainsaw again last night.  He's getting lots better about almost everything.  We did some cantering last night with just a little "HiYo Silver" to start with but he did smooth out some after a few laps around the arena.  He's still not the best to line out, relax and carry his head where he's comfortable. The resistance is fading ride by ride tho as we become a team.  My wife brought out a stick and a balloon to introduce him to the first of many balloons he will see in his lifetime.  (Balloons are what we shoot at for targets in the mounted shooting)  He was very shy of the balloon to start but as time went by he became more and more comfortable with it. After letting him view the balloon on a stick in the arena, we kept riding and finished our ride.  At times I'd dismount, pull the balloon peg out of the stick and let Chainsaw follow me around while I banged the balloon on things.  After the ride when he was put up, he stayed at the stall wanting attention so I put the halter and lead on him, and took him out to graze around the arena while I had the balloon in hand.  Ended up with the balloon popping less than two feet from his nose and he didn't even spook which was a surprise.  More cantering in the future till he smooths out and will walk trot and run a straight line.  Then will be on to acclimation to gunfire.