Have been riding ol Chainsaw at a little slower pace and doing more ground work with him. Got to talk to the gal who started him about a year ago today and she was very helpfull as to how he's acting.
Have worked with Chainsaw 2X on his trailer loading and now he's going right in with a very light ask. I did lounge him the other night and tho he was rusty with it I could tell he had been lounged in the past. He was stiffer going one way than the other but that should fade in time. Am planning on keeping after him with some light riding, and more flexing and ground work to get him to give to pressure and relax. He's great to stand to be saddled, stand for flyspray, and stands stock still when I'm getting on. It's the transitions from the trot to the lope that get a little hairy. Will be interesting to see if all that gets better when I do more ground work. So far we are both alive and in very good health and have high hopes to continue that trend.
I'm glad I was able to help! I've read through a lot of your blogs and agree that you should have his teeth looked at. I had mentioned to them last year that they might want to do that but I don't know if it was ever done or not. Also, I noticed that when I had one saddle on he would transition very well from the trot to the canter while he wouldn't do so well with another saddle. Check the fit! He's very "verbal" about tack that doesn't fit (or should I say physical?lol).
ReplyDeleteAs for the spurs, I never use spurs so that was definitely a new experience for him!
I'd personally start off with some good ground work to get respect from him since it's been a year since he's been worked with. I love what I've seen so far and am extremely happy that he has such a good, caring owner.