Playing Chicken
He was awful. It probably didn’t help that he hadn’t been ridden in at least a week, it was overcast and chilly and the father-in-law was standing by the shop talking to someone. They both stood there looking at us, no horse ever behaves in front of an audience.
I tossed his rubber chicken to him a few times for a warm up. I got on, tossed him his chicken and he ignored it completely. He wanted to go. I’m sure he had somewhere in mind but where ever it was it wasn’t what I had in mind. Every time I tried to redirect him he did the head flung in the air wet noodle thing. I worked with him until I felt that I was going to die, dismounted and led him back to where I wanted to be then we tried again. Of course the guys stood there watching. I finally decided nothing was being accomplished and was getting a little grouchy so I called it quits when we found one good spot. Did some ground work and let him go.
I tossed his rubber chicken to him a few times and worked on picking up his feet on a voice cue as a warm up. Then got on and tossed him his chicken. He went for it with as much enthusiasm as any puppy. We played fetch for awhile then I asked him to walk out. When he did the wet noodle thing I offered him the chicken, he targeted it happily. I threw it in the direction I wanted to go and he dove for it. He stopped at an exhale and steered off my legs. No one was watching of course, that always helps. Things were good, I kept it short got off did some ground work and let him go.
Two days two completely different rides. You never know what tomorrow is going to bring.
A view of our “arena” as I wait for him to decide to come let me get on
doesn\’t that figure? Its always when someone is watching that they are bad!