Little Movements Go A Long Way

[Sam]

Horse: Tempered Passion
Trainer: Sam Lettington
Purpose: First ride


The young yearling fought against me as I placed the tack on him like practiced time. I had taught this colt how to accept the halter, lead with manners, trailer without much of a fuss, stand tied, accept the saddle and it's girth, accept the bit, and stand for weight on his back. Now all was needed was for me to get onto his back and teach him the rest. The dark bay colt disagreed with me completely.

He was dressed in the adjustable training bridle and saddle so that if he decided it was too much for him, he wouldn't destroy a new bridle or saddle. He danced away from me as I held tight to the bit, sensing something new was going on.

Finally he settled down. I stood next to him, gently stroking his neck and shoulder. I cooed to him gently, praising him. Such a good boy, I said as I played with his stirrups to let him know I was messing with the saddle and then double check his girth. Last thing I wanted as to be under his belly for his first ride. I lead him over to the mounting block like we practiced and stepped up onto the top step.

I leaned my belly across the saddle like we had before. I got off and bounced in place, as if I would bound right on top of him. He stood there, watching and listening to me carefully. Say I'm not scare of that any more, huh? I said with a small chuckle as I clicked the clicker several times then I grabbed some grain from my tummy pouch and gave him a small handful of grain. I found that this colt would do great with clicker training and he had been doing great so far. He nibbled on the grain I offered, attempting to bite my fingers as well but I ignored it for now, not wanting to have to get on an upset colt for his first ride.

I leaned against my belly again and in one slick move I moved my leg across his rump and sat up in the saddle. Timmy, the dark bay colt under me, stood there stunned. I felt him start to round his body in a buck but before he could release it, I clicked the clicker and got a handful of grain from my pouch.

Eagerly he turned his head back and looked at me as I reached forwards and offered him the grain. He ate it greedily, still munching and chewing on it as I slipped off his back and then walked back around to the mounting block.

I did this step several more times, each time he grew more and more eager for the rewards. His nerves dyed down and he was growing more c.ocky about the whole thing.

~The Next Day~

The next day I took him out once again, groomed and tacked in the old saddle and bridle. He was relaxed, but c.ocky about the whole thing now. I'd rather have him be c.ocky then scared or nervous though.

This time he stood there, still curious but eager to see if he would receive more grain from me. Like yesterday, I laid my tummy against the seat of the saddle then swung my leg around to the other side and sat up once more. He stood there, waiting for the clicker sound. I decided to wait a few seconds and see if his patients would last long enough for those few extra little moments before he got his grain.

With a rapid finger I pushed against the thin sheet of metal, making the rewarding clicking sound as my other hand grabbed some grain and reached forwards so his greedy lips could snag it up. I left my hand there, letting him get as many little pieces of grain as possible.

Even after I was sure there was none left, I let him continue to search my flat hand so I could stay aboard him for a bit longer. After a while I took my hand back and instead rubbed along his neck instead. Your not gonna have a fit, will ya' boy? I praised as stood there, waiting for me to get off and do the whole thing over again. Instead, I simply clicked to him again and offered more grain.

He seemed slightly confused but was happy for the grain which he munched on. Again, I left my hand there so he could eat every little grain of the treat.

Now was the hard part, getting him to move. Would he confused? Would he become annoyed? Would he just ignore me? Hundreds of possibilities raced though my mind as I pulled my hand back, letting it brushed down his neck a few times before I took a tight hold on the reins. I let the bit have light pressure on it like I did when I was ground driving.

He shifted and danced backwards a bit at the contact. He rolled onto his hocks, as if he may rear. I prepared myself but when he only stood their awkwardly, I clicked and gave him a small bit of grain, but only gave him a bite or two before I took my hand away and put it back on the reins.

Walk on, I said as I gently nudged his sides with my heels. He knew the voice command but would he follow it while I'm on his back. He stood there as if to say "Huh? You can't be serious!"

Walk on, I said again, my tone not changing one bit. He snorted once before taking a small step forwards, then another. With a click from the clicker, I gently pulled against the reins and said Whoa.

He stopped, though probably to waiting more for the treat then listening to my whoa and small pressure on the bit. It was quite evident that he wanted the treat more then to listen to me as he turned his head and flapped his lips in search of the grain. I released the reins and took a hand of grain and offered it to his flapping, greedy lips.

After a few bites, I pulled my hand back, letting the excess fall back onto the ground. He snorted, as if angry at my waste of grain. One more time, I told him with as I patted his neck. Then we are done! I typically kept training sessions short as many horses get overwhelmed with so many new things. Riding was probably the toughest thing for the young horses to get over.

And walk on, I said, nudging his sides again. This time he was quicker. He confidently walked a step, then another. His hind legs moved to keep up with the front as his front legs made another stride forwards.

Whoa, I said with a small pressure on the reins, this time not using the clicker for his walking. He threw his head at the pressure but listened and stopped his movements. Then the clicker sounded, chirping it's reward. He turned his head and I reached into my pouch to retrieve his prize. What a good boy! I cooed as he turned and munched on the grain my slightly cupped hand.

Once he was done with the grain (Or rather when I felt no more grain in my hand), I gave him one more pat before slipping off his back and onto the ground next to him. Such a good boy! I cooed again. The colt just searched me for more treats as I grabbed the reins under his bit and lead him out of the round pen.

Word Count: 1,350